ABSTRACT

Trichoscopy (hair and scalp dermoscopy) is a valuable in vivo tool for the differential diagnosis of clinically frequent hair diseases. It is based on evaluation of basic structures that may be visualized with a dermascope; follicular openings, hair shafts and perifollicular epidermis. This method is useful to diagnose early androgenetic alopecia, to distinguish androgenetic alopecia from telogen effluvium, to make differential diagnosis of patchy alopecias and differentiate scarring from nonscarring alopecias. This article summarizes the current knowledge in abnormal appearances of basic structural components on trichoscopy and characteristic trichoscopic features of the most common hair diseases.