JAAD onlineClinical pearlColored dots on trichoscopy—beware of artifacts
Section snippets
Clinical challenge
Successful trichoscopy, which is essential for evaluating scalp and hair disorders, warrants cognizance of artifacts that may mimic specific disorders. The peripilar sign, which is characterized by a perifollicular brown halo, is a specific finding of early androgenetic alopecia that reflects perifollicular inflammation.1 Many young patients use hair dyes and henna on account of premature canities. These chemicals penetrate hair follicles, giving a pseudoperipilar sign that is suggestive of
Solution
Trichoscopists should routinely determine patients' specific history of use of hair dye (or henna) and its color and type, as well as the number of shampoo washes between the application and day of trichoscopic evaluation. Knowing the type and longevity of dyes (ie, demipermanent, semipermanent [including henna], or temporary dyes [which last up to 20, 3-6, and a single shampoo wash, respectively])2 is equally vital to discern the validity of the observed peripilar sign. Dyed hair shafts (Fig 1
References (2)
- et al.
Trichoscopy in alopecias: diagnosis simplified
Int J Trichology
(2013) - et al.
Types of hair dye and their mechanisms of action
Cosmetics
(2015)
Cited by (4)
[Translated article] Trichoscopy in Alopecia Areata
2023, Actas Dermo-SifiliograficasEntodermoscopy Update: A Contemporary Review on Dermoscopy of Cutaneous Infections and Infestations
2021, Indian Dermatology Online JournalPseudotrichoscopic findings from colour product use: a retrospective analysis and a test to reproduce findings
2021, Clinical and Experimental DermatologyFor the love of color: Plant colors and the dermatologist
2020, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
Funding sources: None.
Conflicts of interest: None disclosed.
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