Topic

Diagnosis

22 articles, newest first.

Scarring AlopeciaDiagnosisInflammation
Lichen Planopilaris: The Scarring Alopecia Most Dermatologists Miss
Lichen planopilaris is a primary scarring alopecia that destroys follicles permanently. Early diagnosis is the only opportunity to preserve hair, but symptoms are often misattributed.
Apr 1, 2026·5 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisResearchScarring Alopecia
Trichoscopy: The Diagnostic Tool That Should Be Standard in Every Hair Consultation
A handheld dermatoscope and three minutes is enough to distinguish androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and telogen effluvium. Many consultations still rely on visual inspection alone.
Feb 24, 2026·6 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
Telogen EffluviumResearchDiagnosis
Thyroid Hormone and Hair Loss: Both Hypo and Hyperthyroidism Trigger Shedding
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism both cause hair loss, but through different mechanisms. Testing TSH is the most basic workup item for unexplained shedding, and one of the most commonly overlooked.
Feb 14, 2026·6 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisHair TransplantResearch
Norwood Scale: Why the Classification System Matters More Than People Realise
The Norwood scale is older than most current hair loss treatments. It remains the standard staging tool, and getting the staging right shapes every subsequent treatment decision.
Feb 2, 2026·7 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
GeneticsResearchDiagnosis
Genetic Testing for Hair Loss: What 23andMe and Polygenic Scores Actually Predict
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests report male pattern hair loss risk. The science behind those reports is more complicated, and less predictive, than the marketing suggests.
Jan 31, 2026·7 months ago·Liam Foster, MSc
DiagnosisFemale Pattern Hair LossResearch
Ludwig Scale vs Sinclair Scale: Choosing the Right Female Pattern Classification
The Ludwig scale has been the standard female pattern hair loss classification since 1977. The Sinclair scale offers more granular staging that has become preferred for clinical trials.
Jan 9, 2026·7 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
Scarring AlopeciaCosmeticDiagnosis
Traction Alopecia: Prevention Matters Because Treatment Doesn't Work Well
Traction alopecia from tight hairstyles is one of the few common forms of hair loss that's almost entirely preventable. Once established, treatment options are limited.
Nov 3, 2025·10 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisResearchMental Health
Trichotillomania: Hair Loss From an Underrecognised Mental Health Condition
Trichotillomania, compulsive hair pulling, affects approximately 1% of adults but is underdiagnosed because patients rarely volunteer the behaviour. Treatment requires recognising it.
Oct 29, 2025·10 months ago·Liam Foster, MSc
DiagnosisResearchFemale Pattern Hair Loss
Hair Loss in Asian Patients: Why Standard Norwood Assumptions Don't Always Apply
Androgenetic alopecia in Asian patients shows distinct patterns that don't always fit the Norwood scale designed for European populations. Treatment timing and approach differ.
Oct 27, 2025·10 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
Scarring AlopeciaDiagnosisFemale Pattern Hair Loss
Hair Loss Patterns in African Descent: CCCA and Distinct Considerations
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is the most common scarring alopecia in women of African descent. It's underdiagnosed and treatment opportunities are time-limited.
Oct 22, 2025·10 months ago·Liam Foster, MSc
DiagnosisTreatmentResearch
Hair Loss in Adolescents: When Pattern Hair Loss Starts Young
Androgenetic alopecia can begin in late adolescence in patients with strong genetic predisposition. Treatment timing and choice in young patients deserves specific consideration.
Sep 4, 2025·12 months ago·Liam Foster, MSc
DiagnosisResearchTreatment
AI-Based Hair Density Measurement: Smartphone Apps That Actually Work
Several smartphone apps now use machine learning to measure hair density from photographs. The clinical validation is mixed but the trajectory is promising.
Aug 30, 2025·12 months ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisTelogen EffluviumResearch
Hair Pull Test: The Diagnostic Procedure Anyone Can Perform
The hair pull test is one of the simplest diagnostic procedures in dermatology. Performed correctly, it distinguishes active telogen effluvium from stable hair loss.
Aug 18, 2025·12 months ago·Liam Foster, MSc
Telogen EffluviumResearchDiagnosis
Hair Loss After COVID Vaccination: Causation vs Correlation
Reports of hair loss following COVID vaccination prompted public concern. The epidemiological data shows the connection is complicated and largely explained by other factors.
Aug 16, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisInflammationResearch
Trichodynia: The Scalp Pain Some Hair Loss Patients Experience
Some patients with hair loss describe scalp pain, burning, or sensitivity. The condition has a name, trichodynia, and addressing it can improve treatment adherence.
Aug 6, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
CosmeticDiagnosisTreatment
Heat Styling Damage and Hair Loss: When Cosmetic Damage Becomes Clinical Concern
Daily heat styling damages the hair shaft but doesn't typically cause follicle loss. Where heat styling crosses into clinical territory is more complicated.
Aug 4, 2025·about 1 year ago·Liam Foster, MSc
Telogen EffluviumDiagnosisTreatment
Hair Loss From Common Medications: A Reference for What to Watch For
Many widely prescribed medications can cause hair loss. Recognising medication as a potential cause prevents unnecessary workup and enables treatment adjustment.
Jul 30, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
Mental HealthResearchDiagnosis
Hair Loss Awareness Without Anxiety: The Psychological Side That Matters
Hair loss causes psychological distress for many patients in ways disproportionate to its medical severity. Recognising and addressing this dimension improves outcomes.
Jul 13, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisResearchPediatric
Loose Anagen Syndrome: When Children's Hair Comes Out Painlessly
Loose anagen syndrome causes painless extraction of hair shafts in young children. It's underdiagnosed but typically self-resolving with age.
Jun 29, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
Telogen EffluviumDiagnosisTreatment
Anagen Effluvium: When Hair Loss Comes Mid-Cycle
Anagen effluvium describes hair loss from follicles in growth phase, most commonly from chemotherapy. Understanding the mechanism helps distinguish it from telogen effluvium.
Jun 24, 2025·about 1 year ago·Liam Foster, MSc
Hair TransplantCosmeticDiagnosis
Crown vs Frontal Hair Loss: Why the Distinction Matters for Transplant Planning
The crown and frontal scalp behave differently in androgenetic alopecia progression and respond differently to transplantation. Planning needs to address each appropriately.
Jun 19, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD
DiagnosisHair TransplantCosmetic
Density Visualisation: How Many Hairs Per Square Centimetre Looks Like What
Hair density numbers are abstract until you see what each density actually looks like. Understanding the relationship between numbers and appearance helps set realistic expectations.
Jun 5, 2025·about 1 year ago·Dr. Maya Chen, MD, PhD

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