Norwood 2 at age 35 means your temples have receded slightly beyond the juvenile hairline, but you still have a full head of hair across the top and crown. This is the most common early-stage presentation for men in their mid-30s, and the good news is that you have every treatment option available to you.
What Norwood 2 Looks Like at 35
Norwood 2 involves slight recession at both temples, creating a subtle M-shaped hairline. At 35, this is often mistaken for a "mature hairline," which is a natural adult adjustment that affects most men by their late 20s. The key difference is progression: if your temples continue receding over months, that signals androgenetic alopecia rather than simple maturation.
| Feature | Mature Hairline | Norwood 2 (Active Loss) |
|---|---|---|
| Temple recession | 1 to 1.5 cm | 1.5 to 2+ cm |
| Progression | Stable after mid-20s | Continues over months |
| Miniaturization | Minimal | Visible under magnification |
| Family history | Variable | Often present |
Your Treatment Options
Medication First
At Norwood 2, medication is your strongest starting move. You have plenty of follicles that are miniaturized but still alive, meaning they respond well to DHT-blocking treatment.
Finasteride (1mg daily)
- Halts further hair loss in 80 to 90% of men
- Produces visible regrowth in about 65%
- Results appear at 3 to 6 months, peak at 12 to 24 months
- Side effects occur in 2 to 4% of users and are reversible on discontinuation
Minoxidil (5% topical, twice daily)
- Produces moderate regrowth in 40 to 60% of users
- Works independently of DHT, stimulates blood flow to follicles
- Results visible at 4 to 6 months
- Can be combined with finasteride for better outcomes
PRP Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy costs $500 to $2,000 per session and can increase hair density by 30 to 40%. At Norwood 2, PRP works well as an add-on to medication, not a standalone treatment. Expect 3 to 4 initial sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Hair Transplant
A transplant at Norwood 2 requires only 800 to 1,500 grafts, making it one of the smallest and most affordable procedures.
| Region | Cost Per Graft | Total (800 to 1,500 Grafts) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1 to $2 | $800 to $3,000 |
| USA | $4 to $6 | $3,200 to $9,000 |
| UK | $3 to $5 | $2,400 to $7,500 |
FUE is the most common technique at this stage, with 7 to 10 days of recovery and 90 to 95% graft survival. However, most surgeons recommend stabilizing with finasteride for at least 12 months first to ensure the loss pattern is predictable.
The 35-Year-Old Advantage
At 35, you have a significant advantage over younger men considering treatment. Your hair loss pattern is more stable than it was at 25, which means a surgeon can design a hairline with confidence that it will look natural as you age. You also have enough time to try medication, monitor results, and then decide on surgery with real data rather than guesswork.
What to Do Right Now
- Get an AI assessment to confirm your Norwood stage objectively
- Schedule a dermatologist consultation about finasteride
- Start documenting your hairline with photos every 3 months
- If on medication for 12+ months and still unhappy, consult a transplant surgeon
For a detailed overview of all seven Norwood stages, read the complete Norwood scale guide. If you are wondering whether surgery is right for you, check our hair transplant candidacy assessment.
Get your free AI hairline assessment to confirm your current Norwood stage and start tracking changes today.
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.
FAQ
Is Norwood 2 hair loss normal at 35?
Yes, Norwood 2 is very common at age 35. About 40% of men show some visible hair loss by 35, and Norwood 2 represents the earliest stage of noticeable recession. At this stage, your temples have receded slightly from your juvenile hairline, but the change is often so gradual that many men do not realize it has happened.
What treatments work best for Norwood 2 at age 35?
Finasteride 1mg daily is the most effective first-line treatment for Norwood 2, halting further loss in 80 to 90% of men and producing regrowth in about 65%. Adding minoxidil 5% applied twice daily can boost results, with 40 to 60% of users seeing moderate regrowth. At this mild stage, medication alone is often enough to restore density without surgery.
Should I get a hair transplant at age 35 with Norwood 2?
Most doctors recommend trying medication for 12 months before considering a transplant at Norwood 2. If recession is limited to the temples and bothers you cosmetically, a small session of 800 to 1,500 grafts can restore a natural hairline. However, starting finasteride first stabilizes your loss pattern and helps your surgeon plan for the long term.