A useful visual checklist
Has your hairline visibly changed?
Compare the same front angle—not memory alone.
Are the temple corners moving backward?
Look for repeatable movement on one or both sides.
Is the crown becoming more visible?
Keep lighting and hair direction the same.
Have photos changed over 3–12 months?
Longer intervals can reveal gradual change more clearly.
Is shedding accompanied by visible density loss?
Shedding and visible pattern loss are related questions, but not identical.
Is hair loss common in your family?
Family history may add context but cannot diagnose your current pattern.
What the answers can tell you
Several “yes” answers make consistent documentation more worthwhile. They do not identify androgenetic alopecia, nutritional deficiency, autoimmune disease, medication effects or another cause. Hair loss has many possible causes. [source]
Hair shedding is not the same question
More hair in the shower can reflect increased shedding, while a gradually changing outline or bald area can reflect visible loss. Some people experience both. A dermatologist can help distinguish them. [source]
Sources
- Hair loss: Who gets and causes. American Academy of Dermatology, 2024.
- Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?. American Academy of Dermatology, 2024.
- Hair loss: Signs and symptoms. American Academy of Dermatology, 2024.