A trichogram is an analysis of the current hair root status. It can be used to estimate the phases of the hair cycle, as well as the hair’s growth capacity and the percentage of hair loss.
Indications (areas of application)
- Investigation of the nature of alopecia (hair loss).
- To determine the activity of alopecia
- To control the therapy of alopecia
The procedure
To obtain the best results, the examination should be carried out according to standardized conditions. To do this, the hair should not have been washed for at least five days. Other changes to the hair such as coloring should also be avoided for at least two weeks prior to the examination.
During the examination, 50-100 hairs are epilated (plucked out) on a defined part of the head, usually on the crown or forehead. Subsequently, the hairs, especially the hair roots, are analyzed under the microscope. Special attention is paid to pathological (pathological) changes in the hair roots, e.g. curvatures, breakages or hairs that deviate greatly from the normal structure. The examination provides information about the current growth behavior of the hair based on the hair shaft and the hair root.
The standard values
The normal values in the trichogram in the microscopic examination:
- Anagen hair phase (growth phase): circa 85-90% of the hair is in this phase, which lasts for circa 2-6 years; during this period, the hair grows about 0.2-0.3 mm daily, or about 1 cm per month.
- Catagen hair phase (transition phase): circa 2-3% of the hair is in this phase, which lasts only a few days to 3 weeks.
- Telogen hair phase (resting or failure phase): circa 10-15% are in this phase, which lasts up to about 3-4 months; in this phase, the shedding of the visible part of the hair is prepared or the hair is loosened; when combing or washing the hair is lost.
Through a professional examination with the help of the trichogram, a disorder of hair growth can be detected in time and safely, so that it can be treated effectively.
