Bad: every photo changes the question

Month 1
Dark bathroom
Month 2
Outside light
Month 3
Wet hair

These images document three different conditions. They may be emotionally compelling but visually difficult to compare.

Good: keep the setup fixed

Baseline
Same light
Month 2
Same distance
Month 4
Same angle

A five-minute setup

  1. Choose one location.Avoid strong sun patches and mixed lighting.
  2. Mark the camera position.A tripod or fixed shelf improves repeatability.
  3. Use dry, similarly styled hair.Record if you intentionally use another condition.
  4. Capture all four views.Do not change distance between angles.
  5. Store the originals.Avoid beauty filters and aggressive sharpening.

Sources

  1. A practical guide to the standardization of hair loss photography for clinicians. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2024.