Quantitative trichoscopic analysis of hair density in people attending tertiary care hospital – A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Hair is important to trace evidence commonly encountered in almost all criminal cases. Forensic anthropologists routinely compare the morphological characteristics of the hair samples to determine a transfer. Assessment of parameters such as hair density, hair diameter, follicular units, and empty hair follicle/yellow dots are useful for the diagnosis of various hair disorders, monitoring treatment outcomes, and research purposes. The study aimed to analyze the relationship between age and hair density. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology at a tertiary care center. All the subjects attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department fulfilling inclusion criteria were studied. Data were collected after the approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee. The procedure was explained and a written consent was taken. Each patient’s hair was parted in the middle and images from a point of roughly 5 inches from the patient’s glabella were taken. The parameters such as hair thickness, hair density, hair count, follicular units, and empty hair follicles/yellow dots were noted. Results: In the present study, the majority of the study subjects belonged to the age group 26–35 years (38%), followed by 18–25 years (34.7%), 36–45 years (20.7%), and least in the age group of 46–55 years (6.7%). In the present study, the mean unit density in males was 104.78 ± 14.33 and that of females was 108.36 ± 17.60. Conclusion: Mean hair density varies concerning age group in the study population.