Each individual has between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on their scalp. Hair is a primary characteristic among mammals and plays a wide range of functions, including thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity and is also used in social interaction. The hair shaft consists of terminally differentiated keratinocytes that are produced by the hair follicle. Hair follicles are created during fetal skin development and rely on tightly regulated ectodermal-mesodermal interactions. After birth, mature and actively growing hair follicles eventually become anchored in the subcutis and periodically regenerate by spontaneously undergoing repetitive cycles of growth (anagen), apoptosis-driven regression (catagen) and relative quiescence (telogen).1

1: Marlon R Schneider, Curr Biol. The hair follicle as a dynamic mini organ, 2009 Feb 10;19(3):R132-42.

Scalp dermoscopy, or trichoscopy, represents a valuable, noninvasive technique for the evaluation of patients with hair loss that allows for magnified visualization of the hair and scalp skin. It may be performed with a manual dermoscope (×10 magnification) or a videodermoscope (up to ×1,000 magnification). In particular, trichoscopy enhances the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, trichotillomania, congenital triangular alopecia, scarring alopecia, tinea capitis and hair shaft disorders. This method is simple, quick and easy to perform, reduces the need for scalp biopsy, is well accepted by patients, and is useful for monitoring treatment and follow-up.3

3. Rudnicka, L. et al. Trichoscopy: How It May Help The Clinician. Dermatologic Clinics. 2013 Jan;31(1):29-41.

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