The changing patterns of hair density and thickness in South Korean women with hair loss: clinical office‐based phototrichogram analysis

• Published in: International journal of dermatology 2009-01, Vol.48 (1), p.14-21
• Main Authors: Kang, Hoon, Kang, Tae Wook, Lee, Seung Dong, Park, Young Min, Kim, Hyung Ok, Kim, Si Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Distribution; Alopecia - diagnosis; Alopecia - epidemiology; Analysis of Variance; Biological and medical sciences; Cohort Studies; Dermatology; Dermatology - methods; Female; Hair - growth & development; Hair - pathology; Hair - ultrastructure; Hair and nails disorders; Humans; Korea - epidemiology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Photography; Probability; Risk Factors; Scalp Dermatoses - diagnosis; Scalp Dermatoses - epidemiology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03795.x

Background  The principal objective of this study was to investigate the clinical office‐based phototrichogram (PT) findings of multiple scalp areas in South Korean women with hair loss. Methods  Two hundred and fifty‐eight women with hair loss were classified into 155 female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and 103 telogen effluvium (TE) patients. Hair density and thickness were measured via computer software‐assisted PT. Eleven scalp sites, including the three points of the front, top, and back of the head and the right and left sides of the head area, were targeted in this investigation. Results  PT profiles of the patients with hair loss showed significantly reduced hair density and thickness relative to the controls. The TE group showed the same order distribution as the control group, but the density and thickness were significantly lower than those of the controls. The values for the FPHL patient group declined with increasing Ludwig grade. The curve patterns of mean hair density and thickness by scalp site were shown to differ from group to group and to have a peculiar distribution. Conclusion  The results of this study indicate that hair density and thickness vary over the entire scalp area in patients suffering from hair loss. The measurement of multiple scalp sites and the observation of changing patterns of hair parameters are very informative in terms of differentiating less apparent hair loss disorders. Through this study, we wish to introduce a doctor‐ and patient‐friendly hair evaluation tool for use in clinic offices.