Scalp Diagnosis Before Hair Transplant
Scalp Diagnosis Before Hair Transplant Surgery
Diagnosing alopecia areata of the hair and scalp is an important part of the process of identifying the causes of this disease and choosing the most effective treatment method. Alopecia or baldness is a problem that occurs as a result of several causes, including:
1. Hormonal changes
2. Metabolic disorders
3. chronic stress
4. Genetic predisposition influence of environmental factors.
Preliminary diagnosis allows you to determine what factors affect the condition of the hair, scalp, eliminate them before transplantation.
The doctor conducts an external examination, examines the condition of the skin vegetation.
If necessary, laboratory tests are prescribed: for example, antibodies to TTG, T3, T4, TH, LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, DHT, cortisol. The study also allows you to determine inflammatory processes of the epidermis, infectious, fungal diseases, metabolic disorders; the work of the sebaceous glands. Based on the data obtained, an individual rehabilitation program is selected, as well as the transplantation technique. In addition to preparation for transplantation, diagnostics gives the opportunity to minimize the risk of subsequent complications and increases the chances of successful recovery.
Indications for diagnostics:
The procedure is specified in the following cases:
1. To determine activity, rate of loss;
2. To evaluate the epidermis, the vessels of the scalp;
3. To analyze the condition of the rod – its length, thickness, possible developmental abnormalities are examined;
4. To assess the possibility of follicle atrophy, the presence of keratosis plugs;
5. To identify specific signs for each type
6. For prognosis of the risk of developing pathology
7. For observation before and after transplantation.
8. The most informative, accurate methods for diagnosis are considered trichoscopy and phototrichogram. They are mandatory for a reliable diagnosis before the implantation procedure as they show a complete picture of the condition of the hair.
How often should you be examined?
The optimal frequency of examination by a trichologist depends on the individual characteristics of each patient. Usually, in the presence of obvious symptoms, indications, it is recommended to undergo diagnostics at least twice a year.
This allows timely detection, prevention of various alopecia problems and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. In some cases, the doctor may recommend more frequent visits. In addition, a comprehensive examination is shown in case of changes in living conditions or external factors can affect hair health. This can be a move to another climatic zone, a change in nutrition, stress and other factors.
It is especially important to make a diagnosis before transplantation.
This allows you to identify the affected area, agree on the needs of the patient, draw possible contours of areas for transplantation.
How does the diagnosis of the hair condition take place?
Thanks to the high qualifications of doctors, the true causes of baldness, concomitant pathologies are revealed and an individual program for restoring density is selected.
Pre-transplantation work with a trichologist goes through the following stages:
1. Initial consultation
At the 1st appointment the doctor examines the area affected by alopecia. Doctor determines the skin, the shape of the foci, the level of the lesions on the Norwood scale.
2. It is important that the patient has an idea of what they want from the transplant procedure, i.e. they have certain requirements.
3. During the appointment, the doctor draws the contours of the subsequent transplant, coordinates all the details of the future procedure.
4. During the consultation, the density of the transplanted follicular associations is taken into account, as well as factors that will influence the final appearance of the future hairstyle.
5. An important place is occupied by external examination, during which the density in the anterior region, the top of the head, the parietal and the back of the head is compared;
6. The width of the parting, the presence of scaling, inflammatory foci are evaluated;
7. In case of localized hair loss – the zone of loosened hair is determined, a pull test is performed to determine the loss of curls.
8. Mandatory computer diagnostic trichoscopy is performed.
9. This is a visual assessment of the oral condition of the follicles, rod, skin surface using a trichoscope (a device with a camera and magnifying optics).
10. This technique consists of examining the scalp with a special instrument.
Sensor of the scalp, problematic, healthy areas for comparison.
When the examination is performed, the image is transmitted to the doctor via computer and the program processes it and gives the results. The doctor then interprets the data and identifies specific signs of alopecia to make an accurate diagnosis;
phototrichogram – a method of alopecia assessment based on the study of growth and loss processes based on computer modeling. Thanks to this study, it is possible to monitor loss with high accuracy. In addition, the trichologist can detect the first signs of androgenetic, diffuse alopecia.
Most importantly, with the help of a trichogram, even minimal changes in the course of treatment can be assessed.