3 Ways to Evaluate Female Pattern Baldness

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The Pull Test

The hair pull test is, in essence, very simple. You can take a few strands between your thumb and forefinger and pull on them gently. Anagen, growing hairs should remain rooted in place while hairs in telogen phase should come out easily. By knowing how many hairs were pulled and the number that came out, you can roughly work out the percentage of hair follicles in a telogen state. So if you pull on 20 hairs and 2 come out, then the frequency of telogen hair follicles is 10%. As a (very) rough guide, a 10% telogen frequency is excellent, up to 25% is typical, over 35% is a potential problem.

Grading Fusion Scale

Look over the top of your ear or nape of your neck. Make a part from the top of your head down to the ear, or top of your head down to the nape of the neck.
Ludwig Scale
If you have a percentage in the following you can grade it:

  • 10% – 20% = Grade 1
  • 20% – 50% = Grade 2
  • 60% – 80% = Grade 3
  • 90% – 100% = Grade 4

Pattern

Female pattern hair loss or baldness started behind the hairline and defuses down to the nape of the neck.

  • 1″ behind front hairline
  • 3″ on the top of the head
  • 4″ going back to crown
  • 5″ or more going from the front hairline to the occipital bone and ear to ear
  • all the way to the name of the neck

Women can have, “male patter baldness” (MPB) as well. MPB recedes in from, thins out in the crown. It generally does not go beyond the occipital bone.