Hair loss and scalp issues are concerns that affect millions of people around the world. Hair thinning or sudden bald spots can greatly affect a person’s emotions and mental well-being.
To address these concerns, dermatologists often rely on advanced diagnostic tools like trichoscopy. But what precisely does trichoscopy involve and who are trichologists?
What is Trichoscopy?
Trichoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic method used by dermatologists to examine the scalp and hair. It involves the use of a specialized device known as a dermatoscope, which magnifies the scalp and hair structures, allowing the doctor to see details that are not visible to the naked eye. This technique provides a closer look at the hair shafts, follicles, and scalp skin, helping in the diagnosis of various hair and scalp disorders.
How is Trichoscopy Conducted?
The process is quite simple and painless. You do not need to prepare except to wash your hair a day before or on the day of the exam. Avoid using styling products for hair on the day of the examination.
The dermatologist either uses a handheld dermatoscope or a digital trichoscope connected to a computer, which captures high-resolution images. The pictures are carefully studied by the dermatologist to find any signs of hair or scalp issues. Patterns and abnormalities are noted.
What are the Benefits of Digital Trichoscopy?
While both manual and digital dermoscopy allow us to achieve the diagnosis, digital trichoscopy has a few advantages.
- Digital dermoscopy lets patients see changes on the screen, which can reassure them about their diagnosis. It also helps to explain changes on the scalp and allows patients to be actively involved in the diagnosis process.
- It allows us to save images for tracking treatment progress, documentation, and sharing with colleagues.
- Using digital dermoscopy, a dermatologist can observe more specifics because of the ability to utilize different levels of magnification.
Why is Trichoscopy Important?
Trichoscopy plays a crucial role in dermatology for several reasons:
Non-Invasive Diagnosis: Trichoscopy helps dermatologists diagnose hair and scalp conditions without invasive procedures. This means no pain, no stitches, and no recovery time for the patient.
Trichoscopy can often eliminate the need for a biopsy. A biopsy is a more invasive procedure. During a biopsy, a small piece of skin or scalp tissue is removed for examination. By providing detailed images and revealing specific signs of hair and scalp disorders, trichoscopy often eliminates the need for this step.
Ease of Use: Trichoscopy is relatively easy to perform and can be done quickly in a dermatology office. The instruments used, whether manual or digital, are straightforward to operate and provide immediate results.
Learning trichoscopy skills may seem easy and quick, but it actually takes years of practice to master them. Identifying patterns and correctly diagnosing them is insufficient as the same patterns can occur in various conditions. Properly interpreting these patterns necessitates a profound understanding of scientific literature and extensive practice.
Who Should Consider Trichoscopy?
Good candidates for trichoscopy are those who have unexplained hair loss. They may also experience ongoing scalp itching, dandruff, or noticeable changes in hair texture or thickness. This is helpful for people with thinning hair, patchy loss, or sudden shedding who want to get a correct diagnosis.
Common Conditions and Signs Diagnosed by Trichoscopy
Trichoscopy can help identify different types of hair loss and scalp conditions. Some of the most common include:
Androgenetic Alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern hair loss, this is one of the most common causes of hair loss. Trichoscopy reveals characteristic signs such as variations in hair shaft diameter, with some hairs appearing thinner than others.
Alopecia Areata: This autoimmune condition leads to sudden patches of hair loss. Under trichoscopy, dermatologists may observe yellow dots, which are keratin-filled follicles, or black dots, which indicate broken hairs within the follicles.
Lichen Planopilaris is a permanent hair loss condition that causes inflammation around hair follicles. Trichoscopy reveals perifollicular inflammation, which appears as redness or scaling around the hair follicles.
These are just a few examples of conditions that can be diagnosed with the help of trichoscopy. The ability to see these minute details makes trichoscopy an invaluable tool in the hands of a skilled dermatologist.
Who Are Trichologists?
While dermatologists specialize in skin, hair, and nail disorders, you may have also heard of professionals called trichologists. But who are they, and how do they differ from dermatologists?
The term “trichologist” can have different meanings depending on the region of the world.
In the US, trichologists are typically individuals who have experience in caring for hair and scalp. They may have backgrounds as cosmetologists or barbers. Additionally, they have received education on hair and scalp health.
They are not medical doctors and do not have the authority to diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medical treatment. They help clients with hair care advice, styling tips, and natural ways to manage hair loss or scalp problems. Trichologists in the U.S. can help with hair care and treatments, but they may not prescribe medication for hair loss.
Dermatologists in the USA who are board-certified are educated to identify and manage hair disorders. The American Academy of Dermatology’s qualification examination includes key questions on trichoscopy, diagnostic characteristics, and treatment of hair conditions. Treating hair loss takes time and patience, so not all dermatologists can focus on it. It can be a lengthy process that requires dedication.
In Europe: The term trichologist may refer to professionals who are actually physicians with specialized training in hair diseases. Patients should know the qualifications of the trichologist they see. Dermatologists and trichologists both help with hair and scalp health, but they have different roles and qualifications. Just having the title doesn’t mean they have the same medical knowledge.
At our clinic, we carry out comprehensive hair loss assessments. Our board-certified dermatologist performs a clinical examination of the scalp and hair, using trichoscopy for precise diagnosis. If necessary, we can also perform scalp biopsies and hair shaft microscopy. We devise an in-depth treatment strategy and personalized approach.