Tracking androgenetic alopecia requires consistent, standardized photos taken at fixed intervals with identical lighting and angles. Without a reliable method, you cannot tell whether your treatment is working, your condition is progressing, or both are happening simultaneously.
This guide covers the exact process for monitoring male pattern baldness over time so you can make informed treatment decisions.
Why Tracking Matters More Than You Think
The human eye is poor at detecting gradual change. Hair loss from androgenetic alopecia progresses slowly, typically over months and years. This means:
- You may not notice 15-20% density loss until someone else points it out
- Treatment effects (positive or negative) take 3-6 months to become visible
- Without baseline photos, you have no objective reference point for comparison
- Dermatologists rely on patient-provided photos between appointments
Misdiagnosis of hair loss type leads to wrong treatment in 28% of cases. Consistent tracking data helps your doctor distinguish androgenetic alopecia from telogen effluvium, diffuse unpatterned alopecia, and other conditions.
Step 1: Establish Your Baseline
Before starting or changing any treatment, capture a complete baseline set. You need this reference point to evaluate everything that follows.
Required angles (minimum 5 photos):
- Front hairline: Camera at forehead height, hair pulled back
- Right temple: 45-degree angle from the right side
- Left temple: 45-degree angle from the left side
- Crown/vertex: Top-down view (use a second mirror or phone timer)
- Donor area: Back of head showing occipital region
Photo conditions that must stay consistent:
- Same lighting source and position every time
- Same camera or phone at the same distance
- Hair dry (wet hair clumps and hides density)
- Same hairstyle or hair length at each session
- No hair products that add volume or texture
Step 2: Set Your Tracking Schedule
Different situations call for different frequencies:
| Scenario | Photo Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| No treatment (monitoring only) | Every 3 months | Ongoing |
| Starting finasteride or minoxidil | Monthly for first 12 months | Then every 3 months |
| Post-hair transplant | Weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly | For 18 months |
| Evaluating new treatment | Monthly | For at least 6 months |
| Stable on treatment | Every 3 months | Ongoing |
Mark these dates in your calendar. Irregular tracking creates gaps that make comparisons unreliable.
Step 3: Use Standardized Measurement Methods
Photos alone show visual change, but adding measurements gives you quantitative data.
Hair Count Method
Part your hair in the same spot each time and photograph a 1-inch square area of scalp. Count visible hairs in the frame. This is crude but detects density changes of 15% or more.
The Norwood Reference
Map your hairline against the Norwood scale stages at each tracking session:
- Norwood 2: 800-1,500 grafts needed, slight temple recession
- Norwood 3: 1,500-2,200 grafts needed, deep temple recession
- Norwood 3V: 2,000-2,800 grafts needed, temple recession plus vertex thinning
- Norwood 4: 2,500-3,500 grafts needed, further recession with enlarged vertex area
If you notice your stage advancing, it is time to discuss treatment escalation with your doctor.
Hair Pull Test
Gently grasp about 60 hairs between your thumb and fingers. Pull with steady, moderate tension. Normal shedding is 1-3 hairs. More than 6 hairs suggests active shedding (telogen effluvium or treatment-related shedding phase).
Record your pull test results alongside your photos.
Step 4: Track Treatment Adherence
The most common reason treatments appear to fail is inconsistent use. Create a simple log that records:
- Finasteride: Daily dose taken (yes/no)
- Minoxidil: Application times (morning/evening)
- PRP sessions: Dates and clinic ($500-$2,000 per session)
- Supplements: Any additions or changes
- Side effects: Type, severity, duration
Treatment adherence below 80% significantly reduces results. Finasteride requires 3-6 months of consistent daily use before results appear. Minoxidil needs 4-6 months. Gaps reset the clock.
Step 5: Recognize What Progress Actually Looks Like
Treatment response in androgenetic alopecia does not look the way most men expect:
Months 1-3: Possible increased shedding (especially with minoxidil). This is normal. Weak hairs are pushed out as stronger hairs begin their growth cycle. Do not stop treatment during this phase.
Months 3-6: Shedding stabilizes. New vellus (fine, light) hairs may appear. Existing hairs may feel slightly thicker. Changes are subtle and hard to see without comparison photos.
Months 6-12: Measurable improvement in density if the treatment is working. Compare directly against your baseline photos. Hair diameter increases are often more significant than hair count increases.
Months 12+: Full treatment effect is visible. If you see no improvement by month 12 on finasteride and minoxidil, discuss alternatives with your dermatologist (dutasteride, oral minoxidil, PRP, or surgery).
Step 6: Use Technology to Supplement Manual Tracking
Several tools can make tracking more objective:
- AI hair analysis tools: Upload photos for automated stage assessment and graft estimates
- Trichoscopy apps: Magnified scalp imaging available at dermatology offices
- Digital rulers: Measure hairline recession from fixed facial landmarks (bridge of nose, ear tragus)
- Cloud storage: Keep all tracking photos in a dedicated folder with date-stamped filenames
The key advantage of technology is removing the subjectivity that makes self-assessment unreliable.
Common Tracking Mistakes to Avoid
- Checking daily in the mirror: Daily changes are invisible. This only increases anxiety.
- Different lighting between sessions: Overhead light makes hair look thinner. Side lighting adds volume. Choose one and stick with it.
- Comparing to others: Your genetics, hair caliber, and density are unique. Compare only to your own baseline.
- Stopping tracking when results plateau: Maintaining results is a result. Continued tracking catches any regression early.
Start With an Accurate Assessment
Effective tracking starts with knowing exactly where you are today. AI-powered analysis provides an objective Norwood stage classification and graft estimate that serves as your reference point.
Get your free baseline assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze and start tracking your hair loss with data, not guesswork.
Medical Disclaimer: 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. Individual results vary based on genetics, health status, and treatment adherence.