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Background: Alopecia causes significant distress for patients and negatively impacts quality of life for low-grade glioma (LGG) patients. We aimed to compare and evaluate variations in dose distribution for scalp-sparing in LGG patients with proton therapy and photon therapy, namely intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and helical tomotherapy (HT)., Methods: This retrospective study utilized a dataset comprising imaging data from 22 patients with LGG who underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Treatment plans were generated for each patient with scalp-optimized (SO) approaches and scalp-non-optimized (SNO) approaches using proton techniques and photons techniques; all plans adhered to the same dose constraint of delivering a total radiation dose of 54.04 Gy to the target volume. All treatment plans were subsequently analyzed., Results: All the plans generated in this study met the dose constraints for the target volume and OARs. The SO plans resulted in reduced maximum scalp dose (D max ), mean scalp dose (D mean ), and volume of the scalp receiving 30 Gy (V 30 ) and 40 Gy (V 40 ) compared with SNO plans in all radiation techniques. Among all radiation techniques, the IMPT plans exhibited superior performance compared to other plans for dose homogeneity as for SO plans. Also, IMPT showed lower values for D mean and D max than all photon radiation techniques., Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the SO approach is a feasible technique for reducing scalp radiation dose. However, it is imperative to conduct prospective trials to assess the benefits associated with this approach., (© 2024. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Recipient area scalp necrosis is considered a potential complication of hair transplantation, but has rarely been reported. A small number of patients have developed scalp necrosis after hair transplantation with the widely used Follicular unit excision (FUE) technique. There are no guidelines to prevent and manage this complication. The aim of this study was to provide an insight into the pathogenesis, prevention, and management of scalp necrosis following hair transplantation., Methods: From 2012 to 2021, among more than 10 000 patients who underwent hair transplantation, only three developed scalp necrosis in our clinical experience, besides, one patient transferred to our hospital because of scalp necrosis after undergoing hair transplantation. According to the disease etiology and patients' symptom, a combination of wound management and antimicrobial therapy was employed. This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Nanfang Hospital., Results: Of the four patients, three received timely treatment and had a good prognosis. Necrosis became confined and healed within 2-3 weeks. Grafts in the lesion area partially survived. In case 4, due to improper treatment at the early stage, the lesion developed extensively and deeply, which not only delayed wound healing, but also resulted in complete loss of grafts., Conclusion: Preoperative prophylaxis, timely diagnosis, and immediate treatment of scalp necrosis can prevent serious complications and reduce morbidity after hair transplantation., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Scalp expansion is an optimal treatment for alopecia resulting from burn injuries, especially in the pediatric population through providing highly vascularized adjacent local tissues with optimal hair density, color matching, texture, and hair-bearing characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anterior capsulotomy and basal capsulectomy adherent to expanded scalp flap during alopecia reconstruction with scalp expansion in pediatric burned patients., Methods: The study was conducted on 127 patients with an age range of 5 to 19 years who presented with postburn alopecia accompanied by hairline loss. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I consisted of 58 patients who were operated on using conventional technique, and group II consisted of 69 patients who were operated using modified technique including basal capsulectomy on the skull side and anterior capsulotomy on the expanded scalp flap., Results: The Hairdex, a validated questionnaire of Hair-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life measures, showed that percentage of satisfaction concerning outcomes was 91.50%, psychological well-being was 95%, and self-confidence was 84.30% in group II, compared with 63%, 55.70%, and 66.20%, respectively, in group I. This significant values had a great positive effect on patient satisfaction, changing child's behavior and self-confidence., Conclusion: Although physiological background of tissue expansion is the same, proper flap design with anterior capsulotomy on flap undersurface and basal capsulectomy on the skull side improve results of the traditional method significantly and minimize the complication rate. These surgical modifications provide maximum benefits from expanded tissue, with restoration of the hairline and a uniform hair direction., Level of Evidence: Level III, case-control study., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: One of the main concerns of patients who undergo hair transplantation surgery such as follicular unit strip surgery is scar widening on surgical sites. Until now, trichophytic suture, double-layer suture, tattoos, follicular unit transplantation on scars are suggested as a solution., Case Report: A 23-year-old man with frontal hair loss underwent follicular unit strip surgery. To reduce hair donor area scarring, we tried a new trichophytic suture method. After surgery, the patient's hair loss degree was corrected with about C1 in the basic and specific (BASP) classification. Also, there was less scar in the columnar trichophytic suture part, compared with almost 7 mm of scar widening in the simple primary closure part., Conclusion: This study highlights that a columnar trichophytic suture may be useful for patients undergoing scalp surgery for cosmetic purposes., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We describe the use of trichoscopy to arrive at a diagnosis, and discuss the possible differential diagnoses in a patient presenting with localized itching and alopecia of the scalp., (© 2022 British Association of Dermatologists.)

