Consistent monthly tracking over 6 or more months produces statistically significant trend data in 85% of users, giving you the objective foundation to make informed treatment decisions. This protocol turns a vague worry about hair loss into a structured, repeatable process that takes under 15 minutes per session.
Why Monthly Tracking Is the Right Frequency
Hair growth operates on a cycle lasting 2 to 6 years. On any given day, roughly 85-90% of your hair is in the anagen (growth) phase, while 10-15% is in the telogen (resting/shedding) phase. This means day-to-day and even week-to-week fluctuations are normal and do not indicate progression.
Monthly intervals filter out this noise. They capture enough data points per year (12) to build a meaningful trend line, without the excessive variability that weekly measurement introduces. Research shows that monthly tracking strikes the optimal balance between data density and signal clarity.
The 6-Month Threshold
Expect the first 3-4 months of data to look noisy. Seasonal shedding shifts, stress events, and measurement inconsistencies create short-term fluctuations. By month 6, these average out, and any real underlying trend (stable, improving, or progressing) becomes visible in the data.
If you are on treatment, this timeline aligns with clinical expectations. Finasteride (1mg daily, 80-90% halt rate) and minoxidil (5% topical, 40-60% regrowth) both take 4-6 months to show measurable results.
Your Monthly Tracking Checklist
Follow this exact sequence on the same day each month. Consistency in process is more important than perfection in any single measurement.
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair (5 Minutes)
Wash your hair with your regular shampoo. Towel dry until damp, then let it air dry completely. Do not use styling products, blow dryers, or anything that alters volume or texture. Your hair should be in its natural, unstyled state for every tracking session.
Why this matters: styling products add volume that masks thinning, blow drying changes the direction of hair fall, and wet hair clumps to expose more scalp. Standardizing preparation eliminates these variables.
Step 2: Take Your Standard Photos (5 Minutes)
Capture five photos in the same order every month. For detailed guidance on camera positioning and lighting, see our article on taking consistent progress photos.
Photo 1: Front hairline, straight on. Hold the camera at forehead level, 30cm away. Pull any fringe back to expose the full hairline.
Photo 2: Right temple. Turn your head 45 degrees to the left. Camera at temple level, 30cm away.
Photo 3: Left temple. Turn your head 45 degrees to the right. Same distance and height.
Photo 4: Crown, top down. Tilt your head forward. Hold the camera directly above the crown, 30cm away. Use a mirror or ask someone to help, or use your phone's timer.
Photo 5: Mid-scalp overview. Camera at a 45-degree angle from behind and above, capturing the area between the hairline and crown.
Step 3: Record Your Measurements (3 Minutes)
Take three physical measurements using a small ruler or measuring tape:
| Measurement Point | What to Measure | Normal Range |
|---|---|---|
| Center hairline | Distance from glabella (brow ridge) to first hair | 6-8 cm (mature male) |
| Right temple | Distance from outer brow corner to temple hairline | Varies; track relative change |
| Left temple | Distance from outer brow corner to temple hairline | Varies; track relative change |
Record these numbers to the nearest millimeter. A change of 5mm or more from your baseline at any point warrants closer attention.
Step 4: Log Your Observations (2 Minutes)
In a notebook, spreadsheet, or your treatment tracker, record:
- Date and time
- Subjective fullness score (1-10) for hairline, temples, mid-scalp, and crown
- Shedding level: Normal, Slightly Elevated, or High (based on what you notice in the shower and on your pillow)
- Treatment log: Current medications, dosages, any changes this month
- Life factors: Major stress events, illness, diet changes, new supplements
- Notes: Anything unusual, such as scalp irritation, texture changes, or new areas of concern
What to Look For in Your Data
Raw data is only useful when you analyze it for patterns. Here is what each type of finding means.
Stable Readings
If your measurements, photos, and density scores stay within the same range over 6+ months, your hair loss is either not progressing or progressing too slowly for monthly detection. This is good news. Continue monitoring at the same frequency.
Gradual Decline
A slow, steady reduction in density scores or increase in hairline measurements over 6-12 months indicates active progression. This is the pattern typical of androgenetic alopecia moving through the Norwood scale. At Norwood 2, expect 800-1,500 grafts would be needed if transplant becomes relevant. At Norwood 3, that rises to 1,500-2,200.
This finding warrants a dermatologist consultation to discuss treatment options. Finasteride halts progression in 80-90% of men and produces regrowth in about 65%, with a 2-4% rate of sexual side effects. Minoxidil adds another layer of defense.
Sudden Acceleration
A sharp increase in shedding or visible thinning over 1-2 months is more likely telogen effluvium (stress, illness, or nutritional) than accelerated pattern baldness. Pattern baldness rarely changes dramatically in weeks. If this pattern appears in your data, consider recent triggers: high stress, crash dieting, surgery, COVID, iron deficiency, or thyroid issues.
Improvement
If you started treatment and see density scores increasing or hairline measurements stabilizing after 6+ months, your treatment is working. Continue the current protocol and keep tracking to confirm the trend holds.
Setting Up Your Tracking Environment
Designate one spot in your home as your tracking station. This eliminates the biggest source of error in photo-based tracking: inconsistent conditions.
Lighting Setup
Use a fixed overhead light source. Bathroom ceiling lights work well. Avoid natural window light, which changes with time of day and weather. If possible, use the same lightbulb type and wattage for every session.
Camera Position
Mark a spot on the floor where you stand and a spot for your phone or camera. Some people tape a small X on the wall at camera height. The goal is to reproduce the exact same framing every month without guessing.
Storage and Organization
Name your photo files with the date and zone (e.g., 2026-02-23-front-hairline.jpg). Store them in a dedicated folder. If you use an AI tracking app, the app handles organization automatically and provides trend graphs over time.
When to Adjust Your Protocol
Your monthly ritual is not permanent in its current form. Adjust based on what the data tells you.
- Stable for 12+ months with no treatment: Consider reducing to quarterly tracking
- Active progression detected: Consider adding the weekly protocol for closer monitoring during treatment initiation
- On treatment, responding well: Continue monthly tracking for 12 months post-response, then consider quarterly
- Post-transplant: Monthly tracking for the first 18 months is essential, as transplanted FUE grafts (90-95% survival rate, 7-10 day initial recovery) go through shedding and regrowth phases
Start Your First Monthly Session
Your tracking journey begins with a single baseline session. Upload your first set of photos to myhairline.ai/analyze to get an AI-powered density assessment and Norwood stage classification, then mark your calendar for next month.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for personalized diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Hair loss progression and treatment response vary between individuals.