Norwood 6 before and after results show what is achievable when 4,000 to 6,000 grafts are placed strategically across the frontal, mid-scalp, and crown zones. The outcomes are significant but not total restoration. Understanding what real results look like at this stage prevents unrealistic expectations and helps you evaluate surgeon quality.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified hair loss specialist before making any treatment decisions.
What Determines a Good Norwood 6 Result
Before examining specific case profiles, it helps to understand the variables that separate strong results from disappointing ones.
Graft count and distribution: At Norwood 6, the bald area spans 200 to 250 cm2. Placing 5,000 grafts across this area produces approximately 25 grafts per cm2 on average, which is roughly 35 to 40% of natural density. Strategic distribution (more in the front, less in the crown) creates the perception of more hair than uniform coverage would.
Hair characteristics: Each graft contains an average of 2.2 hairs. Coarse hair (above 70 microns) provides more coverage per graft. Curly or wavy hair occupies more lateral space, increasing visual density. Low hair-to-skin contrast (dark hair on dark skin, light hair on light skin) is more forgiving at reduced densities.
Hairline design: The hairline is the single most visible element. A well-designed, age-appropriate hairline at Norwood 6 sits approximately 7 to 9 cm above the brow and features a natural, slightly irregular border with single-hair grafts at the very front.
Surgeon experience: Norwood 6 is among the most technically demanding cases. The surgeon must plan graft distribution across a large area with limited supply, design a natural hairline, and execute multi-hour sessions with high graft survival. Experience with 200 or more Norwood 5-7 cases per year is a reasonable benchmark.
Case Profile 1: Conservative Frontal Approach (FUE, Single Session)
Patient profile: 45-year-old male, Norwood 6, medium hair caliber (60 microns), straight dark hair on light skin, average donor density (72 FU/cm2).
Treatment plan: Single FUE session, 3,500 grafts. Focus on frontal zone and anterior mid-scalp only. Crown left untreated.
Graft distribution:
| Zone | Grafts Placed | Density Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 1,200 | 35-38 grafts/cm2 |
| Anterior mid-scalp | 1,500 | 28-30 grafts/cm2 |
| Transition zone | 800 | 20-22 grafts/cm2 |
| Crown | 0 | Untreated |
Result at 14 months: Strong frontal frame with natural hairline. Good density in the front half of the scalp. Visible transition to thinning in the posterior mid-scalp and bare crown. Patient reported satisfaction because the frontal result was the primary goal. The crown was managed with hair fibers and minoxidil.
Key takeaway: A single-session, front-focused approach at Norwood 6 produces the most dramatic visual change relative to graft investment. The face is framed, and the appearance at conversational distance changes significantly.
Case Profile 2: Two-Session Full Coverage (FUE, Two Sessions)
Patient profile: 38-year-old male, Norwood 6, coarse hair (75 microns), wavy dark brown hair on olive skin, good donor density (80 FU/cm2).
Treatment plan: Two FUE sessions spaced 10 months apart. Total: 5,500 grafts.
Session 1 (3,200 grafts):
| Zone | Grafts Placed |
|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 1,100 |
| Mid-scalp | 1,400 |
| Anterior crown | 700 |
Session 2 (2,300 grafts):
| Zone | Grafts Placed |
|---|---|
| Crown center | 1,000 |
| Mid-scalp density addition | 800 |
| Frontal density addition | 500 |
Result at 24 months (14 months post-second session): Comprehensive coverage across all zones. Frontal density appeared near-natural due to coarse, wavy hair. Crown coverage visible but thinner than the front, creating a natural density gradient. No obvious bald patches at any angle.
Key takeaway: Coarse, wavy hair on a complexion-matched skin tone is the ideal scenario for Norwood 6 results. This patient's characteristics allowed 5,500 grafts to create the appearance of significantly more coverage than the same count would achieve in a fine, straight-haired patient.
Case Profile 3: Combined FUT + FUE (Two Sessions)
Patient profile: 50-year-old male, Norwood 6, fine hair (45 microns), straight gray-blonde hair on fair skin, average donor density (70 FU/cm2).
Treatment plan: FUT first session (3,800 grafts from strip), FUE second session (2,000 grafts) 12 months later. Total: 5,800 grafts.
