title: Analysis of the efficiency of hair removal by different optical methods: comparison of Trichoscan, reflectance confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography.
abstract: Noninvasive diagnostic tools, such as Trichoscan®, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT), are efficient methods of hair shaft and growth evaluation. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative assessment of these three medical procedures by measuring the hair shaft and hair growth after hair removal for a defined period of five days. The application of these techniques was demonstrated by measuring hair growth on the lower leg of six female volunteers. After removal of the hair shaft with a shaving system, the hair follicle infundibula and the length of the growing hairs were measured with the Trichoscan®, RCM, and OCT method. All three methods are reliable hair measuring tools after hair removal. Trichoscan® is best suited in the implementation of hair growth measurement and RCM in the analysis of hair follicles, whereas the OCT system can be consulted as an additional measurement for the evaluation of the hair follicle and length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology-CCP, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. monika.kuck@charite.de
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuck
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schanzer
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garcia Bartels
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meinke
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fluhr
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krah
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blume-Peytavi
authors.forename: Eggert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stockfleth
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lademann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*