TLDR In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy is useful for evaluating hair shaft diseases but needs improvement for deeper hair follicle issues.
The 2008 study "In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy: usefulness for diagnosing hair diseases" explored the use of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) for diagnosing hair diseases. The study involved eight participants, two healthy individuals and six patients with hair diseases such as alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, and genetic hair shaft abnormalities. The RCM technique allowed for detailed analysis of hair structure by providing high-quality images of hair shaft intersections. However, it was limited to visualizing only the superficial parts of the hair follicles up to a depth of 200µm. The study concluded that while RCM could be a valuable tool for evaluating hair shaft diseases, further development was needed to apply this technique to abnormalities of the hair follicle and the perifollicular area.
143 citations,
October 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Comma hairs are a specific sign of tinea capitis when viewed with videodermatoscopy.
74 citations,
July 2008 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports” Trichoscopy is a quick and easy way to diagnose most genetic hair problems without invasive methods.
196 citations,
June 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Dermoscopy helps diagnose and manage alopecia areata by showing specific hair changes.
5 citations,
May 2008 in “Nature Precedings” Trichoscopy is a useful non-invasive method to diagnose female hair loss with high accuracy.
150 citations,
April 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Scalp dermoscopy is good for diagnosing a type of hair loss and helps choose the best spots for biopsy.
304 citations,
July 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Videodermoscopy improves diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders and may reduce scalp biopsies.
71 citations,
May 2006 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” TTD hair brittleness is caused by multiple structural abnormalities.
January 2021 in “Indian journal of dermatopathology and diagnostic dermatology” Trichoscopy is a reliable method for diagnosing hair and scalp disorders quickly and non-invasively.
The woman has unexplained hair loss and it's unclear what her condition is or how to treat it.
245 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.
Trichotillometry can measure hair plucking force, aiding alopecia treatment evaluation.
25 citations,
December 2008 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports” In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy is useful for evaluating hair shaft diseases but needs improvement for deeper hair follicle issues.
