Norwood 3 is the earliest stage where most reputable hair transplant surgeons will operate. You are likely a good candidate if your loss has been stable for 12 or more months, your donor area is healthy, and you understand that surgery addresses current loss but does not prevent future recession without ongoing medication.
The Five Candidacy Criteria
1. Age (25 or Older)
Surgeons generally require patients to be at least 25 years old. Hair loss patterns are still evolving in the early 20s, and transplanting too young creates two problems:
- The hairline design may not suit your face as you age
- Future loss behind the transplanted area creates an unnatural appearance
If you are under 25 and at Norwood 3, the standard recommendation is to start finasteride and wait for stabilization before considering surgery.
2. Stable Hair Loss (12+ Months)
Your surgeon needs evidence that the rate of loss has slowed or stopped. Transplanting into an actively receding scalp means chasing a moving target. The standard approach:
- Take finasteride (1mg daily) for at least 12 months
- Document your hairline with photos every 3 months
- Show your surgeon the photo timeline at consultation
If your hairline has not moved significantly in the past year on finasteride, you are considered stable enough for surgery.
3. Adequate Donor Density
The donor area (the permanent horseshoe band on the sides and back) must have enough density to supply the needed grafts without visible thinning. The key metrics:
| Metric | Good Candidate | Marginal | Poor Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donor density | 80+ FU/cm2 | 60-80 FU/cm2 | Below 60 FU/cm2 |
| Hair caliber | Thick (>60 microns) | Medium (40-60 microns) | Fine (<40 microns) |
| Scalp laxity | Flexible | Moderate | Tight |
| Avg hairs per graft | 2.2+ | 1.8-2.2 | Below 1.8 |
A densitometer reading is essential. Typical ethnic ranges: Caucasian 170-230 FU/cm2, African 120-180, Asian 140-200, Hispanic 145-195, Middle Eastern 150-210. Your surgeon will calculate the safe extraction limit (approximately 45% of donor follicles) to ensure the donor area retains natural-looking density.
4. Realistic Expectations
At Norwood 3, a transplant of 1,500-2,200 grafts restores the temple recessions and creates a natural-looking hairline. What it does not do:
- Guarantee you will never need another procedure (further loss may require future sessions)
- Produce the same density as a full head of hair (transplanted density averages 35-50 FU/cm2 vs. natural 170-230 FU/cm2, but strategic placement creates the illusion of fullness)
- Eliminate the need for finasteride (stopping medication risks losing non-transplanted native hair)
5. Good General Health
Hair transplant surgery is performed under local anesthesia and takes 4-8 hours at Norwood 3. You should be in good general health with:
- No uncontrolled medical conditions
- No blood clotting disorders
- No active scalp infections or conditions
- Realistic understanding of the recovery timeline
What the Procedure Looks Like at Norwood 3
Pre-Surgery
The surgeon draws the new hairline, typically setting it at a natural position for your age (slightly higher than a juvenile hairline). The design should account for potential future loss up to Norwood 5, so the result still looks natural in 10-20 years.
During Surgery
| Parameter | Norwood 3 Typical |
|---|---|
| Technique | FUE (0.7-1.0mm punch) |
| Graft count | 1,500-2,200 |
| Duration | 4-6 hours |
| Anesthesia | Local |
| Pain level | Mild discomfort |
Recovery
- Days 1-3: Swelling possible in forehead area, mild discomfort
- Days 4-7: Scabs form and begin to fall off
- Days 7-10: Most patients return to work and normal activities
- Weeks 3-4: Transplanted hairs shed (this is expected and normal)
- Months 3-4: New growth begins emerging
- Months 12-18: Final density and results visible
Graft survival rate: 90-95% with proper aftercare and an experienced surgeon.
Cost Expectations
| Region | Cost Per Graft | Total (1,800 Grafts Average) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1-2 | $1,800-3,600 |
| India | $0.50-1.50 | $900-2,700 |
| Europe | $2.50-4.50 | $4,500-8,100 |
| UK | $3-5 | $5,400-9,000 |
| USA | $4-6 | $7,200-10,800 |
These prices are for surgery only. Add finasteride ($10-30/month), minoxidil ($15-40/month), and optional PRP ($500-2,000/session) for the complete treatment cost.
Red Flags: When You Are Not Ready
Do not proceed with surgery if:
- Your loss is actively progressing and not stabilized on medication
- You are under 25 and the pattern is still evolving
- You want a Norwood 1 hairline. An overly aggressive hairline at Norwood 3 looks unnatural as you age.
- You are not willing to take finasteride. Without it, native hair behind the transplanted zone will continue thinning, potentially creating an odd-looking result.
- A clinic is pushing for surgery without asking about your medical history, medication use, or progression timeline. This is a sign of a profit-driven operation, not a patient-centered one.
Next Steps
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to confirm your Norwood stage and get an initial graft estimate. If the tool places you at Norwood 3 or 3V, book consultations with 2-3 board-certified hair transplant surgeons. Compare their hairline designs, graft estimates, and long-term treatment plans.
For graft counts by scalp zone, see the graft calculator. For a breakdown of all stages, read the Norwood scale stages guide.