A 6-month-old girl with an isolated bald spot was seen at the general practice. We diagnosed aplasia cutis congenita, a rare disorder with a wide variation in clinical symptoms. Most lesions can be managed conservatively. Larger defects, however, require surgery.

Importance: Persistent radiation-induced alopecia (pRIA) and its management have not been systematically described., Objective: To characterize pRIA in patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors or head and neck sarcoma., Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective cohort study of patients from January 1, 2011, to January 30, 2019, was conducted at 2 large tertiary care hospitals and comprehensive cancer centers. Seventy-one children and adults diagnosed with primary CNS tumors or head and neck sarcomas were evaluated for pRIA., Main Outcomes and Measures: The clinical and trichoscopic features, scalp radiation dose-response relationship, and response to topical minoxidil were assessed using standardized clinical photographs of the scalp, trichoscopic images, and radiotherapy treatment plans., Results: Of the 71 patients included (median [range] age, 27 [4-75] years; 51 female [72%]), 64 (90%) had a CNS tumor and 7 (10%) had head and neck sarcoma. Alopecia severity was grade 1 in 40 of 70 patients (56%), with localized (29 of 54 [54%]), diffuse (13 of 54 [24%]), or mixed (12 of 54 [22%]) patterns. The median (range) estimated scalp radiation dose was 39.6 (15.1-50.0) Gy; higher dose (odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.28) and proton irradiation (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.05-30.8) were associated with greater alopecia severity (P < .001), and the dose at which 50% of patients were estimated to have severe (grade 2) alopecia was 36.1 Gy (95% CI, 33.7-39.6 Gy). Predominant trichoscopic features included white patches (16 of 28 [57%]); in 15 patients, hair-shaft caliber negatively correlated with scalp dose (correlation coefficient, -0.624; P = .01). The association between hair density and scalp radiation dose was not statistically significant (-0.381; P = .16). Twenty-eight of 34 patients (82%) responded to topical minoxidil, 5% (median follow-up, 61 [interquartile range, 21-105] weeks); 4 of 25 (16%) topical minoxidil recipients with clinical images improved in severity grade. Two patients responded to hair transplantation and 1 patient responded to plastic surgical reconstruction., Conclusions and Relevance: Persistent radiation-induced alopecia among patients with primary CNS tumors or head and neck sarcomas represents a dose-dependent phenomenon that has distinctive clinical and trichoscopic features. The findings of this study suggest that topical minoxidil and procedural interventions may have benefit in the treatment of pRIA.

Background: Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is characterized by crusted erosions or superficial ulcerations that lead to scarring alopecia., Objectives and Methods: We performed a multicentre retrospective clinical study including 56 patients (29 females and 27 males, mean age 62.7) with a confirmed EPDS in order to describe epidemiology, clinical findings and therapeutic choices of this disease., Results: Mechanical/chemical trauma was reported in 28.6%, a previous infection in 10.7%, a previous cryotherapy in 5.4% androgenetic alopecia in 48.2% and severe actinic damage in 25%. Trichoscopy showed absence of follicular ostia, tufted and broken hair, crusts, serous exudate, dilated vessels, pustules and hyperkeratosis. Histopathology revealed three different features, depending on the disease duration. The most prescribed therapy was topical steroids (62.5%), followed by the combination of topical steroids and topical tacrolimus (8.9%), systemic steroids (7.1%) and topical tacrolimus (5.4%). A reduction of inflammatory signs was observed in 28 patients (50%) treated with topical steroids and in all three patients treated with topical tacrolimus., Conclusion: The relatively high number of patients collected allowed us to identify a better diagnostic approach, using trichoscopy and a more effective therapeutic strategy, with high-potency steroids or tacrolimus, which should be considered as first-line treatment., (© 2020 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

A study has been undertaken over a period of eight years of tissue reactions in interventional radiology patients receiving cumulative air kerma values to their scalp above 3 Gy. Patients receiving doses to the scalp above this trigger level have been followed up to determine when effects occur and to provide reassurance if they do. The study has shown that hair thinning and hair loss are the more likely effects and may occur in 50% of patients at dose above 4.5 Gy.

