Norwood 3 at age 38 means your temples have receded deeply enough to form a clear M-shaped pattern, with the frontal hairline sitting well above its original juvenile position. At 38, this is one of the most common hair loss stages, and the good news is that your pattern has had enough time to stabilize, making treatment decisions more straightforward than at younger ages.
What Norwood 3 Looks Like at 38
The hallmark of Norwood 3 is symmetrical temple recession that pushes 2 to 3 cm behind the original hairline. The frontal forelock usually remains intact, though it may show some thinning. At 38, most men at this stage have been aware of their recession for years.
| Norwood 3 at 38 | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple recession | 2 to 3 cm behind juvenile line |
| Frontal forelock | Usually present, may be thinning |
| Crown | Typically unaffected or mildly thin |
| Grafts needed | 1,500 to 2,200 |
| Pattern stability | Usually high by 38 |
Why 38 Is an Ideal Treatment Age
Your Pattern Is Highly Predictable
By 38, you have roughly 15 years of hair loss history. If you have progressed slowly from Norwood 2 to 3 over that period, your trajectory is clear. Surgeons can confidently design a hairline that will look natural at 48, 58, and beyond. This predictability reduces the risk of needing corrective procedures later.
Lower Progression Risk
Men whose hair loss stabilizes at Norwood 3 by their late 30s often stay there for years. While progression is always possible, the rate typically slows after 35. This means a transplant at 38 is less likely to be "outrun" by continued loss compared to the same procedure at 25.
Strong Donor Reserves
At 38, your donor area is still near its prime. The 1,500 to 2,200 grafts needed for Norwood 3 use only a small fraction of your lifetime donor budget, leaving thousands of grafts available for any future touch-ups.
Treatment Options
Medical Therapy
Medication works well at Norwood 3 because many follicles in the recession zone are miniaturized but still alive.
Finasteride (1mg daily)
- Halts further loss in 80 to 90% of men
- Regrowth in about 65%
- Peak results at 12 to 24 months
- Side effects in 2 to 4%, reversible on discontinuation
Minoxidil (5% topical, twice daily)
- 40 to 60% moderate regrowth
- Best results on temples and early crown thinning
- Visible improvement at 4 to 6 months
Hair Transplant
Norwood 3 at 38 is the "sweet spot" for transplant surgery. The graft count is manageable, the pattern is stable, and the results are highly predictable.
| Region | Cost Per Graft | Total (1,500 to 2,200 Grafts) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $1 to $2 | $1,500 to $4,400 |
| USA | $4 to $6 | $6,000 to $13,200 |
| UK | $3 to $5 | $4,500 to $11,000 |
| Europe | $2.50 to $4.50 | $3,750 to $9,900 |
FUE is the standard approach: 7 to 10 days recovery, 90 to 95% graft survival, minimal scarring. FUT is an alternative for men who want maximum grafts per session (up to 4,000) with 10 to 14 days recovery.
PRP as a Complement
PRP therapy at $500 to $2,000 per session can boost density by 30 to 40% in treated areas. At 38, PRP works well alongside medication or as post-transplant support to enhance graft growth.
Your Action Plan
- Get an AI assessment to confirm your exact Norwood stage
- Compare current photos to images from 1 to 3 years ago to gauge stability
- Start finasteride and minoxidil if you have not already
- After 12 months on medication, consult 2 to 3 transplant surgeons
- Choose a surgeon based on experience with Norwood 3 cases and hairline design quality
Read the full Norwood scale guide for context on all stages. Evaluate your readiness with our transplant candidacy guide.
Get your free AI hairline assessment to confirm your Norwood stage and start planning.
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 3 hair loss normal at 38?
Norwood 3 at 38 is a common presentation for men with androgenetic alopecia. About 50% of men show visible hair loss by their late 30s, and Norwood 3 is one of the most typical stages at this age. Deep temple recession forming an M-shape is the hallmark, and by 38 the pattern has usually been developing gradually for a decade or more.
What treatments work best for Norwood 3 at age 38?
Finasteride 1mg daily paired with minoxidil 5% is the medical standard. Finasteride halts loss in 80 to 90% of men and triggers regrowth in 65%. Minoxidil adds 40 to 60% moderate regrowth. If medications do not achieve the density you want, a hair transplant of 1,500 to 2,200 grafts can fill the temple zones. Many men at 38 with Norwood 3 are excellent transplant candidates.
Should I get a hair transplant at age 38 with Norwood 3?
Age 38 with Norwood 3 is one of the best transplant scenarios. Your loss pattern has had nearly 15 years to establish itself, giving surgeons high confidence in hairline design. The 1,500 to 2,200 grafts needed are moderate, preserving ample donor supply. Most surgeons consider 38 to be a prime age because progression risk is lower and the remaining pattern is highly predictable.