TrichoScan is the clinical gold standard for hair density analysis, used in over 2,000 dermatology clinics worldwide to measure hair count, anagen/telogen ratios, and vellus hair percentages through dermoscopic imaging. This guide explains how combining TrichoScan clinical sessions with myhairline.ai home tracking creates the most complete density monitoring protocol available.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a dermatologist for personalized treatment recommendations.
What TrichoScan Measures
TrichoScan is a validated software system that analyzes dermoscopic images of a shaved scalp area (typically 1.8 cm2) to produce precise hair density metrics. Developed by Tricholog GmbH, the system has been used in hundreds of clinical trials and is considered the reference standard for quantifying treatment response.
The system measures several parameters that are difficult or impossible to assess with the naked eye:
| TrichoScan Metric | What It Measures | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Total hair density | Hairs per cm2 | Overall density status |
| Anagen hair ratio | Percentage of growing hairs | Hair cycle health |
| Telogen hair ratio | Percentage of resting hairs | Shedding risk indicator |
| Vellus hair ratio | Percentage of miniaturized hairs | Miniaturization progression |
| Terminal hair density | Thick, healthy hairs per cm2 | Functional coverage metric |
| Cumulative hair thickness | Total cross-sectional area | Volume estimation |
These measurements require a trained technician, dermoscopic equipment, and a shaved test area on the scalp. Sessions typically cost $100-$300 and are performed at dermatology clinics equipped with TrichoScan software.
Where TrichoScan Falls Short
Despite its clinical precision, TrichoScan has practical limitations that leave monitoring gaps. Most patients visit their dermatologist every 3-6 months. Between visits, there are no data points.
If a treatment is failing or a new medication is causing an adverse reaction, you may not have evidence of the change until your next scheduled TrichoScan appointment. A lot can happen to your hair in 6 months.
TrichoScan also measures a small fixed area (1.8 cm2), which means the results represent one spot on your scalp. If your hair loss pattern is progressing unevenly across multiple zones, a single measurement site may miss important regional changes.
Additionally, TrichoScan requires a shaved test area, which some patients find inconvenient or unacceptable, especially for follow-up measurements during active treatment.
How myhairline.ai Fills the Gaps
myhairline.ai provides AI-powered density analysis from standard smartphone photos taken at home. While it does not match the microscopic precision of TrichoScan, it offers several advantages that complement the clinical system:
Frequency. Take readings weekly or monthly instead of every 3-6 months. More data points create a smoother, more informative trend line.
Multi-zone coverage. Analyze the frontal hairline, temples, crown, and vertex in every session. This captures regional differences that a single TrichoScan measurement site might miss.
No shaving required. myhairline.ai analyzes hair density from standard photos without requiring a shaved test area, making repeated measurements practical and noninvasive.
Immediate results. Get density scores within seconds of taking a photo, rather than waiting for a follow-up appointment to review clinical results.
The Optimal Combined Protocol
The most effective approach uses TrichoScan for clinical precision at key milestones and myhairline.ai for continuous monitoring between visits. Here is the recommended schedule:
Year One Treatment Monitoring
| Timepoint | TrichoScan | myhairline.ai | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-treatment baseline | Yes | Yes | Establish reference point |
| Month 1 | No | Yes | Early response check |
| Month 2 | No | Yes | Detect initial shedding |
| Month 3 | No | Yes | First meaningful density data |
| Month 4-5 | No | Yes (monthly) | Track trend direction |
| Month 6 | Yes | Yes | Clinical validation |
| Month 7-11 | No | Yes (monthly) | Ongoing monitoring |
| Month 12 | Yes | Yes | Annual clinical assessment |
This schedule gives you 12+ myhairline.ai data points between each TrichoScan session, compared to zero data points if you relied on TrichoScan alone.
How to Calibrate Home Readings Against Clinical Data
When you receive your TrichoScan results, log the clinical density numbers in myhairline.ai as a clinical data point. This anchors your home tracking data to a clinically validated measurement.
