Brown Peripilar Sign

In Androgenetic Alopecia

There are many changes that occur in men and women with androgenetic alopecia, both in male and female thinning. Under the dermatoscope, there are various sizes of hair follicles that can be seen. Some are thick and some are thin. We term this phenomenon "anisotrichosis." In addition hairs emerge from their follicle openings in groups of 1 and 2 hairs rather than the original configuration of 3 and 4 hairs.

A number of other dermatoscopic findings are present including one shown here - the so called "brown peripilar sign" or BPPS.

The BPPS is an early and somewhat specific finding in people with AGA. It is associated with inflammation under the scalp (in the upper hair follicle known as the isthmus and infundibulum).