A three-grade scale used to describe female pattern hair loss over the crown.
The Ludwig scale is one of the classic systems for grading female pattern hair loss. Grade I describes mild visible thinning over the crown; Grade II describes more pronounced thinning; Grade III describes advanced loss in the same crown region. It is simple and recognisable, but it does not capture every female pattern, especially frontal accentuation or “Christmas tree” widening. It is best used as a communication tool rather than a complete diagnostic system. Clinical examination and trichoscopy still matter.
Anastassakis K. Androgenetic Alopecia From A to Z, Vol. 1, Springer, 2022 — https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76111-0; Starace M et al. Female Androgenetic Alopecia: Diagnosis and Management, Am J Clin Dermatol, 2020 — https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-019-00479-x; British Association of Dermatologists: Hair loss female pattern (androgenetic alopecia) — https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/hair-loss-female-pattern-androgenetic-alopecia