Over time, you can observe how your myhairline.ai readings correlate with your TrichoScan values. If myhairline.ai consistently reads 10% higher or lower than TrichoScan for the same zone, you can mentally adjust your home readings accordingly. The trend direction matters more than the absolute number.
Setting Up Your Dual-Tracking System
Step 1: Get a TrichoScan Baseline
Schedule your first TrichoScan session before starting any new treatment. Ask your dermatologist to measure at least two zones: the frontal scalp and the vertex. Record the exact measurement locations so future sessions analyze the same spots.
Request a copy of the raw data, including hair count per cm2, anagen/telogen ratio, and vellus hair percentage. You will use these numbers in your myhairline.ai timeline.
Step 2: Set Up myhairline.ai the Same Day
On the same day as your TrichoScan appointment (or within 48 hours), take your first set of myhairline.ai photos. This synchronizes your clinical and home baselines so both systems start from the same point.
Capture images from the front, both temples, crown, and vertex. Use consistent lighting and dry hair. Log your TrichoScan density values in the clinical notes section of myhairline.ai.
Step 3: Begin Monthly Home Tracking
Start your treatment protocol and take myhairline.ai readings every 2-4 weeks. Log all treatments with dosages and start dates. For finasteride users (80-90% halt further loss, 65% experience regrowth), Minoxidil users (40-60% moderate regrowth), or those receiving PRP ($500-$2,000 per session, 30-40% density increase), accurate treatment logs are essential.
Step 4: Bring Combined Data to Your Dermatologist
Before your 6-month TrichoScan appointment, export your myhairline.ai trend data. Your dermatologist sees the big picture: the clinical precision of TrichoScan at two endpoints, connected by a continuous trend from your home readings.
This data helps the dermatologist make better treatment decisions. Instead of comparing two isolated TrichoScan snapshots and guessing what happened in between, they can see exactly when density started improving, plateaued, or declined.
When Home Tracking Signals an Early Appointment
One of the highest-value use cases for this combined approach is early detection of problems. If your myhairline.ai readings show a sudden density drop that persists for 2-3 consecutive readings, do not wait for your next scheduled TrichoScan. Contact your dermatologist and request an earlier session.
Possible triggers for an early appointment include:
- Density drop of more than 15% across 2 or more zones in a single month
- A reversal of a previously positive trend that persists for 8+ weeks
- New thinning in a zone that was previously stable
- Treatment side effects that prompted you to stop a medication
Early detection saves follicles. The sooner a failing protocol is identified and adjusted, the less density you lose during the correction period.
Comparing Measurement Accuracy
It is important to understand what each system does well and where its limitations are. Neither system alone provides a complete picture.
| Capability | TrichoScan | myhairline.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Hair count precision | Very high (single-hair level) | Moderate (zone-level estimate) |
| Anagen/telogen ratio | Yes | No |
| Vellus hair detection | Yes (microscopic) | Limited (visible miniaturization only) |
| Multi-zone coverage | 1-2 zones per session | Up to 6 zones per session |
| Measurement frequency | Every 3-6 months | Weekly or monthly |
| Equipment required | Dermoscope + software | Smartphone camera |
| Cost per session | $100-$300 | Included in subscription |
| Shaving required | Yes | No |
The two systems answer different questions. TrichoScan tells you the precise state of a specific scalp area. myhairline.ai tells you how your overall density is trending across your entire scalp over time.
Building a Long-Term Monitoring Record
Over 12-24 months, the combined data set becomes highly valuable. You have clinical validation points from TrichoScan at months 0, 6, and 12, connected by continuous myhairline.ai trend data showing exactly how your hair responded to treatment between those clinical visits.
This comprehensive record is useful for dermatologist consultations, insurance documentation, and personal treatment decisions. If you are considering a hair transplant (FUE recovery takes 7-10 days, graft survival rate is 90-95%), having 12+ months of density data strengthens your consultation with a transplant surgeon.
For more on how clinical and home-based methods compare, see our trichoscopy versus AI hair analysis comparison. For tips on improving your photo quality, review our clinical hair loss photography standards guide.
Start building your home tracking baseline today at myhairline.ai/analyze and bring real data to your next clinical appointment.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any treatment.