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For effective treatment of a disease, it is very important to correctly determine both the current state of the problem and its causes. And the more accurately the diagnosis is made, the faster you can achieve high-quality treatment results.
Diagnosis of hair problems
Abundant hair loss, various diseases of the scalp – seborrhea, dandruff, increased fat content – this is quite unpleasant and unaesthetic. It is very difficult to solve this problem on your own, since you must first determine the source of the problem. To do this, it is recommended to seek professional help from a trichologist.
It is worth noting that hormonal disruptions, taking various medications, bad habits, frequent stress, malnutrition, etc. can cause hair problems. Sometimes problems can be a sign of a serious disease of the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid gland or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, trying to ignore hair problems or trying to deal with them on your own can only aggravate the health condition.
During the initial examination, the trichologist determines the history of the disease and the nature of the symptoms.
Chronic diseases and factors that may have an impact on them are taken into account: trauma, psycho-emotional state, diet, lifestyle, medicines and medicines that the patient takes, hair care products. If necessary, consultations of doctors of related specialties are appointed.
To obtain in-depth information about the pathology, the trichologist conducts research: computer trichoscopy (this method allows you to examine the image of the root and hair shaft, as well as the scalp with multiple magnification, allows you to obtain information about the structure, thickness of the hair, makes it possible to identify defects – hair fracture, split ends, etc.); trichometry (microscopic examination to determine the timing and stage of alopecia); trichogram (study of follicles, the rate of growth and hair loss is determined).
In some cases, when a trichologist needs additional information about the causes of a disease or an aesthetic defect, additional studies are prescribed – a blood test or a multi-element hair analysis (spectral analysis).
Diagnostics is carried out on modern high-precision equipment by a trichologist with experience. A consultation with diagnostics lasts about 1,5 hours, however, to fully determine the picture of the disease, another 1-2 weeks are needed to receive the test results. When the doctor receives all the information about the causes of a particular disease, he will draw up an individual treatment program.
Trichogram: the purpose of the study and indications for use
Trichogram is a special diagnostic method that helps to identify signs of hair loss, diffuse alopecia and other hair pathologies. Diagnostics allows you to determine the following diseases of the scalp:
- oily or dry dandruff;
- seborrhea;
- violation of the sebaceous glands.
The main indications for the procedure are: peeling, dandruff and itching of the scalp; increased fat content of hair and not only at the roots, but also at the tips; split ends of hair, brittleness and dryness of hair; increased hair loss.
Trichogramma algorithm
The procedure does not cause any discomfort and pain, and it does not require any special preparation. Diagnostic procedures are carried out before treatment and without fail after treatment in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy selected by the doctor.
To undergo a trichogram, it is recommended to choose clinics with professional and competent specialists who can not only determine the presence of a problem, but also find its cause.
Several methods can be used to diagnose. The first method is the examination of approximately eighty hairs of the patient under a microscope. During the examination period, the doctor determines the thickness of the hairs, the condition of the bulbs, the condition of the hair along the entire length. Next, the scalp is examined under a microscope in order to determine the presence of a fungal disease (including seborrhea), as well as to detect the number of bulbs in the dormant stage and in the initial growth stage. In the process of this method, the trichologist determines the following types of alopecia: cicatricial, non-scarring, alopecia areata.
The second method involves the procedure through the use of an immersion liquid. This method allows you to determine the level of oily hair, the presence of fungal diseases and the state of the vessels of the head. Non-immersion trichoscopy is usually prescribed to determine the volume of dandruff, flaking and hyperkeratosis.
Diagnosis of hair condition – phototrichogram
More reliable diagnostic results can be obtained by conducting a phototrichogram. For diagnostics, special equipment is used, which transmits all information to the computer through the sensor. As a result, all received data is processed by a special program and a diagnosis with data is displayed on the monitor.
This type of trichogram is carried out in two stages.
The first stage involves shaving a small area on the head (approximately one square centimeter). Often, in order to obtain more accurate research data, several sections on the head are shaved (one should be on the back of the head). The skin on the shaved area is tinted with special dyes.
At the second stage, using a sensor, a camera and a computer, a study of the prepared skin areas is carried out in two or three days. The doctor-trichologist takes a series of pictures.
All received images are processed by a computer: the number of active hairs (in the growth phase), passive hairs (in the sleep phase), the number of ingrown hairs, etc. are counted.
After the diagnosis and obtaining all the necessary results, the trichologist selects the most effective and adequate treatment. It is worth noting that therapy is usually prescribed for at least six months, after which it is mandatory to undergo a second diagnosis.