Background: Eccrine duct dilation (EDD) was recently described to occur more frequently in cicatricial alopecias than noncicatricial alopecias. Because single EDD can be useful in the evaluation of alopecias, we aimed to determine whether dilation of multiple eccrine duct units, or "multiple eccrine duct dilation (MEDD)," could more specifically discriminate between cicatricial and noncicatricial alopecias., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 611 scalp biopsies (342 cicatricial alopecias and 269 noncicatricial alopecias)., Results: Among cicatricial alopecias, MEDD was found in 21% (25/118) of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, 26% (29/109) of lichen planopilaris, 13% (10/73) of discoid lupus erythematosus, 31% (5/16) of acne keloidalis nuchae, and 26% (7/26) of folliculitis decalvans. In noncicatricial alopecias, MEDD was found in 1% (1/102) of androgenetic alopecia, 0.7% (1/150) of alopecia areata, and 0% (0/17) of telogen effluvium. In cicatricial alopecias, MEDD occurred in a significantly higher frequency (22%; 76/342) compared with noncicatricial alopecias (0.7%; 2/269) (P-value <0.0001). The presence of MEDD correlated with a diagnosis of cicatricial alopecia with 22% sensitivity and 99% specificity. MEDD also occurred more frequently in cases with moderate to severe inflammation and fibroplasia, suggesting that EDD is a reactive change secondary to the scarring processes., Conclusion: The presence of MEDD on scalp biopsies may be a highly specific marker of cicatricial alopecia and can aid in rendering a more accurate diagnosis. MEDD without other definitive histopathologic features of cicatricial alopecia may compel pathologists to pursue additional workup and/or raise the possibility that a cicatricial alopecia cannot be entirely excluded.

Background: While scalp alopecia represents a distinctive feature of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), little is known about the clinical and histologic presentation of hair loss., Objectives: We sought to classify the clinical presentations and histologic findings of chronic hair loss in patients with cutaneous cGVHD., Methods: A prospective cohort of 17 adult hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients with cutaneous cGVHD was enrolled. Dermatologic examinations were performed, and punch biopsy specimens of the scalp were obtained. Biopsy specimens were analyzed with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stains in all cases and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses in specific cases., Results: Clinically, 4 patterns of hair loss were described-patchy nonscarring (41.2%), diffuse nonscarring (11.8%), diffuse sclerotic (11.8%), and patchy sclerotic (5.9%). The location of the inflammatory infiltrate on hematoxylin-eosin-stained specimens correlated with the hair loss pattern patients had clinically, with cell populations around the bulb and bulge in nonscarring and sclerotic cases, respectively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in female cGVHD patients with male donors demonstrated green Y chromosomes limited to the area of the hair follicle affected by inflammatory cells., Conclusion: This study describes the various clinical and histologic subtypes of long-standing alopecia in adult cGVHD patients and suggests that this alopecia may be a direct manifestation of cGVHD of the hair follicle., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background: The application of heat, used to straighten the typically coiled hair, has long been hypothesized to play a role in the etiologic factor for central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal hair straightening on hair loss pattern in Asian women exist., Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with hair loss who have been using hair straightening devices and 25 patients with telogen effluvium were enrolled in this prospective study. Laboratory analysis and dermatoscopic findings were used to compare these groups., Results: The peripilar white halo around hairs, peripilar dark/gray halo around follicular orifices, the predominance of a single hair perifollicular unit (FU), hair diameter diversity, the thin miniaturized hair, interfollicular pinpoint white dots, and white patches were statistically higher in hair straightener group (P < 0.001). White patches of the scalp increased by the time of the application of these devices (P < 0.01). White patches of vertex region were significantly higher than the midfrontal region (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The common side effects of thermal hot comb strengtheners' were summarized as damage to the hair shaft; decreasing in the brightness of the hair, burns, and scars on the scalp; and lastly CCCA-like hair loss., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Hair and scalp involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can manifest as scarring alopecia, non-scarring alopecia or scalp/hair shaft changes without apparent hair loss. While trichoscopic signs in chronic cutaneous lupus are well established, data on SLE patients with normal-looking or non-scarring scalp are limited., Objectives: To investigate trichoscopic features of SLE patients without chronic cutaneous scalp lesions and compare the findings with normal controls, as well as determine which feature associates with systemic disease. Furthermore, we aim to explore different clinical presentations of the scalp in SLE patients and their association with disease activity., Methods: Trichoscopic photographs were taken from patients and healthy controls and evaluated by one blinded hair specialist. For SLE patients, their clinical presentations and evaluations for cutaneous, extracutaneous involvement; SLE Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score were documented., Results: Of 109 SLE patients and 305 healthy controls were included. Hair shaft changes were significantly more common in SLE and associated with higher SLEDAI-2K (P < 0.05). The most common feature was prominent arborizing blood vessels (60.6% vs. 18.4%, P < 0.001), followed by thick arborizing blood vessels (57.8% vs. 10.2%, P < 0.001), black dots (47.7% vs. 2%, P < 0.001), brown scattered pigmentation (5.5% vs. 0.7%, P = 0.005) and blue-grey speckled pigmentation (44% vs.0.3%, P < 0.001). When hair loss is diffuse and severe, there were associations with haematologic (P = 0.002) and renal involvement (P = 0.027 for proteinuria > 500 mg/day, P = 0.004 for proteinuria > 1 g/day)., Conclusions: Trichoscopic examination is a valuable tool for SLE diagnosis and monitoring. Severe diffuse non-scarring alopecia most likely indicates active disease., (© 2019 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous condition that has a highly variable presentation. One rare presentation of sarcoidosis is cutaneous scalp sarcoidosis. Usually scalp sarcoid presents as a scarring alopecia, but it can be nonscarring. The presence of sarcoidal lesions on the scalp is associated with systemic disease, as are other cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis. The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman with a history of sarcoidosis who presented with alopecia and hypopigmented patches on her scalp. She also had papular sarcoid lesions on her upper back and a history of pulmonary involvement, which is consistent with previous reports in the literature. The condition subsequently improved with topical clobetasol propionate.

