The value of all future density readings depends entirely on the quality of your initial baseline session. Every comparison you make, every treatment effect you measure, and every decision you reach about continuing or changing treatments traces back to this single reference point. Getting your baseline right is the most important step in hair loss tracking.
Why Your Baseline Matters More Than Any Other Reading
A density tracking system works by comparing current readings against a fixed reference point. That reference is your baseline. If your baseline is inconsistent, blurry, or taken under poor conditions, every future comparison inherits that error.
Consider the impact:
| Baseline Quality | Effect on All Future Readings |
|---|---|
| Standardized, clinical-quality | Accurate detection of 5-10% density changes |
| Decent smartphone photo | Detects changes over 15-20% only |
| Poor lighting or angle | Unreliable comparisons, false positives and negatives |
| No baseline at all | No objective comparison possible |
A 10% density change over 6 months is clinically significant. If your baseline photo quality cannot detect that level of change, you are tracking blind.
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair
Hair preparation directly affects density reading accuracy. Variations in styling, product use, and moisture level change how hair appears in photos, regardless of actual density.
Before your baseline session:
- Wash hair with a gentle shampoo (no volumizing products)
- Let hair dry completely (wet hair clumps and appears thinner)
- Do not apply any styling products, sprays, or fibers
- Comb or brush hair into your natural resting position
- Do not use hair dryers on high heat (can create temporary volume that skews readings)
The goal is to photograph your hair in its most neutral, natural state. Every future tracking session should replicate this exact preparation.
Step 2: Set Up Consistent Lighting
Lighting is the single biggest variable in hair photography. Harsh overhead light exaggerates thinning. Soft diffuse light provides the most accurate representation.
Ideal lighting setup:
- Two light sources at roughly 45-degree angles to your face
- Daylight-balanced bulbs (5000K to 6500K color temperature)
- Diffused light (through a white curtain, softbox, or bounced off a white wall)
- No direct overhead light, which creates shadows that mimic thinning
- Consistent across every session
If you cannot set up dedicated lights, face a large window with indirect daylight. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows.
Step 3: Position and Photograph
Take a minimum of 5 standardized photos to cover all major scalp zones:
| Photo | Camera Position | What to Capture |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Frontal | Eye level, straight on | Full forehead and hairline, ears visible |
| 2. Right temple | 45 degrees right | Right temporal recession and sideburn |
| 3. Left temple | 45 degrees left | Left temporal recession and sideburn |
| 4. Vertex | Directly above (chin to chest) | Top of head, midscalp density |
| 5. Crown | Behind and above | Crown whorl area, occipital region |
Camera tips:
- Use a smartphone rear camera (higher resolution than front camera)
- Hold the phone at a consistent distance (approximately 12 to 18 inches from scalp)
- Use a timer or have someone else take the photos to avoid arm positioning variation
- A phone mount or tripod ensures identical positioning across sessions
- Take multiple shots of each angle and select the sharpest
Step 4: Run Your Baseline Through AI Analysis
Upload your frontal photo to myhairline.ai for your first AI density reading.
The AI uses 468 facial landmarks to:
- Map your hairline position relative to anatomical reference points
- Measure recession at both temples
- Classify your current Norwood stage
- Estimate graft requirements based on your stage
Record the following from your baseline session:
- Date
- AI density reading and Norwood classification
- Photo conditions (lighting type, distance, time of day)
- Current treatment stack (medications, supplements, procedures)
- Any relevant notes (recent stress, illness, medication changes)
Step 5: Store Your Baseline Securely
Your baseline photos and readings are irreplaceable. Store them in at least two locations:
- Cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox) with a dedicated folder
- Local backup on your device
Label files clearly: baseline_frontal_2026-02-23.jpg, baseline_vertex_2026-02-23.jpg, etc.
Step 6: Schedule Your Next Session
Set your first follow-up session for exactly one month after baseline. This establishes the monthly cadence that produces the most useful tracking data.
Monthly tracking provides the right balance:
- Weekly is too frequent (hair changes are not visible at this interval)
- Monthly captures meaningful change without being burdensome
- Quarterly misses short-term events like medication shedding phases
For detailed photography techniques, see our guide on taking consistent hair loss progress photos.
Using Old Photos as a Retrospective Baseline
If you have existing photos from months or years ago, they can provide valuable context but should not replace a properly taken baseline.
Old photos work well when:
- The hairline is clearly visible and in focus
- Lighting is even and not heavily filtered
- You can estimate the approximate date
- The photo was not taken with a wide-angle or distorted lens
Old photos have limitations:
- Inconsistent conditions make direct density comparison unreliable
- Selfie cameras introduce lens distortion that varies by phone model
- Filtered or edited photos cannot be used for AI analysis
Use old photos as qualitative reference (you can visually see the hairline was different) while treating your new standardized session as the quantitative baseline for all future tracking.
Common Baseline Mistakes to Avoid
Wet hair: Always photograph dry hair. Wet hair clumps, exposing more scalp and making density appear lower than it is.
Product in hair: Volumizing sprays, fibers, and dry shampoo all alter apparent density. Track with clean, product-free hair.
Inconsistent lighting: The most common error. Different lighting makes the same density look dramatically different between photos.
Wrong angle: Even a 10-degree shift in camera angle changes how the hairline and vertex appear. Use landmarks (nose tip, ear position) to replicate angles.
Rushing: Take your time. A 15-minute baseline session sets the quality standard for years of tracking. See our full treatment tracker guide for the complete tracking system.
Set Your Baseline Today
Your tracking journey starts with one well-taken photo. Upload it at myhairline.ai/analyze and get your AI density reading in seconds. This single reading becomes the most referenced data point in your entire hair loss management timeline.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. AI-based density tracking provides objective measurement for personal monitoring but does not replace clinical evaluation by a dermatologist. If you are experiencing rapid or unusual hair loss, consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.