Hair Growth: How to Take Progress Pics That Show Real Results

Progress photos are a great way to track hair growth. To take them, you don’t need tricky angles or filters, just consistent, comparable images that let you actually see changes over time. With the right setup, you can look back months later and clearly see how far you’ve come in your hair regrowth journey — whether that's improved thickness, length, or density.

In this guide, we cover exactly how to take hair progress pictures, step-by-step, to help you track the results of hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride. Ready? Keep reading.

Hair growth isn’t something you can track by memory alone. Most people don’t notice subtle hair regrowth until they look back at a photo taken months ago. That’s where progress pics come in.

Consistent, well-taken photos make it easier to:

• See if a treatment like minoxidil or finasteride is working

• Track changes in hair density, hairline, or crown coverage

• Stay motivated when results feel slow (which is common with hair loss treatment)

A random selfie in your bathroom today versus a sunny close-up three months from now probably won’t help you see progress. But with a little structure and intention, your pics can tell a story.

Taking progress photos isn’t complicated, but it does require some intention. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Use the Same Setup Every Time

Here’s what should stay consistent:

• Lighting matters most. Natural daylight is best, ideally near a window with soft, indirect light. Avoid yellow-toned indoor lighting or flash photography.

• The background should be neutral. Standing in front of a plain background works best. If you can, avoid clutter or distractions in the frame and center the photo on a close-up of your head and scalp.

• Use a tripod or stand. Place your phone or camera at the same height and distance whenever possible. In a pinch, even a stack of books or a makeshift shelf works.

2. Capture Multiple Angles

For most people, regrowth starts slowly at the hairline or crown, so you’ll want clear, repeatable shots of those areas.

Here’s what to take:

• Front view: Face your head forward with your chin tilted slightly to capture your front hairline.

• Top view (crown): Tilt your head forward and use a handheld mirror (ask a friend for help if needed)

• Left and right profiles: These angles show temple recession and side density.

• Hair part (optional): This shot is especially helpful if you have diffuse thinning or longer hair.

Make sure your photos are zoomed out and not too close to your scalp.

3. Be Consistent About Hair Condition

Here’s how to prep before taking pics:

• Start with clean, product-free hair. Avoid styling creams, sprays, or gels, which can change how thick or flat your hair looks.

• Keep it dry or lightly damp. Either is fine—just stay consistent from month to month as you take new progress photos.

• Wear the same hairstyle. If you usually wear your hair brushed back, don’t switch to a middle part in your next photo.

4. Follow a Monthly Schedule

Hair grows around a fourth to a half an inch per month, so don’t expect to see major changes week to week.

Your timeline might look like this:

• Week 0: Take a baseline photo before starting treatment.

• Month 1: Take follow-up photos.

• Months 3, 6, and 12: Take photos at these key milestones to check your progress. These will be your “after” pictures.

Worried you won’t remember to snap progress pics? Set a recurring calendar reminder for yourself.

Even if you’re taking regular photos, a few small missteps can throw off your ability to accurately track progress. Here’s how to fix them:

• If you have inconsistent lighting, try picking one time of day and a well-lit location for photos.

• Keep your hair in one standard style for photos. Avoid hats, ponytails, heat styling, or anything else that can alter the look of your hair in progress photos.

• Use a tripod, a phone stand, and a timer to reduce shaky photos and ensure you’re capturing a zoomed-out photo that shows your entire scalp.

• If photos aren’t clear, consider a new background, a ring light, or a setting with natural lighting to improve quality. Don’t use filters or other retouching methods. 

Once you’ve learned how to take good progress pics, you can use them to motivate yourself on your hair care journey. They can help you:

• Gauge the effectiveness of your treatment. Are you not seeing change or still noticing thinning hair? It might be time to talk to your provider about switching or combining therapies.

• Spot early regrowth. New hair follicles or less scalp visibility are easy to miss until you put your old and new photos side-by-side.

• Stay consistent. Hair regrowth takes time; visual proof helps you stick with treatment, especially in the early phases.

Tracking progress is only a small part of the hair loss treatment equation. If you’re just starting your hair growth journey, a licensed provider can help you find the best option for you — whether that’s minoxidil, finasteride, or a combo of both.

Hims offers online consultations and ships hair loss treatments discreetly to your door. Bonus: It’s affordable, and no in-person visits are required.

Progress pictures can help you stay on track with your hair loss treatment. Plus, before-and-after photos are nice to have.

Let’s recap what we know about taking hair growth progress photos:

• Stay consistent. Hair progress pics only work if you stay consistent, including with setup, lighting, and timing.

• Stick to monthly check-ins. Use the same angles and background each time.

• Use natural light and keep your hair clean. You should also avoid applying products to your hair before taking photos. This can change how your hair looks and make it hard to compare pics.

Want to pair your photos with proven treatment? Take our free hair loss quiz to get started with a Hims consultation and get paired with a hair loss specialist.