Men who set a Norwood 1 baseline can document 100% of their lifetime hair loss and treatment response history. Norwood 1 means no significant recession or thinning, and that makes it the ideal moment to capture your peak density before any changes begin.
Most men only start paying attention to their hair after noticing loss. By then, months or years of gradual thinning have already occurred without documentation. Setting a baseline at Norwood 1 solves this by giving you a personal reference point that population averages cannot replace.
Why Your Personal Baseline Matters More Than Averages
Average follicular unit density varies by ethnicity. Caucasian hair averages 170 to 230 FU/cm2. Asian hair averages 140 to 200 FU/cm2. African hair averages 120 to 180 FU/cm2.
These ranges are wide. If your natural density is 225 FU/cm2 and you drop to 180 FU/cm2, that is a 20% loss. But 180 FU/cm2 still falls within the "normal" Caucasian range. Without your personal baseline, that significant loss looks normal on paper.
| Scenario | With Baseline | Without Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Density drops from 225 to 180 FU/cm2 | 20% loss detected immediately | Appears "within normal range" |
| Density drops from 160 to 140 FU/cm2 | 12.5% loss flagged | Appears normal for Asian hair |
| Treatment adds 15 FU/cm2 in crown | Measured as 8% recovery from baseline | No context for improvement |
Step 1: Choose the Right Time to Baseline
The ideal time to set a baseline is between ages 18 and 25, before androgenetic alopecia typically begins. If you have a family history of male pattern baldness (father, maternal grandfather, or maternal uncles affected), setting a baseline earlier gives you more lead time.
If you are already at Norwood 1 and over 25, set your baseline now. Every day you wait is a day of potential undocumented change.
Step 2: Capture All Five Scalp Zones
Take photos of five distinct zones under consistent lighting. Natural daylight or a bright bathroom light at the same angle each time produces the most reliable results.
| Zone | Photo Angle | What the AI Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | Straight on, face to camera | Hairline position in mm from brow ridge |
| Left temple | 45-degree left profile | Temple point recession angle |
| Right temple | 45-degree right profile | Temple point recession angle |
| Mid-scalp/crown | Top-down, looking straight down | Density per cm2 at the whorl |
| Occipital (donor) | Back of head | Donor area density per cm2 |
Upload all five photos to myhairline.ai/analyze. The AI processes each zone independently and stores the measurements as your personal baseline values.
Step 3: Record Your Context Data
Your baseline is more useful when paired with context. Note these details at the time of your first scan:
- Your age
- Current medications (especially finasteride, minoxidil, or any hormonal medications)
- Family history of hair loss (which relatives, approximate age of onset)
- Hair care routine (washing frequency, heat styling, chemical treatments)
This context helps interpret future changes. If density drops coincide with stopping a medication or increasing stress, the timeline tells the story.
Step 4: Schedule Your Follow-Up Scans
At Norwood 1 with no active loss, scan every 3 to 6 months. This frequency catches early changes without creating unnecessary anxiety.
Here is what to watch for in your follow-up data:
Stable (no action needed): All zones within 5% of baseline. This is normal at Norwood 1.
Early warning (monitor closely): Any zone drops 5-10% from baseline. Switch to monthly scanning and consider a dermatologist consultation.
Active change (take action): Any zone drops more than 10% from baseline. This suggests progression toward Norwood 2 (800 to 1,500 grafts if transplant is ever needed). Consult a dermatologist about starting finasteride, which halts further loss in 80-90% of men and produces regrowth in 65%.
What Your Norwood 1 Baseline Reveals Later
As years pass, your baseline becomes increasingly valuable. Here is how it translates at each future stage.
| Future Stage | Grafts If Needed | Your Baseline Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 | Exact density lost in frontal/temple zones |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,200 | Progression rate from your personal peak |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000-2,800 | Crown involvement timing and severity |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500-3,500 | Whether treatment slowed or accelerated loss |
| Norwood 5+ | 3,000-7,500 | Full lifetime density trajectory |
A surgeon planning a transplant at any stage benefits from seeing your peak density data. It helps them estimate how many grafts will restore your appearance to a natural-looking result rather than guessing from population averages.
The Cost of Not Having a Baseline
Without a personal baseline, every future measurement exists in a vacuum. You cannot calculate your personal progression rate. You cannot measure how much density a treatment recovered versus how much you originally had. You cannot give a surgeon your peak density data for transplant planning.
The scan is free and takes under 5 minutes. The data it produces lasts a lifetime.
Start Your Norwood 1 Baseline Today
Capture your peak density before any changes begin. Upload your photos at myhairline.ai/analyze and set the reference point that makes every future hair decision more informed.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any hair loss treatment.
FAQ
Why should I set a hair density baseline before I start losing hair?
A pre-loss baseline captures your peak density, which becomes the reference point for every future measurement. Without it, you can only compare against population averages rather than your own personal maximum. Men who set a Norwood 1 baseline can document 100% of their lifetime hair loss trajectory.
How do I set a Norwood 1 baseline in myhairline.ai?
Upload clear photos of your frontal hairline, both temples, mid-scalp, crown, and donor area under consistent lighting. The AI measures follicular unit density per cm2 in each zone and stores these as your personal baseline reference values.
What will my Norwood 1 baseline tell me at future Norwood stages?
At any future stage, your baseline shows exactly how much density you have lost in each zone compared to your personal peak. This is more precise than visual Norwood staging alone because it quantifies the loss in follicular units per cm2 rather than relying on pattern recognition.