Diagnosis of Hair Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Introduction to Teletrichoscopy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice of dermatology, including the diagnosis and management of hair disorders, faced significant challenges due to social distancing and a reduction in in-person consultations. To address these challenges, the authors introduced teletrichoscopy, a method that utilizes telecommunication platforms to remotely evaluate patients with hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and scarring alopecia. The authors described how dermatologists can instruct patients to perform self-examinations and use smartphone applications or inexpensive imaging attachments to capture images of their hair and scalp. These images can then be shared with dermatologists for assessment. The article highlighted the successful use of teletrichoscopy by one of the authors in visiting 235 patients since April 2020. The authors emphasized the importance of clear patient instructions for obtaining and using the appropriate instruments and software, as well as taking quality images for diagnosis. They concluded that teletrichoscopy is a promising new option for maintaining physician-patient contact and continuing care management for hair disorders during the pandemic.