Examining your hair and scalp is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy hairstyle. Not only does this help identify existing problems such as hair loss or skin inflammation, but it also allows for early detection of potential health risks. Thanks to modern techniques such as trichoscopy and elemental hair testing, it is possible to diagnose problems with greater precision than ever before. What does this research involve?
What is trichoscopy and what does it involve?
Trichoscopy is an advanced technique that allows for a thorough analysis of the hair and scalp. It uses a special device with a microscope, allowing you to view the hair and scalp at a high magnification. Thanks to trichoscopy, doctors can assess the condition of the hair follicle, observe possible changes, and monitor the progress of treatment.
Before the examination begins, a special gel or liquid may be applied to the patient’s scalp to facilitate the movement of the trichoscope and improve image quality. The device is applied to different areas of the scalp, and the images are viewed on a monitor or through the doctor’s special glasses. The trichoscope allows observation of microscopic details of the hair and scalp structure. The doctor analyzes the images obtained with the trichoscope, evaluating various characteristics such as hair density, diameter, the condition of the hair follicle, and the presence of any pathological changes.
Trichoscopy is particularly useful in diagnosing various types of alopecia, including alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, and other hair loss disorders. It allows for an accurate visualization of the scalp, making it easier to diagnose inflammation, infections, or other skin diseases. Trichoscopy also allows the doctor to monitor changes in the structure of the hair and scalp during treatment, providing an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the therapy and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.
What is elemental hair testing and what does it involve?
Elemental hair testing is a diagnostic procedure aimed at determining the content of various elements in hair. It involves taking a hair sample from the patient and analyzing its chemical composition to identify possible deficiencies or excesses of essential elements. Typically, the patient is asked to provide a small hair sample that can be easily collected from various areas of the scalp. The collected sample is carefully cleaned and prepared for analysis to remove any external contamination. The sample undergoes chemical analysis, which may include various methods such as spectrometry, atomic analysis, etc. These techniques allow for the accurate determination of the content of various elements in a hair sample. The results of the analysis are then interpreted by specialists who assess whether the element content in the sample is within the norm or if there are any irregularities.
Elemental hair analysis can help identify nutritional deficiencies such as iron, zinc, magnesium, or vitamins. Changes in the content of elements in the hair may reflect changes in the patient’s health; therefore, such a test may be useful in monitoring the progress of the treatment of diseases such as hypothyroidism or metabolic disorders. This diagnostic method also helps in assessing exposure to toxic chemicals that may affect the patient’s health.
What are the indications for a hair test?
Hair tests are recommended in various situations, mainly when there are problems with the hair or scalp. This procedure is especially recommended when the patient suffers from:
- excessive hair loss – tests will help identify the cause of this problem,
- skin problems – in the case of skin diseases such as dandruff, itching, acne, seborrhea, hair or scalp examinations may help in the diagnosis and determination of appropriate treatment,
- inflammation of the scalp – in case of suspicion or symptoms of inflammation, such as redness, burning or pain, the examination may help identify the disease and determine appropriate therapy,
- excessive dryness or oily hair – Patients who have difficulty maintaining the moisture balance in their hair or notice excessive sebum production on the scalp, choosing this test can help determine the cause of these problems.
How are hair loss tests performed?
Hair loss tests begin with an interview with the patient, in which the doctor collects information about the history of the hair disease, symptoms and risk factors. The specialist visually assesses the degree of hair loss and the condition of the scalp, looking for visible signs of problems. When examining hair loss, the doctor pays special attention to the condition of the scalp, looking for potential causes of hair loss, such as infections or inflammation.
If specific causes of hair loss are suspected, the specialist may order additional tests, such as blood tests, hormonal tests or biopsies. Based on the collected data, the results of the examination are discussed with the patient, a diagnosis is made and proposed methods of treatment and care for hair loss are made.
What tests should be performed in case of hair loss?
If hair loss is suspected, there are several useful diagnostic tests that can help identify the causes of the problem. Examples of hair loss tests include:
- blood tests that help assess the level of hormones, vitamins and minerals that affect hair health. Deficiency of iron, vitamin D, B vitamins and hormonal disorders may contribute to hair loss,
- Hormonal tests – focus on assessing the level of hormones, such as thyroid, sex and adrenal hormones. Changes in the levels of these hormones may be associated with female pattern or androgenetic alopecia,
- trichoscopic examination – carried out using a special microscopic tool that allows for a thorough assessment of the scalp and hair. This scalp examination can help assess the condition of hair follicles, identify baldness, etc.
- genetic testing – if androgenetic alopecia is suspected, genetic testing may help identify a genetic predisposition to this type of baldness,
- scalp biopsy – involves taking a small sample of the scalp for histopathological examination. A biopsy will help diagnose inflammation of the scalp, infection or alopecia areata,
- microbiological tests – in case of scalp infections, tests such as bacterial culture or tests for the presence of fungi can be very useful,
- hair test – allowing for a thorough assessment of the patient’s hair sample and possible health problems.
Why is it worth performing a hair and scalp examination?
Loss of self-confidence, decreased self-esteem and social withdrawal are just some of the problems that can be caused by hair loss. Therefore, examining them and the scalp is very useful in order to diagnose the cause of hair loss and initiate appropriate, effective treatment. This type of diagnostics makes it possible to detect various health problems at an early stage to facilitate faster and more effective treatment. Identifying potential causes of hair health problems, such as nutrient deficiencies, is also a possible benefit of hair testing. The price of such a procedure is not high (it starts from PLN 500), so everyone can afford precise diagnostics.
Finding the cause of hair loss and skin problems is crucial to effective treatment and preventing further damage. At the OT.CO Clinic, we provide comprehensive diagnostics in this area. We use modern equipment to obtain reliable, precise results. We take care of the comfort and satisfaction of patients at every stage of hair loss.