Session 1 FUT (3,800 grafts):
| Zone | Grafts Placed |
|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 1,300 |
| Mid-scalp | 1,800 |
| Anterior crown | 700 |
Session 2 FUE (2,000 grafts):
| Zone | Grafts Placed |
|---|---|
| Crown | 1,200 |
| Mid-scalp density addition | 500 |
| Frontal density addition | 300 |
Result at 26 months: Good frontal and mid-scalp coverage. Crown showed visible but modest improvement. The fine, straight hair provided less coverage per graft, and the high contrast (dark scalp visible through lighter hair) made the reduced density more apparent than in cases with coarser hair. Patient supplemented with scalp micropigmentation in the crown for added density perception.
Key takeaway: Fine, straight, high-contrast hair is the most challenging combination at Norwood 6. Even with nearly 6,000 grafts, the visual density at reduced planting rates is lower than what coarser hair achieves. Combining surgery with SMP in the crown addresses this limitation effectively.
Case Profile 4: DHI Precision Approach (Two Sessions)
Patient profile: 42-year-old male, Norwood 6, medium-coarse hair (65 microns), black curly hair on dark skin, good donor density (78 FU/cm2).
Treatment plan: Two DHI sessions. Total: 5,000 grafts (3,000 + 2,000).
Result at 22 months: Among the strongest outcomes in this set. The combination of curly black hair on dark skin provided exceptional coverage per graft. The DHI technique allowed precise angle control, creating natural whorl patterns in the crown. Density appeared near-natural in the frontal zone and adequate across all areas.
Key takeaway: Afro-textured and curly hair types achieve the most visually impressive Norwood 6 results because each graft covers more scalp surface area. DHI's precise angle control is particularly valuable for creating natural curl direction patterns.
What Separates a Good Surgeon From an Average One
Reviewing before and after results across multiple cases, the surgeon-dependent factors become clear.
Hairline irregularity: Natural hairlines are not perfectly straight or symmetrical. The best results feature micro-irregularity along the hairline border, created by placing single-hair grafts at varied angles and depths. A ruler-straight hairline looks artificial regardless of density.
Density gradient: Good surgeons create a gradient from higher density at the hairline (35 to 40 grafts/cm2) through moderate density in the mid-scalp (25 to 30 grafts/cm2) to lower density in the crown (20 to 25 grafts/cm2). This mimics natural thinning patterns and avoids a stark contrast between treated and untreated zones.
Graft angulation: Hair grows at specific angles across different scalp zones (acute at the hairline, more perpendicular at the crown). Correct angulation creates natural lay and movement. Incorrect angles produce a "pluggy" appearance even with modern individual graft placement.
Conservative approach: The best Norwood 6 results come from surgeons who do not overpromise. A mature, slightly higher hairline with good density always looks better than an aggressively low hairline with thin coverage.
How to Evaluate Before and After Photos
When reviewing a surgeon's gallery, look for:
- Consistent lighting and angles between before and after images (same camera distance, same lighting conditions)
- Dry hair photos (wet hair appears thicker and can be misleading)
- Multiple angles including top-down views that show crown coverage
- Timeline stated (results at 6 months look very different from 14 months)
- Similar Norwood stage to your own (a Norwood 4 result does not predict a Norwood 6 outcome)
- Similar hair characteristics (caliber, color, texture) to yours
Be cautious of photos that show only the frontal view at a specific angle, use heavy product styling, or do not disclose the graft count and timeline.
For detailed guidance on hairline positioning and design at this stage, see our Norwood 6 hairline design principles. For an honest assessment of what is and is not achievable, review our Norwood 6 realistic expectations guide.
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI-powered Norwood assessment. Understanding your current stage and hair characteristics is the starting point for estimating what your results could look like.
FAQ
How many grafts were used in typical Norwood 6 before and after photos?
Most published Norwood 6 before and after results involve 4,000 to 6,000 grafts placed across one or two sessions. Single-session results typically show 3,000 to 4,500 grafts, while two-session results show the full 5,000 to 6,000 graft range. Results with fewer than 3,500 grafts at Norwood 6 typically show only partial frontal coverage.
Why do some Norwood 6 results look better than others?
The visual outcome depends on hair caliber, hair-to-skin contrast, curl pattern, graft placement density, and hairline design. A patient with coarse, wavy, low-contrast hair achieves more visual coverage per graft than a patient with fine, straight, high-contrast hair. Surgeon skill in graft placement angle and distribution also plays a major role.
How long after surgery do final Norwood 6 results appear?
Final results from a single session appear at 12 to 14 months post-surgery. For two-session plans, the complete result is visible 12 to 14 months after the second session, which typically means 24 to 30 months from the first procedure. Growth is gradual, with noticeable improvement starting at month 5 to 6.