Trichoscopy as an Essential Diagnostic Technique for Hair and Scalp Disorders in Skin of Color: A Case-Control Study

From 2015 to 2019, a case-control study involving 605 patients was conducted to assess the effectiveness of trichoscopy in diagnosing hair and scalp disorders. The study found that trichoscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic technique, was effective in identifying features of different types of alopecia and scalp disorders. For instance, in diffuse alopecia areata, common findings included black dots, yellow dots, broken hair, and vellus hairs. In androgenetic alopecia, hair diameter variability of ≥20% was the most common finding. The study also identified 35 distinctive trichoscopic features significant in diagnosing localized and diffuse alopecias. The study concluded that trichoscopy is a reliable tool for quick and non-invasive assessment of the scalp, which can guide therapy and management.