Feature Characterization of Scarring and Non-Scarring Types of Alopecia by Multiphoton Microscopy

The study explored the use of multiphoton microscopy (MPM) as a non-invasive method to image the scalp and distinguish between scarring and non-scarring types of alopecia. It involved 5 healthy subjects and 12 patients with different types of alopecia. MPM allowed for in vivo imaging of hair follicles and surrounding structures, identifying features such as sebaceous glands in non-scarring alopecia and miniaturized hair follicles with macrophages and lymphocytes in scarring alopecia. The study found that hair follicle diameters were significantly smaller in scarring alopecia compared to non-scarring alopecia and normal scalps, suggesting MPM could effectively differentiate between these conditions.