Scalp Dermoscopy or Trichoscopy

The document from 2015 describes trichoscopy, also known as scalp dermoscopy, as a noninvasive, valuable technique for diagnosing various hair and scalp disorders. It is performed with manual or video dermoscopes, offering magnifications from ×10 to ×1,000. Trichoscopy is effective for identifying characteristic features of conditions like androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and others, aiding in distinguishing between scarring and nonscarring alopecia and selecting biopsy sites. It also notes specific trichoscopic patterns for different conditions, such as hair diameter variability in androgenetic alopecia, exclamation-mark hairs in acute alopecia areata, and red dots in active discoid lupus erythematosus. The technique is highlighted for its simplicity, speed, patient acceptance, and its role in reducing the need for scalp biopsies while being useful for treatment monitoring and follow-up.