We present cases of localized alopecia on the vertex scalp of two girls after elaborate professional hairstyling marketed as the "Princess Package" at a major U.S. theme park. Localized alopecia followed pain, erythema, and delayed crusting due to necrosis of the scalp. The majority of the affected alopecic areas had evidence of regrowth at interval follow-up, but small areas of scarring alopecia remained. We propose that these cases represent a type of alopecia caused by a combination of pressure ischemia and acute traction alopecia., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Scalp defects can be reconstructed either with skin graft, local flaps, free flaps, or tissue expansion. Tissue expanders have been proved to be fruitful in the pediatric population. Scalp expansion has proved to be useful in the reconstruction of posttraumatic and postburn alopecic defects. Selective nerve block can be added for attenuation of sympathetic stimulation and decrease surgical stress in cranial surgeries. In this study, a comparison was done between using selective nerve block and without selective nerve block in both stages of tissue expansion procedure., Patients and Methods: This study included 32 different children who underwent tissue expansions in the management of postburn alopecia. Pediatric patients presented with postburn alopecia of the scalp with mature scar were included in this work., Results: Postoperative analgesics were less in children who had received scalp block, whereas it was shorter in patients who did not receive any scalp block. Meperidine consumption was much more less in patients who received selective scalp nerve block. Pain score was markedly decreased in children who had received selective scalp nerve block in the immediate postoperative period. Children who received scalp block showed marked attenuation in the surgical stress responses with minimal changes in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure after skin incision., Conclusions: Scalp nerve block is considered an excellent choice for postoperative pain control with less need for opioid analgesia.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis is not an uncommon disorder, and the skin can be the sole manifestation in about 10% of patients. However, when the involved anatomical area of the cutaneous sarcoidosis is the scalp and it presents as a scarring alopecia, there is an increased risk of a systemic disease (1,2). A 79-year-old Caucasian male patient presented to our Institute with annular and painless plaques of the scalp, with variable diameter, showing a reddish and yellowish color (Figure 1, a). Furthermore, a scleroderma-like atrophy of the skin with an exposure of the underlying vasculature was present (Figure 1, b). The patient reported that these lesions began to appear 2 years ago, with a worsening in the last 6 months. He also reported a chronic cough and dyspnea. According to the patient's medical history, he was treated for tinea capitis with radiotherapy of the scalp at the age of 7, with temporary hair-loss and subsequent total re-growth. Additionally, during the last 7 years he was diagnosed with mental depression and treated accordingly. The histology revealed typical epithelioid cell granulomas without central necrosis in association with a sparse lymphocytic infiltrate. Elastosis with ectatic vessels, sclerosis, and edema was also present in the upper dermis (Figure 1, c, d) A diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis of the scalp was established. Laboratory investigations, including hepatitis B and C viral serology, anti-nuclear antibodies, antibodies to extractable nuclear antigen, cardiolipin, beta2 glycoprotein immunoglobulin G antibodies, and lymphoid subsets were all in normal ranges, whereas the angiotensin converting enzyme level was 124 (range: 65-114) IU/L. The chest radiography showed diffuse interstitial nodulations with bilateral and right para-tracheal lymphadenopathies, and the histology revealed pulmonary sarcoidosis (Figure 2). As of this writing, the patient is undergoing steroidal treatment with periodical clinical and instrumental follow-up, with poor response from the cutaneous lesions but an improvement of the pulmonary symptoms. Scalp sarcoidosis is a not frequent finding (1). Most of the reported cases are Afro-American female patients. Although the main clinico-pathological differential diagnosis is atypical necrobiosis lipoidica, this entity differs from cutaneous sarcoidosis by an absence of scalp scarring alopecia and by the fact that the annular lesions are often limited to the face, without involving the scalp (1-4). Additionally, histologically atypical necrobiosis lipoidica does not reach the typical features of a sarcoid granuloma. Other potential misdiagnoses are morphea, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lichen plano-pilaris (1-4). Sarcoidosis is most likely driven by a putative antigen in genetically susceptible individuals (5). Although radiation exposure is one of the possible causes of sarcoidosis, the radiotherapy used for the fungal infection did not have any role in the onset of the disease in our patient, as confirmed by the normal total regrowth of the hairs and the long-time interval. Regarding the therapy (mainly steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine), if compared to other anatomical sites, the grade of atrophy in the scalp is always too high to allow an objective clinical response, as observed in our patient. This case emphasizes that in cutaneous annular sarcoidosis of the scalp, an underlying systemic sarcoidosis is often present.

