Automated Digital Image Analysis (TrichoScan) for Human Hair Growth Analysis: Ease Versus Errors

January 2010 in “ International Journal of Trichology ”

Punit P Saraogi, Rachita Dhurat

TrichoScan telogen hair vellus hair androgenetic alopecia diffuse telogen hair loss total hair density androgenic alopecia diffuse hair loss THD

TLDR TrichoScan often makes mistakes and needs improvement for correct hair growth analysis.

The study assessed TrichoScan®, an automated digital image analysis tool, in 77 cases (37 females with diffuse telogen hair loss and 40 males with androgenetic alopecia) and 20 controls, focusing on total hair density (THD), telogen, and vellus hair percentages. It found that while THD decreased with more severe alopecia, over 85% of healthy volunteers had an unexpectedly high telogen hair percentage (>20%), and there was no significant difference in telogen hair percentages between cases and controls. Moreover, 65% of patients with advanced thinning did not show an increase in vellus hair percentages. The study revealed multiple errors in hair detection by TrichoScan, leading to overestimation of THD and vellus hair percentage, which did not correlate with clinical severity. The conclusion was that TrichoScan is prone to errors and requires refinement for accurate hair growth analysis.

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