TLDR The study found that hair fragility in Pili annulati may be caused by cavities and damage within the hair shafts.
In the 2012 case study, a 14-year-old girl with fair skin and dark hair was diagnosed with Pili annulati (PA) with unusual hair fragility, a deviation from the typical PA which does not involve hair fragility. The patient had experienced easily breakable, shiny beaded hair since she was four years old. Light pull tests resulted in a few broken hairs, and transmitted light microscopy showed periodic dark bands on the hair shaft, which disappeared after treatment with 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide. Electron microscopy revealed multiple cavities within the hair shaft and severe cuticular damage indicative of weathering. These findings supported the presence of fragility in PA, suggesting that the fragile hair structure in PA may be due to pathological cavities within the hair shafts.
49 citations,
September 2004 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Careful light microscopy is crucial for detecting mild cases of pili annulati, which weakens hair and varies widely in expression.
13 citations,
January 2001 in “Pediatric dermatology” A dark-haired Chinese girl had hair that looked banded under certain light but was normal under a microscope.
24 citations,
January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology” The document concludes that accurate diagnosis of hair loss in children is crucial due to limited treatment options and the condition's psychological impact.
126 citations,
January 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” The document concludes that understanding hair structure is key to diagnosing hair abnormalities and recommends gentle hair care for management.
43 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” The article concludes that advancements in hair cosmetics require dermatologists to stay informed about products and their potential risks, including allergies and higher risks for hairdressers.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” Understanding normal hair growth and loss in children is key to diagnosing and treating hair disorders.
Researchers found a genetic link for hereditary hair loss but need more analysis to identify the exact gene.
