Guide
Am I Balding?
The real signs of androgenic alopecia vs. normal shedding: miniaturization, temple recession, crown thinning, and what to do at each Norwood stage.
Signs you're actually balding (not just shedding)
Normal hair cycling causes shedding every day—this is not balding. These are the actual early warning signs:
Temple Recession
Corners of the hairline pulling back symmetrically from the temples toward the crown. Compare photos from 2–3 years apart.
Miniaturized Hairs
Hairs near the hairline or crown that are visibly shorter, finer, and lighter in color than the surrounding hair. This is the key diagnostic sign.
Diffuse Crown Thinning
The crown (vertex) appears thinner in overhead lighting or wet-hair conditions even without a receding hairline.
Increasing Scalp Visibility
More scalp visible in photos taken in bright, overhead light compared to photos from 1–2 years earlier.
The earlier you act, the more you keep
Finasteride and minoxidil are most effective as preservation tools, not restoration tools. Starting at Norwood 2 preserves far more than starting at Norwood 4 and trying to regrow.
LooksMeter's Hairline Analyzer gives you your current Norwood stage from a photo so you know exactly where you stand before deciding whether to act.
Frequently asked
How do I know if I'm balding or just shedding?
Normal shedding is 50–100 hairs per day without recession. Balding shows up as a receding hairline (temples pulling back), crown thinning visible in overhead lighting, miniaturized hairs (shorter, thinner than surrounding hair), or scalp clearly visible when hair is wet.
What Norwood stage am I?
The Norwood scale has 7 stages. Stage 1–2 is a mature hairline with minimal recession. Stage 3 is the first clinically significant recession. Stage 4–5 is moderate balding with crown involvement. Stage 6–7 is advanced balding where temple and crown areas merge. LooksMeter's Hairline Analyzer places you on the scale from a single photo.
At what age does balding start?
Male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) can begin as early as 17–18 in genetically predisposed individuals. About 25% of men start noticeably thinning before 21. By 35, around 40% of men have some visible hair loss.
What stops hair loss early?
Finasteride (1mg daily) blocks DHT, the androgen responsible for follicle miniaturization, and is clinically proven to halt or reverse early-stage loss. Minoxidil (topical or oral) boosts follicle blood supply. Both work significantly better in Norwood 2–3 than in later stages.
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This page is general information about facial aesthetics terminology, not medical or cosmetic advice. Scores from our tools are AI-generated estimates for entertainment and self-reflection.