Basic principles of trichoscopy

The Basic Principles of Trichoscopy course provides a comprehensive foundation in the use of trichoscopy to diagnose hair and scalp disorders. This single-unit program introduces trichoscopic techniques, essential diagnostic criteria, and practical applications for clinical practice.

The course guides participants through the core principles and applications of trichoscopy, emphasising its role in diagnosing various hair and scalp conditions.
Key Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Trichoscopy
- The benefits of trichoscopy for visualising hair and scalp structures.
- Using dry and immersion techniques to examine scales, hair shafts, and vascular patterns.
- Preparing the scalp for optimal visualisation by combing and parting hair.
- Trichoscopic Features of Hair Shaft Abnormalities
- Identifying key abnormalities such as diameter variability (androgenetic alopecia), broken hair (trichotillomania), and exclamation mark hairs (alopecia areata).
- Recognising hair shaft patterns unique to specific conditions like comma and corkscrew hairs (tinea capitis).
- Follicular and Scalp Findings
- Examining follicular openings for black dots (alopecia areata), yellow dots (androgenetic alopecia), and perifollicular scaling (lichen planopilaris).
- Observing interfollicular scales and distinguishing patterns seen in seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and discoid lupus erythematosus.
- Vascular Patterns in Trichoscopy
- Assessing pathological vessels such as hairpin vessels (seborrheic dermatitis), arborizing vessels (inflammation), and glomerular vessels (psoriasis).
- Identifying thick arborizing vessels in connective tissue disorders like lupus erythematosus.
- Clinical Applications and Case Discussions
- Differentiating common hair loss conditions like androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata.
- Case-based discussions illustrating the diagnostic process and treatment monitoring through trichoscopy.

This course is ideal for dermatologists, trichologists, and primary care practitioners looking to integrate trichoscopy into their diagnostic toolkit.