Hair Shaft Abnormalities. Pili Bifurcati: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

Introduction and Background:Cosmetic procedures for hair, such as bleaching, dyeing, and straightening, are commonly used around the world. It has been suggested that excessive use of such procedures can cause damage to the hair shaft. We aimed to assess hair shaft changes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in female volunteers who frequently use hair treatment procedures such as bleaching, dyeing, or straightening.Methods:A cross-sectional, controlled study in a sample of 25 female volunteers (19 study group and 6 controls) in the age group of 18–45 years. The study group was composed of volunteers who regularly used different cosmetic hair treatment procedures such as bleaching, dyeing, and straightening (any one of these or a combination). The control group had never used any specific hair treatment procedure. The hair shaft damage as seen on SEM was assessed using a standardized scoring system and compared among the two groups statistically. The hair shafts were also examined clinically and with light microscopy.Results:No significant differences were seen between the test and control groups with regard to normal clinical examination and light microscopy findings. A higher degree of hair shaft damage was evident under SEM in the study group as compared to the control group. This difference was statistically significant.Conclusions:Regular use of procedures such as bleaching, dyeing, or straightening can lead to subtle changes in the hair shaft which can be detected early by SEM.

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“…In general, SEM is considered to be a powerful complementary tool in the study of hair shaft abnormalities. [ 8 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scanning electron microscopy study of hair shaft damage secondary to cosmetic treatments of the hair

et al. 2016

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“…Pili bifurcati (PB) is a rare autosomal dominant hair shaft dysplasia that presents with thin, short, fragile hair on the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows . The condition is caused by bifurcation of the hair fiber at multiple irregular intervals; each bifurcation produces two separate parallel branches that fuse again to form a single shaft, and each successive branch's own cuticle completely surrounds it . Light microscopy reveals telogen effluvium with dystrophic anagen hairs and bifurcation of the hair shaft at irregular intervals .…”

Section: Hair Shaft Disorders Without Fragilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The condition is caused by bifurcation of the hair fiber at multiple irregular intervals; each bifurcation produces two separate parallel branches that fuse again to form a single shaft, and each successive branch's own cuticle completely surrounds it . Light microscopy reveals telogen effluvium with dystrophic anagen hairs and bifurcation of the hair shaft at irregular intervals . Scanning microscopy shows grooves and partial twisting of the hair, irregular cuticle, deep grooves splitting hairs into two segments, and optically empty cavities within cortical and medullary layers on cross section .…”

Section: Hair Shaft Disorders Without Fragilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prognosis and Management of Congenital Hair Shaft Disorders without Fragility—Part II

Singh

Miteva

2016

Pediatric Dermatology

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Hair shaft disorders are characterized by congenital or acquired abnormalities of the hair shaft. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the prognosis and treatment options for hair shaft disorders. We used keywords in the search engines PubMed and Medline to identify all publications in English related to the prognosis and management of hair shaft disorders. Data were extracted from 96 articles that met search criteria. Findings were limited to case reports and small case series, as no studies were found. Disorders that improve in childhood include pili torti, trichorrhexis invaginata, woolly hair, and pili trianguli et canaliculi. Others, such as trichorrhexis nodosa, monilethrix, pili annulati, and pili bifurcati, improve with minoxidil. Oral retinoids have been found to improve hair abnormalities in trichorrhexis invaginata and monilethrix. There is no specific treatment for congenital hair shaft abnormalities. Gentle hair care is the mainstay of care for hair shaft disorders associated with fragility. Practices for gentle care include no brushing, backcombing, chemical products, tight braids, heat exposure, or mechanical grooming. Furthermore, any inherited or congenital disorder requires genetic counseling as part of management.

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Disorders of Hair and Nails

Paller

Mancini

2016

Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology

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Hair Shaft Abnormalities. Pili Bifurcati: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

Abstract: Pili bifurcati is an extremely rare hair shaft abnormality. We present a case with a scanning electron microscopy analysis.

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Scanning electron microscopy study of hair shaft damage secondary to cosmetic treatments of the hair

Scanning electron microscopy study of hair shaft damage secondary to cosmetic treatments of the hair

Prognosis and Management of Congenital Hair Shaft Disorders without Fragility—Part II

Disorders of Hair and Nails

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