Clear scalp photos let a provider see the pattern and density of your hair during an online consultation. The keys are bright, even lighting, clean and dry hair, a steady camera, and the same set of angles each time. This guide covers how to set up, which views to take, and the common mistakes that make photos hard to read.
Why photos matter in an online consultation
In a telehealth visit, your photos stand in for the part of an in-person exam where a clinician looks closely at your scalp. A dermatologist reviewing your case uses them, along with your health history, to understand the pattern of hair loss and to decide whether treatment is appropriate or whether an in-person visit is a better next step. Blurry, dark or heavily styled photos can make that harder and may mean you are asked to retake them. If you are new to the process, our guide to how a telehealth consultation works explains each step.
Before you start
- Clean, dry hair. Take photos when hair is fully dry. Wet hair clumps together and makes the scalp look more visible than it is.
- No styling products. Skip gels, pomades, dry shampoo, hair fibers, scalp powders and sprays. Concealers are designed to hide the scalp, which is the opposite of what a provider needs to see.
- Hair in its everyday state. Let hair fall naturally. Remove hats, clips, headbands and hair ties unless a view calls for pulling hair back.
- A helper, if possible. The crown and the back of the head are hard to photograph alone. A second person makes those shots much easier.
Lighting
Lighting has the biggest effect on photo quality.
- Use bright, even light. Facing a window during the day works well.
- Avoid a single harsh overhead light, which can make the scalp look shinier and more exposed than it is.
- Avoid strong backlighting, such as standing with a window behind you.
- If you use the camera flash, check the result for glare. If the scalp looks washed out, turn the flash off and add more room light instead.
- Use the same room and lighting for every view in the set.
Camera setup
- Use the rear camera if you have a helper. It is usually sharper than the front camera.
- Clean the lens before you start.
- Turn off filters, beauty modes and portrait blur.
- Do not use digital zoom. Move the camera closer instead, then tap the screen to focus on the scalp.
- Hold the phone steady, or use the self-timer and rest the phone on a stable surface.
- Take a few shots of each view and upload the sharpest one.
The views to take
Follow the specific views the intake asks for. Most hair consultations ask for some version of the following.
1. Front hairline
Face the camera straight on with hair pulled or combed back off the forehead. Keep the camera level with the eyes, far enough away to show the full hairline from temple to temple.
2. Left and right temples
Turn the head to each side and take a photo of each temple with hair pulled back. These views show the corners of the hairline.
3. Top of the scalp
Tilt the head forward slightly and photograph the top of the head from above. For longer hair, make a center part and photograph the part line from above.
4. Crown
The crown is the area at the top and back of the head where hair grows in a whorl. Have a helper hold the camera directly above the crown while you look down. If you are alone, you can use the self-timer or hold a hand mirror to line up the shot, but a helper gives the clearest view.
5. Back and sides
If the intake asks for them, take the back of the head and each side in the same lighting, with hair in its natural state.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Photos taken right after a shower or workout, while hair is damp
- Styling products, fibers or dry shampoo in the hair
- Dim light, or a single bright bulb directly overhead
- Filters, beauty modes or edited photos
- Photos cropped so tightly that the provider cannot tell which part of the head they show
- Different lighting or distance for each view
Keeping your photos private
Upload photos only through the consultation intake, not by email, text message or social media. Your photos are part of your medical record and are used for your care. You can delete the copies from your phone after upload if you prefer. For more on how your information is handled, see your privacy choices.
Photos at follow-up
Your provider may ask for updated photos as part of follow-up. Your provider will tell you how and when progress is reviewed. Using the same room, lighting, distance and angles each time makes photos easier to compare. A simple way to stay consistent is to note where you stood and where the light came from the first time.
When to see someone in person
Photos are a good fit for reviewing typical pattern hair loss. Some changes need a hands-on exam instead of, or in addition to, an online visit. See a dermatologist or primary care clinician in person if you notice:
- Sudden or rapid hair loss
- Round, smooth or patchy bald spots
- Scalp pain, burning, tenderness, sores or pus
- Heavy redness or scaling, or a shiny scalp where follicle openings are no longer visible
- Hair loss along with fatigue, weight change, fever or other new symptoms
- Hair loss in a child
Not sure which kind of specialist to see? Our article on trichologists versus dermatologists explains the difference. For a sense of what is normal day to day, see normal versus excessive shedding.
Quick checklist
- Hair clean, fully dry and without styling products
- Bright, even light, no harsh overhead bulb
- Rear camera, lens cleaned, no filters or zoom
- Front hairline, both temples, top, crown, plus any extra views the intake requests
- Sharpest shot of each view uploaded through the intake only
A licensed provider decides whether treatment is appropriate after reviewing your intake and photos. If treatment is prescribed, a licensed pharmacy prepares a personalized compounded formula. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. When you are ready, start your online consultation.
Prescription required. A licensed provider decides whether treatment is appropriate. Compounded medications are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for an individual patient and are not FDA-approved. Individual results vary. Prescribed Essence currently serves patients in California, Colorado, Florida and New York.
