At Norwood 7, treatment options range from surgical hair restoration to cosmetic alternatives, and each comes with distinct tradeoffs in coverage, cost, and maintenance. This guide ranks every available option by evidence strength and suitability for this advanced stage.
Surgical Treatment Options
1. FUE Hair Transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE is the most commonly performed transplant technique worldwide. Individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area using a 0.7 to 1.0 mm micro-punch, then implanted into the bald recipient zone.
At Norwood 7, FUE specifics:
- Graft requirement: 5,500-7,500 total (across 2+ sessions)
- Maximum per session: approximately 5,000 grafts
- Recovery time: 7-10 days per session
- Graft survival rate: 90-95%
- Scarring: scattered micro-dots in donor area (not visible at most hair lengths)
Best for: Men who want to keep their hair short (no linear scar) and have adequate donor density.
2. FUT Hair Transplant (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
FUT removes a strip of donor scalp, from which follicular units are dissected under stereomicroscopy. The strip method allows harvesting of more multi-hair grafts, which can be advantageous for Norwood 7's large coverage needs.
At Norwood 7, FUT specifics:
- Maximum per session: approximately 4,000 grafts
- Recovery time: 10-14 days per session
- Graft survival rate: 90-95%
- Scarring: linear scar (concealable at 2 cm+ hair length)
Best for: Men willing to keep hair slightly longer in the back, and those who want to maximize total graft yield when combined with a follow-up FUE session.
3. DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
DHI uses a Choi implanter pen to place grafts directly without pre-made recipient sites. It offers precise control over angle, depth, and direction.
At Norwood 7, DHI specifics:
- Maximum per session: approximately 3,500 grafts
- Recovery time: 7-10 days
- Graft survival rate: 90-95%
Limitation: The lower per-session capacity means Norwood 7 patients would need 2 to 3 sessions with DHI alone. This makes it less efficient than FUE or FUT for high-volume cases. DHI is sometimes used for the hairline zone only (where precise angle control matters most), with FUE or FUT covering the rest.
4. Combined FUT + FUE (Maximum Yield)
For Norwood 7, combining FUT in one session and FUE in another maximizes total graft harvest. FUT takes follicles via strip excision, and FUE later extracts additional units from around the healed strip area.
Total yield: 5,000-7,500 grafts across two sessions.
Best for: Norwood 7 patients who need the absolute maximum graft count from a limited donor area.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
5. Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
SMP uses specialized tattoo equipment to deposit pigment dots into the scalp, mimicking the appearance of hair follicles at a very short buzz-cut length.
At Norwood 7, SMP specifics:
- Requires 2-4 sessions over several weeks
- Cost: $2,000-$4,000 for full scalp
- No recovery downtime
- Lasts 3-5 years before touch-up needed
- No donor area required
Best for: Men who prefer a shaved or closely cropped look, those with insufficient donor supply for transplant, or as a complement to a transplant to create the illusion of higher density.
6. Hair Systems (Non-Surgical Hair Replacement)
Modern hair systems use breathable polyurethane or Swiss lace bases bonded to the scalp with medical adhesive. Human hair is knotted into the base to match existing hair color and texture.
At Norwood 7, hair system specifics:
- Provides immediate, full-density coverage
- Monthly maintenance: $100-$300 (cleaning, re-bonding, replacement every 2-4 months)
- Annual cost: $2,000-$5,000
- No surgery, no scarring, no recovery time
Best for: Men who want the appearance of a full head of hair immediately, those who are not surgical candidates, or those who want to test a look before committing to transplant.
7. Finasteride (1 mg Daily)
Finasteride blocks DHT, the hormone responsible for follicle miniaturization.
At Norwood 7, finasteride's role:
- Does not regrow hair on long-bald areas of the scalp
- Protects remaining donor fringe hair from further thinning
- Halts further loss in 80-90% of men
- Produces regrowth in 65% of users (primarily in areas with recently miniaturized follicles)
- Side effects: 2-4% experience sexual side effects
Best for: All Norwood 7 men considering transplant (to protect donor area) or those using any other treatment.
8. Minoxidil (Topical 5% or Low-Dose Oral)
Minoxidil prolongs the anagen growth phase and may improve follicle blood supply.
At Norwood 7, minoxidil's role:
- Moderate regrowth in 40-60% of users in areas with miniaturized (not dead) follicles
- Onset: 4-6 months for visible effect
- Best used to maintain donor area density and transition zone hair
- Must be used continuously; stopping reverses gains
Best for: Adjunct to finasteride. Together, they form the standard medical therapy baseline for any Norwood 7 patient.
9. PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP involves concentrating growth factors from your own blood and injecting them into the scalp.
At Norwood 7, PRP specifics:
- Cost: $500-$2,000 per session
- Protocol: 3 initial sessions, then quarterly maintenance
- Can increase density by 30-40% in areas with miniaturized but living follicles
- Not effective on long-bald, follicle-free areas
Best for: Supporting transplanted grafts post-surgery and maintaining donor area density. Not a standalone treatment at Norwood 7.
Treatment Comparison Summary
| Treatment | Coverage | Cost (Total) | Maintenance | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUE (2 sessions) | Moderate | $11,000-$45,000 | Minimal | 7-10 days x2 |
| FUT + FUE | Moderate-High | $11,000-$45,000 | Minimal | 10-14 days + 7-10 days |
| DHI (2-3 sessions) | Moderate | $14,000-$52,000 | Minimal | 7-10 days x2-3 |
| SMP | Cosmetic (shaved look) | $2,000-$4,000 | Touch-up every 3-5 years | None |
| Hair System | Full | $2,000-$5,000/year | Monthly | None |
| Finasteride | Stabilization only | $240-$600/year | Daily pill | None |
| Minoxidil | Stabilization only | $180-$480/year | Daily application | None |
| PRP | Supportive | $2,000-$8,000/year | Quarterly | None |
Building Your Treatment Plan
The most effective approach at Norwood 7 combines multiple treatments:
- Start finasteride and minoxidil to stabilize remaining hair and protect donor area
- Get surgical consultations from at least two surgeons (see what Norwood 7 looks like for what to expect)
- Assess donor supply to determine if full coverage, frontal-only, or SMP is the best path
- Proceed with surgery and/or SMP based on your donor assessment and goals
- Continue medical therapy after surgery to protect native and transplanted hair
Upload your photos at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI assessment to confirm your Norwood stage and get a preliminary graft estimate before consultations.
FAQ
What is the best treatment for Norwood 7?
The best treatment depends on donor supply and goals. Hair transplant surgery (FUE or FUT, 5,500 to 7,500 grafts over multiple sessions) is the gold standard for restoration. Scalp micropigmentation is the best option for men who prefer a shaved look or lack donor supply. Hair systems offer the most immediate and complete coverage.
Can you regrow hair at Norwood 7?
Medications like finasteride and minoxidil cannot regrow hair in areas that have been completely bald for years. At Norwood 7, the follicles on top of the scalp have been dormant too long for medical therapy to reactivate them. Transplant surgery moves living follicles from the donor area to the bald area.
Is Norwood 7 too late for a hair transplant?
Norwood 7 is not too late for a hair transplant, but expectations must be realistic. With 5,500 to 7,500 grafts across two or more sessions, patients can achieve a visible hairline and moderate density. Full native density is not achievable due to donor supply limits.