Overhead light, flash and wet hair all make the scalp show through more, while soft side light and dry, styled hair make it show less. That is why fair before/after photos use the same light, angle, distance and hair state. Judge your progress with matched photos, not lift mirrors.
Why lighting matters so much
Hair is partly see-through. Light from directly above, like a lift or office downlight, passes between strands and bounces off the scalp, so thinning looks stronger. Soft light from the side hides the scalp.
Phone flash flattens everything and exaggerates contrast. Wet hair clumps together and shows more scalp. None of this changes how much hair you have, only how it looks in that moment.
How to photograph your own hair fairly
Pick one spot at home with the same light, ideally daylight from a window. Keep the camera at the same distance and height. Hair should be dry and styled the same way each time.
Take the same three angles: front hairline, top and crown. Do it once a month on a set date rather than daily, when small changes are impossible to judge.
How we use photos at the centre
At the centre we use the same light and angles for every client's before and after photos, and we never edit them to look better. This is explained in our photo policy.
If you see a dramatic change between two photos with different lighting, be careful about what you conclude. That applies to our photos and to anyone else's.
Questions
Why does my hair look worse in lifts and toilets?
Strong overhead light shines through the hair onto the scalp. It changes how hair looks, not how much you have.
How often should I take progress photos?
Once a month, in the same light and angle, is enough.