Users who complete all 10 onboarding steps generate 90% more consistent data than users who skip setup. This checklist walks you through each step so your first clinical report contains reliable, dermatologist-ready density data.
The Complete Onboarding Checklist
| Step | Task | Time | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create account and profile | 3 min | Required |
| 2 | Complete hair loss profile | 3 min | Required |
| 3 | Set up treatment journal | 5 min | Required |
| 4 | Learn the photo protocol | 5 min | Required |
| 5 | Capture baseline photo set | 10 min | Required |
| 6 | Review baseline density report | 3 min | Required |
| 7 | Set tracking schedule | 2 min | Recommended |
| 8 | Configure report preferences | 2 min | Recommended |
| 9 | Take first comparison set (day 30) | 5 min | Required |
| 10 | Generate first clinical report | 2 min | Required |
Total initial setup: 20-30 minutes. Monthly maintenance: 5 minutes.
Step 1: Create Your Account and Profile
Start at myhairline.ai/analyze. Fill in your basic profile information: age, gender, and general location. These demographic details help the AI calibrate its density analysis. Average follicular density varies by ethnicity (Caucasian: 170-230 FU/cm2, Asian: 140-200 FU/cm2, African: 120-180 FU/cm2), so accurate profile data improves measurement accuracy.
Step 2: Complete Your Hair Loss Profile
Answer the hair loss questionnaire honestly. The system asks about:
- When you first noticed thinning
- Family history of hair loss (maternal and paternal)
- Current Norwood or Ludwig stage estimate
- Areas of greatest concern (frontal, vertex, diffuse)
- Previous treatments tried and their outcomes
This profile shapes your tracking dashboard and determines which scalp zones receive primary focus during analysis.
Step 3: Set Up Your Treatment Journal
Log every treatment you are currently using. Be specific about dosages, frequencies, and start dates.
Examples of complete treatment entries:
- Finasteride 1mg oral, daily, started January 2026
- Minoxidil 5% topical, twice daily, started March 2025
- PRP therapy, every 8 weeks, started November 2025 ($500-2,000 per session)
- Microneedling 1.5mm, weekly, started February 2026
If you are not on any treatment yet, that is fine. Your treatment journal starts empty and you add entries as you begin new therapies. The journal creates a timeline that myhairline.ai overlays on your density trend graph, showing how density changes correlate with treatment starts, stops, and adjustments.
Step 4: Learn the Photo Protocol
This is the step most users rush. Do not rush it. Your entire tracking history depends on consistent photography.
The five rules of tracking photography:
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Same lighting every time. Choose one location with consistent light. Natural daylight near a window is ideal. Avoid overhead fluorescents that cast shadows.
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Same angles every time. The guided protocol shows you exactly where to position the camera for each zone: frontal (straight on), vertex (top-down), temporal (side angles), and occipital (rear).
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Same distance every time. Hold the camera at a consistent distance from your scalp. Use a mirror or ask someone to help. The guided overlay markers help you match framing.
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Dry hair only. Wet hair clumps and appears thinner. Always photograph dry, unstyled hair.
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Same time of day. Lighting changes throughout the day. Pick a time and stick with it.
Step 5: Capture Your Baseline Photo Set
With the protocol fresh in your mind, take your baseline photos immediately. The system guides you through each required angle:
- Frontal hairline (camera at forehead level)
- Right temporal zone
- Left temporal zone
- Vertex/crown (top-down, use a mirror or second person)
- Mid-scalp
- Occipital donor area
Upload the complete set. The AI processes your images and establishes density measurements for each zone. These numbers are your ground truth for every future comparison.
Common baseline mistakes to avoid:
- Using bathroom fluorescent lighting (creates inconsistent shadows)
- Styling or combing hair before photos (conceals actual density)
- Only photographing the area of concern (you need all zones for complete tracking)
- Taking photos right after a shower (hair needs to be fully dry)
Step 6: Review Your Baseline Density Report
Once the AI processes your baseline, review the results carefully. Your report shows density per square centimeter for each zone, a visual heat map of density distribution, and an estimated Norwood/Ludwig stage.
Compare the AI assessment against your own perception. If the numbers surprise you (higher or lower than expected), that is normal. Objective measurement often differs from subjective impression, which is exactly why you are tracking in the first place.
Step 7: Set Your Tracking Schedule
Monthly tracking is the recommended minimum for most patients. Set a recurring reminder for the same day each month. Consistency in timing matters because:
- Hair grows approximately 1cm per month
- Treatment effects accumulate over weeks
- Seasonal variation can affect density
More frequent tracking (weekly) is useful during the first 3 months of a new treatment when early response signals matter most.
Step 8: Configure Report Preferences
Set up your clinical report format for future exports. Options include:
- PDF format: Best for sharing with dermatologists
- Zone focus: Choose which zones appear on the summary page
- Comparison timeframe: Monthly, quarterly, or custom date ranges
- Treatment annotations: Toggle treatment timeline overlay on or off
- Data detail level: Summary (1 page) or comprehensive (multi-page)
Getting this right now saves time when you generate your first real comparison report at day 30.
Step 9: Take Your First Comparison Set (Day 30)
Exactly 30 days after your baseline, take your second photo set using the identical protocol. Same location, same lighting, same angles, same time of day.
This first comparison is critical. It establishes whether your tracking protocol is producing consistent, comparable images. If the AI flags significant lighting or angle variations, adjust your protocol now before you have 6 months of inconsistent data.
At 30 days, most treatments will not show significant density changes. Finasteride needs 3-6 months, Minoxidil needs 4-6 months. That is expected. What you are validating at day 30 is your process, not your treatment.
Step 10: Generate Your First Clinical Report
With baseline and day-30 data, generate your first clinical report. Even if density has not changed meaningfully, this report proves your tracking system works. It shows:
- Baseline measurements with dates
- 30-day comparison measurements
- Percentage change per zone (likely minimal at this point)
- Treatment timeline annotations
- Photo comparison panels
Save this report. When you generate your 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month reports later, you will see exactly how far your tracking journey has progressed.
What Happens After Onboarding
With setup complete, your monthly routine takes about 5 minutes: take your photo set, upload, and review updated density numbers. The AI handles the analysis. You just need to be consistent.
At the 3-month mark, your data becomes clinically meaningful. Finasteride users can see early response signals. Minoxidil users may notice initial changes. Post-transplant patients (FUE recovery: 7-10 days, graft survival: 90-95%) can track graft growth milestones.
Get started with your baseline at myhairline.ai/analyze and follow this checklist to set yourself up for months of reliable, actionable tracking data.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any hair loss treatment.