Parietal scalp is another affected area in female pattern hair loss: an analysis of hair density and hair diameter

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is explained by decrease in hair fiber production and their eventual miniaturization. It is considered a counterpart of male androgenetic alopecia but the role of androgens in its pathogenesis is yet to be proven. To evaluate the trichoscopic features in females with patterned hair loss. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and 37 cases were enrolled in our study. Detailed history and clinical examination were done to establish the diagnosis. Trichoscopic examination was done after taking consent in diagnosed cases. On trichoscopy, hair diameter variability, peri pilar sign, white dots, scalp pigmentation and focal atrichia was observed in 62.2%, 62.2%, 40.5%, 45.9% and 40.5% respectively. Most common trichoscopy finding observed was peri pilar sign and hair diameter variability in 23/37 females. Definitive diagnosis of FPHL is difficult to be established solely on the basis of clinical examination. Thus, trichoscopy serves as a non-invasive tool to ascertain the diagnosis in these patients.

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Female Pattern Hair Loss in Female and Male: A Quantitative Trichoscopic Analysis in Chinese Han Patients

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.649392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Xi Chen ◽

Xiangqian Li ◽

Baifu Chen ◽

Yue Yin ◽

Jianzhong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hair Follicle ◽

Hair Loss ◽

Hair Shaft ◽

Occipital Area ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Hair Density ◽

Single Hair ◽

Shaft Diameter ◽

Female Pattern Hair Loss ◽

Normal Controls

Objectives: To investigate the trichoscopic features of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in Chinese Han patients and analyze the difference between male and female patients with FPHL.Materials and Methods: Trichoscopic images were taken in four different scalp areas, including right frontal hairline, vertex, right parietal and occipital areas. Hair density, hair shaft diameter, vellus hair ratio and single hair follicle unit ratio were counted manually and analyzed.Results: Seventy-three subjects were enrolled in this study, including 38 patients with FPHL (28 females and 10 males) and 35 normal controls without hair loss. The hair density and hair shaft diameter of FPHL patients reduced in the whole scalp. Vellus hair ratio and single hair follicle unit ratio were both increased in FPHL compared to normal controls. The vertex was the most affected area and the hair shaft diameter showed the most significant difference. Parietal and occipital area were also affected in FPHL. The reduction or increase was correlated with the severity of Ludwig staging. Very few gender differences were detected in male and female FPHL patients.Conclusion: FPHL patients showed decreased hair density and hair shaft diameter, accompanied by increased vellus hair ratio and single hair follicle unit ratio. Parietal and occipital area can be also affected in FPHL, though not as severe as in vertex area. FPHL in male basically has the same characteristic as those in female patients.Limitation: The main limitation of the study is the small sample size which only enrolled 10 male FPHL patients, in comparison to the female cases. The findings could not be representative of the normal population with the limited sample size.

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The Female Pattern Hair Loss: Review of Etiopathogenesis and Diagnosis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/767628 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Anja Vujovic ◽

Véronique Del Marmol

Keyword(s):

Hair Loss ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Diagnostic Testing ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Hair Follicles ◽

Hair Density ◽

Female Pattern Hair Loss ◽

Significant Impairment ◽

Pattern Distribution

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common hair loss disorder in women. Initial signs may develop during teenage years leading to a progressive hair loss with a characteristic pattern distribution. The condition is characterized by progressive replacement of terminal hair follicles over the frontal and vertex regions by miniaturized follicles, that leads progressively to a visible reduction in hair density. Women diagnosed with FPHL may undergo significant impairment of quality of life. FPHL diagnosis is mostly clinical. Depending on patient history and clinical evaluation, further diagnostic testing may be useful. The purpose of the paper is to review the current knowledge about epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of FPHL.

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