Trichoscopic Characteristics as Diagnostic Indicators for Grading of Female Pattern Hair Loss Severity in Skin of Color: A Multicentric Retrospective Study by the International Dermoscopy Society

July 2026 in “ Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery ”

Abhijeet Kumar Jha, Md Zeeshan, Vikas Shankar, Anupama Singh, Divya Singh, Keshavamurthy Vinay, Trilokraj Tejasvi, Balachandra S Ankad, Yasmeen Jabeen Bhat, Martyna Sławińska, Aimilios Lallas, Enzo Errichetti

trichoscopy female pattern hair loss FPHL Sinclair scale hair count shaft diameter terminal-to-intermediate/vellus ratio T: I–V ratio single hair units hair thinning hair density hair shaft thickness

TLDR Trichoscopic parameters reliably indicate the severity of female pattern hair loss.

This study evaluated trichoscopic parameters as indicators of Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) severity in 279 treatment-naïve females aged 18–50. The research aimed to develop a quantitative trichoscopic grading system to complement the Sinclair scale. Results showed significant declines in hair count, shaft diameter, and terminal-to-intermediate/vellus (T: I–V) ratio with increasing FPHL severity, while single hair units increased. Strong negative correlations were found between FPHL grade and these parameters. The study concluded that trichoscopic quantitative parameters are reliable indicators of FPHL severity, offering an objective tool for diagnosis, severity assessment, and treatment monitoring.

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