Abstract
The data of hair density and hair diameter in the Asian population, especially in Thais, are limited. We aimed to evaluate hair density and hair diameter of members of the Thai population at different scalp sites and to determine the effect of sex and aging as well as to compare the results with those in groups of other ethnicities. Healthy Thais whose hair examination findings were normal were evaluated. Two hundred and thirty-nine subjects participated in this study, of whom 79 were male and 160 were female. Hair density and hair diameter were analyzed at four different scalp sites using quantitative trichoscopic analysis. The highest hair density in Thais was observed in the vertex area. Hair densities at four different scalp sites were significantly different from one another; only hair density at the vertex site showed no significant difference from that in the occipital area. In contrast, hair diameter did not show any statistically significant differences for the different sites. We observed decreased mean hair density with increasing age and found statistically significant differences between participants in their 20s and those in their 60s, while hair diameter remained consistent. Comparing our results with a previous study in other ethnicities, the hair densities in Asians are generally lower. In conclusion, hair density in the Thai population varies at different scalp sites. Aging is a factor in declining hair density. Asians have a lower hair density compared to Caucasian and African populations.
Highlights
Studies determining normal values of hair density and diameter have been conducted in various ethnic groups
Our study provides the average hair density and hair diameter of Asian participants in different scalp areas and evaluates factors that potentially have an influence on hair parameters, including sex, aging, and ethnicity. e highest hair density in ais was observed in the vertex area, followed by the occipital, frontal, and temporoparietal areas
Hair densities at all scalp sites showed statistically significant differences, but hair densities in the vertex and occipital areas were not different to each other. e largest hair diameter was found in the frontal area, but this was not statistically significantly different to the hair at the other areas. ese findings were consistent in both males and females
Summary
Studies determining normal values of hair density and diameter have been conducted in various ethnic groups. Evaluating normative values for scalp hair is beneficial for the diagnosis of hair disorders and monitoring treatment outcomes. The values would be applicable for research proposes. There are several invasive and noninvasive methods for evaluating hair density and hair diameter. Skin biopsy is one of the invasive methods used for determining hair parameters in clinical practice and several research studies. It is not the preferred choice for hair and scalp examination due to related pain and scars
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