Diagnosing Hair Loss in Darker Skin Types

Diagnosing hair loss in patients with darker skin types employs the same principles as for lighter skin types. However, a few features are unique including the the greater likelihood for scalp inflammation to create areas of hypopigmentation and hyperpigmemtation. In this picture of a male with androgenetic alopecia several findings are present. The redness and fine scale is consistent with seborrheic dermatitis. The patient also has folliculitis and a pustule can be seen in the upper portion of the picture. In the bottom left of the picture, areas of whitish hypopigmentation can be seen and in the bottom right areas of darker hyperpigmentation can be seen. The tiny white dots that are speckled al over the scalp represent the openings of the eccrine glands.