Are You Losing Your Hair?
The first step to answering this question is to get a thorough hair loss analysis. A hair analysis is absolutely vital in properly diagnosing hair loss. The results of the examination can determine if you are losing your hair, the rate at which your hair is being lost, and whether the loss is permanent.
The primary focus of a hair analysis is to determine the amount of healthy vs. weakened hair follicles present on a scalp. Hair is categorized into three types according to the hair follicle’s diameter: Terminal hair, Intermediate hair and Vellus hair.
Terminal hairs typically have a diameter greater than 60 microns and are the healthiest, most robust follicles. Intermediate hairs measure anywhere from 30 microns to 59 microns and are transitioning away from healthy hair to a “middle ground” category. Vellus hairs are the thinnest, measuring at anything less than 30 microns. They represent the thinnest, frailest category of hair.
Densitometer Examination:
Hair density on the surface of the scalp can be evaluated using a densitometer, a high-power magnification device that provides information on hair density (spacing between follicular units), hair
the diameter and the degree of hair loss that might be in progress.
If the spacing between follicular units is increased but without the reduction in the hair diameter, this suggests metabolic (reversible) hair loss. However, if the examination reveals 15 percent or more of the hair has reduced diameter, this is more suggestive of genetic (permanent) hair loss.
The densitometer exam can determine the ratio of terminal, intermediate and vellus hairs on a scalp and identify if progressive miniaturization is in process.
