Norwood 4 Hair Loss And Hair Transplant Surgery: Everything You Need To Know

Norwood 4 hair loss is a stage on the hair loss scale and shows significant loss, with a receding hairline that may start to look like a ‘U’ from above. The bald spot on your crown can also be larger, but you will still have some hair between it and your hairline. A combination of age, genetics or underlying health conditions can cause this type of hair loss.

The right treatment for Norwood 4 hair loss will depend on how extensive your loss is, which experts measure using the Norwood scale. This scale has seven stages, each defining a different type of hair loss. 

Hair loss is a common problem among men, but the good news is that there are treatments available to help restore your hair and confidence. 

There are a number of possible solutions for Norwood 4 hair loss, including hair transplants and hair loss medications. In this blog post, we look at the eligibility criteria for a hair transplant, how much it can cost and what recovery from a hair transplant for Norwood 4 hair loss can look like.

Eligibility criteria for hair transplant surgery in Norwood 4 hair loss

Our hair transplant experts can tailor surgery to your needs, but you must fit certain criteria to be eligible. Some key criteria include: 

• How much hair you have lost
• What your hairline looks like currently
• How old you are and the chances of future loss due to age
• Whether further hairline recession is preventable with medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil
• How much available hair you have to use as donor follicles for the transplant

With Norwood 4 hair loss, your recession or balding may be extensive and uncontrolled. Our Surgeons may therefore recommend you explore controlling your hair loss before undergoing surgery.

Hair transplant surgery for Norwood 4 hair loss patients can be carried out but for some patients the outcome may not be what they are looking to achieve. An in depth consultation with our Surgeons will help you understand the limitations of surgery and what can be achieved.

Hair transplants are simple procedures, but some people may be ineligible for medical reasons. For example, if you have hair loss caused by alopecia areata (bald patches), you may not be able to have a hair transplant. The reason is that your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, so any newly transplanted follicles will shed.

You should also consider the psychological impact of having a hair transplant. Although the results can be excellent, it can take up to 18 months to see the full effects. You must be ready to go through the process of growing your hair back over a long period, so having a support network can help. 

Different techniques for Norwood 4 hair transplant surgery

Various hair transplants are available, with different techniques used to create the best results for Norwood 4 hair loss. 

Follicular unit transplantation (FUT) removes a thin strip of your scalp near the back of your head. This strip is divided into sections of follicles and placed into areas of balding through small incisions. You will have a linear scar on the back of your head, which you can cover with your remaining hair.

Follicular unit excision (FUE) is a hair transplant technique where a surgeon removes individual hair follicles and implants them into your scalp by making tiny incisions. With this method, you will have much less visible scarring at shorter hair lengths. 

Which technique is right if I have Norwood 4 hair loss?

The right hair transplant for you will depend on different factors, including how much hair loss you are experiencing. 

As Norwood 4 hair loss is quite advanced, you may benefit from an approach to address your current level of hair loss and prevent it from getting worse. This can often require medications like Finasteride and Minoxidil to halt the progression of hair loss. You can also consider a hair transplant to restore hair where you have lost it.

How much would a hair transplant surgery for Norwood 4 hair loss cost?

At The Treatment Rooms London, we offer FUE hair transplants. The cost of this can vary depending on how many grafts and surgical sessions you need. Norwood 4 hair loss is fairly advanced, so you may need more hair grafts to cover the larger balding areas. 

Other factors that can change the cost of a hair transplant for Norwood 4 hair loss include: 

• Your hair type
• Your hair texture
• If you prefer a shaven or unshaven surgery

The average price for a hair transplant ranges from £4,000 to £10,000 or more. At our clinic, we charge £5 to £6 per graft, so if you need 1,000 grafts, your hair transplant could cost you between £5,000 and  £6,000.

We understand the cost of a hair transplant for Norwood 4 hair loss can be daunting, so we offer customisable finance plans. You can choose how much you wish to borrow, the loan term’s length and the duration of the repayment schedule (up to 12 months). You can also pay a deposit to reduce your total amount repayable.   

Recovery process and timeline for Norwood 4 patients

After your hair transplant, you can expect to recover fully after 10 to 14 days. However, it can take several months to see the results of the procedure. During the first few days, you will experience some tenderness and swelling of your scalp and scabs will develop. You can alleviate any minor pain or swelling with over-the-counter pain relief medication. 

You must take good care of your scalp during your recovery and follow any instructions provided. We will suggest wearing a cap for the first few days to protect your scalp from the elements. You must also avoid washing your hair until at least day five of your recovery, as you do not want to disturb the implanted follicles. 

It is normal to experience shedding during recovery. After two weeks, your hair will shed in the area that received the transplanted follicles. However, after 2-3 months, they should begin to grow back through. 

Proper aftercare allows you to get the best results from your procedure and maintain them for longer. Patience is key when you have a hair transplant with Norwood 4 hair loss; it can take up to 18 months to realise the full results. A Norwood 4 is classed as advanced hair loss, so we sometimes recommend using other hair loss treatments together with the transplant to help prevent further loss.

Book a consultation with The Treatment Rooms London

Although Norwood 4 hair loss can appear as extensive hair loss, you can restore your hair with the help of a hair transplant. Results can vary depending on many factors, but you’ll be able to see significant regrowth over time. 

If you are experiencing Norwood 4 hair loss and considering a hair transplant, book a consultation with our expert team at The Treatment Rooms London. We will be happy to review your hair, provide realistic expectations and answer any questions you may have. 

Sources

• https://www.healthline.com/health/norwood-scale 
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327001 
• https://www.treatmentroomslondon.com/fue-hair-transplant/is-fue-right-for-me/ 
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/hair-transplant/