Studysummary This article reviews the clinical and diagnostic features of hair shaft disorders, emphasizing the role of structured patient assessments and the avoidance of hair trauma, but reports no new results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Hair shaft abnormalities, which can be congenital or acquired, manifest as changes in the hair's color, density, length, and structure, often leading to brittle and unmanageable hair that appears dry and lacks luster. These conditions can be localized or generalized and may be due to genetic factors or external influences. Diagnosing hair shaft diseases involves optic and polarized light microscopy, along with a thorough patient history and physical examination that includes other skin appendages. Understanding hair biology and embryology is crucial for identifying the various syndromes associated with hair shaft abnormalities. Treatment should address the underlying cause and minimize hair damage from external factors, with a recommendation for shorter hairstyles to ease management for affected individuals.
35 citations
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September 2003 in “Archives of dermatology” This study proposed that the tiger tail phenomenon in trichothiodystrophy hair is caused by regular undulations of hair fibers, altering the optical properties seen under polarized light.
34 citations
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August 2003 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” This study found that hair diameter increases toward the scalp during pregnancy, a novel observation compared to the normal decrease seen in nonpregnant women.
40 citations
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February 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology” In this study, hair damaged by permanent dye showed signs of recovery over time, with near complete restoration to its original state after eight weeks.
20 citations
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January 1997 in “Dermatology” This case report describes a 16-year-old with ectrodactyly-ED-clefting syndrome, where scarring alopecia with follicular involvement appeared during puberty, possibly due to anatomic hair abnormalities.
228 citations
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January 1997 in “Birkhäuser Basel eBooks” This article integrates existing literature on hair follicle structure and formation at the cellular and molecular level, reporting no new findings.
11 citations
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January 1997 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” This study identified a human sequence likely coding for a new ultra-high sulphur protein, which may aid in understanding hair differentiation and the molecular basis of human trichothiodystrophy.
30 citations
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December 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