Importance: Multiple techniques may be used to perform bicoronal incisions, and alopecia is a known postoperative complication of this procedure. To date, no large studies exist comparing alopecia outcomes among bicoronal incision techniques with and without the use of Raney clips., Objective: To determine (1) whether postoperative alopecia is more common when bicoronal incisions are performed with monopolar cautery, Colorado microdissection tip cautery, or traditional cold steel and (2) whether this outcome is affected by the use of Raney clips., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective study of postoperative alopecia included 505 patients undergoing bicoronal incisions in a single head and neck surgery practice from 1997 to 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Patients with preexisting baldness as well as patients not following up for the minimum period were excluded. All data analysis took place between 1997 and 2015., Main Outcomes and Measures: Maximum alopecia width was measured in the postoperative period and compared among the technique groups both with and without Raney clip use. Raney clip duration as a product of surgery length was also compared., Results: A total of 505 patients (301 male, 204 female) ranging in age from 3 to 97 years were included in the study (median age, 53.9 years). Of these, 236 underwent bicoronal incisions to approach the skull base, 78 to treat chronic frontal sinusitis unresponsive to endoscopic management or frontal sinus mucocele, 143 for trauma, and 48 for craniofacial surgery. For 173 patients, the cold steel technique was used for both skin and subcutaneous incision, 102 of whom needed Raney clips. For 161 patients, cold steel technique was used for skin incisions and monopolar cautery for subcutaneous incision; 81 of these patients required Raney clips. For 171 patients, Colorado tip microdissection cautery was used for both skin and subcutaneous incision, with Raney clips used in 66 of these patients. Incisions made with cold steel for both skin and subcutaneous tissue, regardless of Raney clip use, had lower postoperative alopecia than those made with cautery: for scalpel use for both skin and subcutaneous tissue, average alopecia width was 2.8 mm without Raney clip and 3.5 mm with Raney clip. For scalpel use with skin and monopolar cautery for subcutaneous tissue, average alopecia width was 3.8 mm without Raney clip and 4.3 mm with Raney clip. Colorado tip microdissection cautery used for skin and subcutaneous tissue was associated with the greatest alopecia width: Colorado tip for skin and subcutaneous tissue, average alopecia width, 4.9 mm; with Raney clip, 5.9 mm. Duration of Raney clip use was significantly associated with increased alopecia width: less than 3 hours, 4.1 mm; 3 hours or more, 5.2 mm (P < .001)., Conclusions and Relevance: When performing bicoronal incisions, postoperative alopecia can be minimized by preferentially using a cold steel scalpel for skin and subcutaneous incisions. Raney clip use should be avoided when possible or used for only a short time during the procedure., Level of Evidence: 3.

