Trichotillometry: A Technique for Hair Assessment

The document describes a study that introduced trichotillometry, a technique for evaluating hair status by measuring the force required to epilate a single hair. The study included 622 volunteers and used a modified digital scale to record the epilating force. It found that the force differed significantly among anagen, telogen, and catagen hair follicles, with no significant difference across scalp locations or sexes, but a significant difference in anagen follicles across age groups. Trichotillometry was presented as a reliable method for assessing hair loss and the response to treatments, particularly in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It is an office-based, easily reproducible technique that can diagnose hair loss-related diseases and is useful for clinical research. However, it has limitations such as patient discomfort and the inability to assess other hair parameters. Establishing a normal range for shear strain could be important for hair disease management.