Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Scarring and Non-Scarring Alopecia Real-Time Assessment

May 2016 in “ Archives of Dermatological Research ”

Marco Ardigò, Marina Agozzino, Chiara Franceschini, Carlo Donadio, Leonardo Spagnol Abraham, Luca Barbieri, Isabella Sperduti, Enzo Berardesca, Salvador González

reflectance confocal microscopy scarring alopecia non-scarring alopecia intra-epidermal inflammation peri-adnexal infiltration dermal infiltration inflammatory cells melanophages androgenic alopecia alopecia areata dermoscopy RCM SA NSA inflammation AGA AA

TLDR Reflectance confocal microscopy can help tell apart scarring from non-scarring hair loss.

The study investigated the use of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) to distinguish between scarring alopecia (SA) and non-scarring alopecia (NSA) in 86 patients. It found specific RCM features that could predict SA, such as intra-epidermal inflammation and peri-adnexal and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells, with melanophages being more frequently detected in SA. While RCM could differentiate between SA and NSA, no significant differences were found between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. The study suggests RCM could enhance non-invasive alopecia assessment in combination with dermoscopy, despite limitations like cost and the need for specialized training. Further research is needed to validate RCM's use in treatment monitoring and distinguishing between different alopecia subtypes.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Hair Loss Patient

69 citations, August 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Trichoscopy is a quick, cost-effective tool for diagnosing different hair loss conditions.

research Autoimmune Disease and Hair Loss

35 citations, October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Autoimmune diseases can cause hair loss, and early treatment is important to prevent permanent damage.

research Primary Cicatricial Alopecias

18 citations, October 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are key for managing rare scalp disorders that cause permanent hair loss.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Can Differentiate Dermoscopic White Dots of the Scalp Between Sweat Gland Ducts or Follicular Infundibulum

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Can Differentiate Dermoscopic White Dots of the Scalp Between Sweat Gland Ducts or Follicular Infundibulum

20 citations, April 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Reflectance confocal microscopy can tell apart white dots on the scalp as either sweat gland ducts or hair follicle openings.

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of the Yellow Dot Pattern in Alopecia Areata

39 citations, January 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Reflectance confocal microscopy confirms that yellow dots are signs of damaged hair follicles in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Review and Treatment Approaches

50 citations, March 2000 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Alopecia Areata has no guaranteed treatment for hair regrowth, but options like corticosteroids and minoxidil are used, with future research focusing on genetic and immune therapies.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

research Hair and Nail Conditions: Alopecia Evaluation

1 citations, June 2022 in “PubMed”

Alopecia causes hair loss and should be treated early, especially scarring types where hair cannot regrow.

research Common Causes of Hair Loss: Clinical Manifestations, Trichoscopy, and Therapy

47 citations, December 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

The document concludes that understanding and treating hair loss requires recognizing its various types and using appropriate diagnostic tools and treatments.

research Hair Disorders

August 2018 in “Oxford University Press eBooks”

The document's conclusion cannot be provided because the document cannot be parsed.

Non-Infectious Dermatoses of the Scalp: A North Indian Study

research Hair Diseases

28 citations, September 1998 in “Medical Clinics of North America”

Most hair loss can be diagnosed with patient history and physical exam, and a few common types make up most cases.

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Scarring and Non-Scarring Alopecia Real-Time Assessment

Research cited in this study

research Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Hair Loss Patient

research Autoimmune Disease and Hair Loss

research Primary Cicatricial Alopecias

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Can Differentiate Dermoscopic White Dots of the Scalp Between Sweat Gland Ducts or Follicular Infundibulum

research Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of the Yellow Dot Pattern in Alopecia Areata

research Alopecia Areata: Clinical Review and Treatment Approaches

Related Community Posts Join

community Red Light Therapy: Cheap Chinese LED caps are better than $3000 laser caps

community For those that have used anti androgens what is your experience?

community Scientists in Japan develop a new technique to reverse balding by transplanting a special kind of hair follicle cell into a patient's scalp

community 4 years on finasteride and Minoxidil with great success. Ask me stuff!

community The celebrated doctors that we adore so much and whose advice we hear without doubts, are only humans after all

community Here are the results from my journey! I used saw palmetto tablets instead of Finasteride(I was afraid of using it), 5% Minoxidil spray and Derma Pen once a week 1.5mm.

Related Research

research Hair and Nail Conditions: Alopecia Evaluation

research Common Causes of Hair Loss: Clinical Manifestations, Trichoscopy, and Therapy

research Hair Disorders

research Non-Infectious Dermatoses of the Scalp: A North Indian Study

research Role of Trichoscopy in Children's Scalp and Hair Disorders

research Topical and Intralesional Therapies for Alopecia Areata

research Hair Diseases