Parietal Scalp Is Another Affected Area in Female Pattern Hair Loss: An Analysis of Hair Density and Hair Diameter

December 2017 in “ Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology ”

Salinee Rojhirunsakool, Poonkiat Suchonwanit

female pattern hair loss hair density hair diameter parietal area midscalp miniaturized hairs Ludwig staging 5α-reductase enzyme FPHL hair thinning hair miniaturization

Studysummary This study found significant differences in hair density, non-vellus hair diameter, and percentage of miniaturized hair between normal women and those with female pattern hair loss, particularly in the midscalp and parietal areas. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study analyzed hair density and diameter in women with female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and compared them to normal subjects. The results showed that the parietal area had the lowest hair density even in normal subjects, and FPHL subjects had statistically significant decreases in hair density and diameter on the midscalp and parietal areas. The study also revealed an increasing percentage of miniaturized hairs with higher Ludwig staging, and the pathophysiology of parietal scalp involvement in FPHL could be explained by increased 5α-reductase enzyme in this area compared to unaffected scalp. The study suggests that measuring hair density and diameter by computer-assisted software can offer practitioners quantitative data to identify FPHL.

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