Radiation Therapy and Hair Loss Tracking: Documenting Scalp Radiation Effects
Scalp radiation doses above 35 Gy typically cause permanent alopecia, while doses below 20 Gy may allow significant recovery over 3 to 6 months. Tracking density changes in and around the radiation field gives you and your oncology team precise data on how your scalp responds to treatment.
This guide explains how to use myhairline.ai to document radiation-induced hair loss, set up zone-based tracking, and generate reports your medical team can act on.
Why Radiation Hair Loss Needs Dedicated Tracking
Radiation therapy targets specific areas of the scalp, creating a unique pattern of hair loss that differs from androgenetic alopecia or chemotherapy-related shedding. The affected zone has clear boundaries defined by the radiation field, while surrounding hair may remain completely unaffected.
Standard hair loss tracking tools do not account for this zonal pattern. Without dedicated zone mapping, you lose the ability to compare the treated area against surrounding healthy tissue.
| Radiation Dose Range | Expected Hair Outcome | Recovery Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Below 20 Gy | Temporary thinning | 3 to 6 months |
| 20 to 35 Gy | Partial regrowth, thinner texture | 6 to 12 months |
| Above 35 Gy | Permanent alopecia in field | No spontaneous recovery |
| Fractionated (2 Gy/day) | Gradual onset over weeks | Varies by total dose |
Step 1: Establish a Baseline Before Treatment Begins
Take your first set of photos before the first radiation session. This baseline captures your natural density across the entire scalp. If you already know the planned radiation field from your treatment team, note its approximate boundaries.
Use myhairline.ai to photograph at least four zones: the planned radiation field center, the radiation field edge, a zone 2 cm outside the field, and a control zone on the opposite side of the scalp. Consistent lighting and angle matter. Follow the standardized photo protocol in the app.
Step 2: Map the Radiation Field Boundaries
After your first or second treatment session, you will begin to see where the radiation field affects hair. The edges of the field typically show a gradient from full density to reduced density over a 1 to 2 cm transition zone.
Mark these zones in myhairline.ai so that every future photo captures the same areas. This zone consistency is what makes your data clinically useful rather than just visual documentation.
Step 3: Track During the Treatment Course
Most radiation therapy protocols deliver treatment over several weeks. During this period, hair loss may be gradual or sudden depending on dose fractionation.
Photograph weekly during active treatment. This frequency captures the progression curve that your oncology team needs. Less frequent tracking risks missing the onset window, which is clinically relevant for assessing treatment response.
| Tracking Phase | Frequency | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-treatment baseline | Once | Full scalp |
| Active treatment (weeks 1-6) | Weekly | Radiation field + edges |
| Immediate post-treatment | Biweekly | All mapped zones |
| Recovery monitoring (months 1-12) | Monthly | All mapped zones |
Step 4: Document the Post-Treatment Recovery Window
After radiation ends, the recovery phase begins. For doses below 20 Gy, you should see density improvements starting around month 3. The AI density analysis will detect small changes that are not visible to the eye in the first weeks of regrowth.
Continue monthly tracking for at least 12 months post-treatment. The density curve during this period tells you whether recovery is trending toward baseline or plateauing at a lower level.
Step 5: Generate Reports for Your Medical Team
myhairline.ai produces clinical-quality PDF reports showing density measurements over time, zone-by-zone. These reports give your oncologist or radiation therapist objective data on how the scalp responded.
This data is also valuable if you are considering supportive treatments like PRP therapy (which costs $500 to $2,000 per session and has shown 30 to 40% density increases in clinical studies) or topical minoxidil, which produces moderate regrowth in 40 to 60% of users when applied consistently.
For additional context on documenting your hair loss for clinical visits, see our guide on how to document hair loss for your dermatologist.
How Radiation Hair Loss Differs from Chemotherapy Hair Loss
Chemotherapy causes diffuse hair loss across the entire scalp because it affects all rapidly dividing cells systemically. Radiation targets a specific area, leaving the rest of the scalp untouched.
This distinction matters for tracking. Chemotherapy patients track whole-scalp density recovery, while radiation patients need zone-specific analysis. If you are dealing with chemotherapy effects instead, our chemotherapy recovery tracking guide covers that protocol.
| Factor | Radiation Alopecia | Chemotherapy Alopecia |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Localized to treatment field | Diffuse, entire scalp |
| Onset | Gradual over 2 to 3 weeks | Rapid, within 1 to 3 weeks |
| Permanence | Dose-dependent | Usually temporary |
| Tracking zones | Field-specific | Whole scalp |
| Recovery predictability | Correlated with dose | High (most recover fully) |
When to Consider Transplant Options for Permanent Radiation Alopecia
If your density tracking confirms permanent alopecia in the radiation field (no measurable improvement after 12 to 18 months), hair transplantation may be an option. FUE procedures have a 90 to 95% graft survival rate, and recovery takes 7 to 10 days.
However, radiated skin requires special evaluation. Blood supply to the irradiated area may be compromised, which affects graft survival. Your transplant surgeon will need the density data from your tracking history to assess candidacy.
Start Tracking Your Radiation Hair Loss Today
Radiation-induced hair loss is one of the most precise forms of alopecia to track because the boundaries are clinically defined. With myhairline.ai, you can build a complete density record that serves both your personal peace of mind and your medical team's treatment decisions.
Upload your first baseline photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to start documenting your scalp's response to radiation therapy.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Radiation therapy and hair loss management should be directed by your oncology team. Always consult your physician before starting any treatment.