Norwood 5 at age 60 means the hair loss areas at your hairline and vertex have nearly merged, with only a narrow band of hair separating them. This is an advanced stage, but it is also one of the most common presentations for men in their 60s, and effective treatment options remain available.
What Norwood 5 Looks Like at 60
At Norwood 5, the frontal recession and vertex thinning have expanded until only a thin strip of hair connects them. The remaining hair forms a clear horseshoe pattern. Total hair loss area is substantial, covering most of the top and crown of the scalp.
At 60, this pattern is typically the final stage of your hair loss. Progression from Norwood 5 to 6 or 7 after age 60 is possible but tends to happen slowly over many years, if at all.
Graft Requirements and Surgical Planning
| Area | Graft Allocation | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 1,200 to 1,800 grafts | High, frames the face |
| Midscalp bridge | 800 to 1,200 grafts | Medium, connects front to crown |
| Vertex (crown) | 1,000 to 1,500 grafts | Lower, less visible |
| Total | 3,000 to 4,500 grafts | Single or staged sessions |
Strategic Graft Placement
At Norwood 5, a skilled surgeon prioritizes the areas that create the most visual impact. The frontal hairline and frontal third of the scalp receive the highest graft density because this is what people see when facing you. The vertex receives fewer grafts, focused on creating the appearance of coverage rather than full density.
This strategic approach maximizes the cosmetic result from a finite donor supply.
Procedure Details
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) is the standard approach:
- Grafts needed: 3,000 to 4,500
- Sessions: 1 to 2 (depending on donor capacity)
- Recovery: 7 to 10 days
- Graft survival: 90 to 95%
- Final results: 9 to 12 months post-procedure
FUE can extract up to 5,000 grafts per session, so most Norwood 5 cases can be addressed in a single procedure. However, if your donor density is on the lower end, your surgeon may recommend staging the procedure across two sessions.
Cost Estimates for 3,000 to 4,500 Grafts
| Location | Cost per Graft | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $4 to $6 | $12,000 to $27,000 |
| UK | $3 to $5 | $9,000 to $22,500 |
| Turkey | $1 to $2 | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| Europe | $2.50 to $4.50 | $7,500 to $20,250 |
| India | $0.50 to $1.50 | $1,500 to $6,750 |
| Thailand | $1.50 to $3 | $4,500 to $13,500 |
Medical Treatment to Support Surgery
Medication protects your remaining native hair, which is essential for blending with transplanted grafts.
Finasteride (1mg daily) halts further loss in 80 to 90% of men and produces regrowth in about 65%. Starting before or after a transplant helps preserve the thin bridge area that is critical for natural-looking results.
Minoxidil (5% topical, twice daily) produces moderate regrowth in 40 to 60% of users. It is especially helpful at Norwood 5 for thickening miniaturized hairs in the transition zones between bald and covered areas.
PRP therapy ($500 to $2,000 per session) increases density by 30 to 40% and can be used both to prepare the scalp before surgery and to support healing afterward.
Donor Area Reality Check
At 60 with Norwood 5, your donor area capacity is the single most important factor in your surgical plan. The safe extraction limit is 45% of donor follicles. A donor area assessment will measure your follicular unit density and calculate the maximum number of grafts available.
If your donor supply cannot support 3,000 to 4,500 grafts in one session, consider:
- Staging across two sessions (12+ months apart)
- Combining FUE with body hair transplant (beard or chest donor)
- Using SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation) to enhance the appearance of density between grafts
Get Your Personalized Assessment
Find out exactly where you stand on the Norwood scale and whether your donor area can support a transplant at your stage. Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI assessment with graft estimates and treatment recommendations.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration specialist before starting any treatment.