Point of no return

[mockg]

I was wondering on the Norwood scale what the point of no return is? Basicly the point where nothing but a hair transplant will fix. Right now I am in between a Norwood 3 and norwood 4. Thinking about going to a dermatologist to see if they can help out at all.

[CIT_Girl]

Medical therapies (such as Propecia or Rogaine) are quite successful at stabilizing hair loss, however, with the exception of a few lucky individuals, they are generally not going to re-grow your hair (particularly from a Norwood stage 3 or 4). There are a number of treatment options you can try but, generally speaking, hair restoration surgery will be the only permanent 'solution' for hair loss. This isn't to say that medical therapies aren't worth trying, particularly from the standpoint of wanting to maintain what hair you do have for as long as possible. I'd say that it's definitely worth speaking with a dermatologist to discuss your options.

[mockg]

Yeah there is no way I would try hair transplant surgery yet. First of all I cant afford it and second I think me being 22 I am to young to do the surgery. I was just kinda wondering at what point on the Norwood scale that most dotors recommend the surgery over the medications?

[CIT_Girl]

I definitely agree that you are very young to be considering a hair transplant procedure. I wouldn't say that there is a threshold on the Norwood scale, after which doctors recommend hair transplantation. It's really more of a personal decision each patient needs to make based on how satisfied (or dissatisfied) they are with their hair and appearance. Even if a patient opts for hair restoration surgery, many doctors will recommend that they use medical therapy in conjunction with the procedure in order to achieve and maintain the best possible results.

[mattj]

All good advice from CIT_Girl. Unfortunately, there really isn't a position on the NW scale that you can return from. Some guys who experience loss at only the crown have essentially reversed it with the standard meds, but that's about it.