Background: Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a type of scarring hair loss primarily seen in African-American women. The risk factors that affect the severity of disease remain unclear., Objectives: This study was designed to elucidate risk factors that may be associated with severity of CCCA., Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Women with biopsy-confirmed CCCA responded to a questionnaire and were grouped according to a photographic scale of central scalp alopecia. The severity of disease was considered: grade 1 and 2 disease was interpreted as early-stage CCCA, and grade 3-5 disease was interpreted as advanced-stage CCCA. Data from the questionnaire were compared with levels of severity to determine the strength of associations with severity of disease., Results: A total of 38 women with biopsy-confirmed CCCA were recruited to participate in this study. Early-stage CCCA was seen in 22 subjects (57.9%), and advanced-stage CCCA was noted in 16 subjects (42.1%). The average duration of hair loss was 5.7 years in early-stage disease and 10.1 years in advanced-stage disease. There was a positive correlation between duration of hair loss and degree of hair loss (Spearman's correlation 0.471, P = 0.003)., Conclusions: This study reports on data sourced from patients with biopsy-confirmed CCCA and examines the relationships between various factors and severity of CCCA. The findings demonstrate that duration of hair loss is positively associated with severity of disease and that androgen-related conditions are prevalent in those affected with CCCA., (© 2016 The International Society of Dermatology.)

Traction alopecia is hair loss that occurs after persistent pulling (e.g., during cosmetic procedures) on the roots of hair over time. Unlike plucking, which is painful, persistent pulling may go unnoticed until a patient presents with either bald spots or diffuse telogen shedding. Each hair follicle in the scalp contains an arrector pili muscle that, when contracted, erects the hair. The smooth muscle in the arrector pili expresses α1 adrenergic receptors (α1 -AR). As such, we hypothesized that contraction of the arrector pili muscle via an α1 -AR agonist would increase the threshold of force required to pluck hair during cosmetic procedures. Female subjects, ages 18-40, were recruited to study the effect of topically applied phenylephrine, a selective α1 -AR agonist, on epilation force and hair shedding during cosmetic procedures. In our blinded study, 80% of subjects demonstrated reduced shedding on days using phenylephrine compared to days using a placebo solution. The average reduction in hair loss was approximately 42%. In addition, the force threshold required for epilation increased by approximately 172% following topical phenylephrine application. To our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating the utility of α1 -AR agonists in the treatment of traction alopecia and hair shedding during cosmetic procedures., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

A 49-year-old Chinese female underwent elective laparoscopic assisted Whipple's surgery lasting 12 h. This was complicated by postoperative pressure alopecia at the occipital area of the scalp. Pressure-induced hair loss after general anaesthesia is uncommon and typically temporary, but may be disconcerting to the patient. We report this case of postoperative permanent pressure alopecia due to its rarity in the anaesthesia/local literature, and review the risk factors for its development.

Ant-induced alopecia is a rare cause of acute, localized, nonscarring hair loss. It is most commonly caused by Pheidole pallidula ants, which can be found worldwide but are most common in Iran. The resulting alopecia can have many morphologic patterns (eg, patch, linear, nondiscrete) and thus ant-induced alopecia should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients from endemic areas who present with new-onset localized hair loss. The condition is self-limited; however, patients should be evaluated for other more common causes of alopecia, especially in the absence of a convincing history.

Introduction: Cicatricial alopecia is a form of hair loss that causes both cosmetic and psychological concerns. Although tissue expanders are the common approach to reconstruction, no algorithm exists in the literature for this process. In this study, it was aimed to create an algorithm for the reconstruction of lateral scalp alopecias with the goal to achieve better and standardized results., Materials and Methods: Lateral scalp alopecias were divided into three groups: total lateral alopecia (type I), temporal and sideburn alopecia (type II), and sideburn alopecia (type III). Tissue expanders were placed at the parieto-occipital area in type I defects, parietal area in type II defects, and the temporal region in type III defects. Tissue expanders were used to create flaps that were advanced with 60° rotation, 90° rotation, and no rotation for type I, II, and III defects, respectively., Results: Fifteen patients were treated with this algorithm. Using this simple approach, we achieved natural, standardized aesthetic results for each patient, all of whom were satisfied with the final results., Conclusion: Although the number of case were limited, the ideal and standardized cosmetic results could be obtained by this approach., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)