Trichoscopy Criteria for Diagnosing Female Androgenic Alopecia

May 2008 in “ Nature Precedings ”

Adriana Rakowska, Monika Słowińska, Elzbieta Kowalska-Oledzka, Malgorzata Olszewska, Lidia Rudnicka

trichoscopy female androgenic alopecia FAGA chronic telogen effluvium CTE yellow dots thin hairs decreased hair thickness single-hair units vellus hairs perifollicular discoloration frontal area occiput female pattern hair loss hair thinning hair shedding baby hairs scalp discoloration

Studysummary In this study, trichoscopy was used to diagnose female androgenic alopecia with 92% specificity by identifying specific hair and scalp patterns.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study evaluated trichoscopy as a diagnostic tool for female androgenic alopecia (FAGA) in 131 females, including 59 with FAGA, 33 with chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), and 39 healthy controls. It established major and minor criteria for diagnosing FAGA with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 92%. Major criteria were an increased number of yellow dots, thin hairs, and decreased hair thickness in the frontal area, while minor criteria included increased ratios of single-hair units, vellus hairs, and follicles with perifollicular discoloration in the frontal area compared to the occiput. The diagnosis of FAGA could be made with 98% specificity when two major criteria or one major and two minor criteria were met. The study concluded that trichoscopy is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic method for FAGA and provided a standardized report form for clinical use.

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