What zones this covers
This protocol focuses on: overall, midscalp, crown, temples. Track zones separately so you do not average away the signal.
Why this matters
- Diffuse change is hard to remember accurately, so logs and consistent photos prevent overreacting.
- Notes (stress, illness, meds) often explain shifts that photos alone cannot.
What to photograph
- Front hairline + midscalp part line under consistent light.
- Crown top-down photo for coverage.
- Optional: standardized part photos (same comb direction).
What to log
- Stress/illness timeline and major life events.
- Medication changes and supplements (note start/stop dates).
- Sleep, diet changes, and scalp symptoms (itch, redness, pain).
How to interpret what you see
- If you suspect TE vs MPB, patterns over time are more useful than single photos.
- If the part line looks wider in one photo, verify lighting and part direction before concluding change.
Decision points (when to wait vs act)
- If shedding is sudden or accompanied by scalp symptoms, get evaluated.
- If trend is stable across windows, keep tracking before changing anything.
- If trend worsens across 2-3 windows, escalate to a clinician conversation.
When to get evaluated
- Sudden shedding, patchy loss, or pain/redness/scale on the scalp.
- If you are unsure of cause and the trend worsens across consistent windows.
Common mistakes that fake progress
- Over-focusing on daily shed counts (anxiety fuel).
- Changing multiple variables at once.
- Inconsistent part direction and lighting across photos.
FAQ
Can tracking tell me whether this is TE vs MPB?
Tracking cannot diagnose by itself, but it can show patterns over time that make clinician evaluation more productive.
Should I count hairs in the shower?
It often increases anxiety without improving decisions. Consistent photos and notes tend to be more actionable.
