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Hair pull test: Evidence-based update and revision of guidelines.
- Source :
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Mar2017, Vol. 76 Issue 3, p472-477, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>The hair pull test lacks validation and has unclear pretest guidelines.<bold>Objective: </bold>We sought to quantify normal hair pull test values and elucidate the effect of pretest hair washing and brushing. The impact of hair texture and lifestyle was also examined.<bold>Methods: </bold>Participants (n = 181) completed a questionnaire recording demographics, medications, and hair health/history. A single hair pull test (scalp vertex) was performed.<bold>Results: </bold>The mean number of hairs removed per pull was 0.44 (SD 0.75). There was no significant difference in the mean number of hairs removed regardless of when participants washed (P = .20) or brushed (P = .25) their hair. Hair pull test values were similar between Caucasian-, Asian-, and Afro-textured hair. There was no significant difference in hair pull values between participants taking medications affecting hair loss and participants not taking these medications (P = .33). Tight hairstyles did not influence hair pull test values.<bold>Limitations: </bold>Participant hair washing and brushing could not be controlled during the study, but this information was documented and analyzed.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Normal values for the hair pull test should be reduced to 2 hairs or fewer (97.2% of participants). The current 5-day restriction on pretest hair washing can be reduced and brushing be made permissible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01909622
- Volume :
- 76
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 121273232
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.10.002