How to capture your hair and scalp progress - A step-by-step guide

Before and after photos and videos make it easier to see and track your progress. They help you notice changes in your hair and scalp condition that you might miss day-to-day, and show how your new routine is working for you.

This guide keeps it simple so you can capture results clearly.

Choose what you want to track

Everyone’s hair and scalp goals are different, so start with what matters most to you.
+ Hair growth and length
+ Strength, thickness and fullness
+ Hair loss, areas of shedding and thinning
+ Flaky or irritated scalp
+ Oily or congested scalp
+ Brittle, dry hair and breakage 

If you have more than one concern, it helps to capture a few different before and after sets so you can focus on each one clearly.

Set up your space

A consistent set-up helps your progress stand out.
+ Use the same spot each time
+ Face toward soft, natural light if you can
+ Keep the background minimalistic

Think of this as your hair and scalp check-in space. 

Keep angles and look consistent

Repeat the same views and styling so you’re comparing like for like.

Photos

+ Centre part from above for scalp density and new growth
+ Front view for hairline and baby hairs
+ Side view for volume, length and shine
+ Back view with hair brushed straight down to show overall length and condition

It can also help to capture multiple angles where it makes sense, but the shots above are the most important ones to get right every time.

Styling

+ Wear similar clothing in neutral colours
+ Keep makeup natural and similar each time
+ Wear the same or similar jewellery, or none at all
+ Style your hair in the same way each time
+ Use the same device and skip filters

Small details like this make changes easier to see.

Before and after examples

Use these as a guide and tweak them to suit your hair and scalp.

Hair loss and density

+ Part line: Part your hair down the centre and photograph from directly above
+ Crown: Photograph from directly above
+ Temples: Photograph from the front, left and right sides

Keep your camera about 30 cm from your head for each area where hair feels sparse or shedding is obvious.

Hair growth and length

+Brush your hair straight down your back
+Stand with your back to the camera and take the photo from about 1 metre away, capturing your full length

Flaky or irritated scalp

+ Lift your hair gently to expose the area that feels dry or uncomfortable
+ Photograph from directly above, about 30 cm away

Oily or congested scalp

+ Photograph your roots from directly above your head, about 30 cm away
+ Take your before photo on a day when oil feels most noticeable, then photograph the same day of your wash cycle for your after photo

Create your timeline

Hair and scalp changes take time. Regular check-ins help you see what’s shifting.

+ Take your before photo before you start any new regimen
+ Repeat the same set of photos every 30 days for the first three months, then at 6 and 12 months

Over time, you might notice

+ New baby hairs and fresh growth
+ Fuller looking areas at the part or crown
+ Less visible scalp in sparse zones
+ Less flakiness or redness
+ Roots that feel more balanced, not overly oily or dry

Even small changes are worth noticing.

Capture your story on video

Short videos help show movement, texture and changes in scalp comfort.

Try
+ A slow turn from side to side filmed from the back
+ A gentle pan from your forehead along your part or crown
+ Lifting small sections of hair to reveal the scalp
+ A simple timelapse or slideshow using clips taken over time

Use the same lighting, clothing, jewellery, styling and angles as your photos so everything feels cohesive.

Show us your pics

Share your before and after with us, we can't wait to see what's shifting for you. Tag @apotecaribioactivehaircare on social or share your review on our site - you could help someone facing their own hair and scalp challenges.