The frontal pattern
The corners extend farther back and the remaining central front can appear more defined. Natural asymmetry can make one side look deeper.
Norwood 3 Vertex
Stage 3 Vertex adds noticeable crown involvement. It should not be confused with a small stable whorl or a flash highlight.
Compare cowlick and crown thinning →How it differs from stage 2
The distinction is one of visible pattern degree, but online images and self-estimates can disagree. Head shape, hairstyle and camera perspective affect the apparent depth of recession.
Do not use a stage to choose treatment
A stage does not establish cause, rate of change, contraindications or whether treatment is appropriate. Those decisions need appropriate professional context.
Sources
- Male pattern baldness: classification and incidence. Southern Medical Journal, 1975.
- A practical guide to the standardization of hair loss photography for clinicians. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2024.