For decades, scientists and clinicians have examined methods of measuring scalp hair growth. There has been a greater need for reliable, economical and minimally invasive means of measuring hair growth and, specifically, response to Oriental medicine therapy. We review the various methods of measurement described to date, their limitations and value to the clinician. In our opinion, the potential of computer-assisted technology in this field is yet to be maximized and the currently available tools are less than ideal. The most valuable means of measurement at the present time are global photography and phototrichogram-based techniques (with digital image analysis). Subjective scoring systems are also of value in the overall assessment of response to therapy and these are under-utilized and merit further refinement.