Hair cosmetics are an important tool that helps to increase patient's adhesion to alopecia and scalp treatments. This article reviews the formulations and the mode of action of hair cosmetics: Shampoos, conditioners, hair straightening products, hair dyes and henna; regarding their prescription and safetiness. The dermatologist's knowledge of hair care products, their use, and their possible side effects can extend to an understanding of cosmetic resources and help dermatologists to better treat hair and scalp conditions according to the diversity of hair types and ethnicity.

Background: During hair transplantation as an effective therapy for androgenetic alopecia, hair follicles were typically trans-located from the nonaffected occipital to the balding frontal or vertex region of the scalp. Although this is an autologous intervention, the donor and recipient hair follicle tissue differ in composition and local environment. Settings and Design: In two case studies, we investigated the changes in hair follicle morphology and the immune status of scalp and body hair follicles from different origins transplanted to the eyebrows and the frontal scalp using follicular unit extraction. Results: Quantitative histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry revealed a transformation in hair follicle length and dermal papilla size of the scalp, chest and beard hair follicles, which had been re-extracted after a 6-month period posttransplantation. Furthermore, a significant infiltration of B and T lymphocytes as well as macrophages could be observed most prominently in the infundibulum of transplanted hair follicles. Conclusion: The presented results demonstrate that hair follicle units from different body sites are capable to replace miniaturized or degraded hair follicles in different recipient areas like scalp or eyebrows as they keep their intrinsic capability or acquire the potential to readjust plastically within the beneficiary skin region. The essential secretory crosstalk underlying the observed tissue remodeling is possibly mediated by the infiltrating immune cells.

Trichotillomania is a disorder of an impulsive hair pulling that occurs in both adults and children alike. Trichotillomania is seen in children and often has other psychiatric comorbidity. Here, we present an interesting case of a mother who had trichotillomania and recovered with treatment following which she resorted to pulling hair of her child and brought her child for treatment saying that the child too had trichotillomania and that we should help the child recover like her. After interviewing the child, it was revealed that it was, in fact, the mother who used to pull the child's hair as a release for her hair-pulling urges.

A case of acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp associated with Borrelia-infection (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans) is presented. Today, acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp is recognized as a distinct variant of alopecia areata (AA) predominantly observed in women. Cases of AA have formerly been reported in association with infections. AA is understood to represent an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. It is conceivable that the antigenic stimulus provided by the infection may act as a trigger for alopecia. Vice versa, alopecia may act as a marker for detection of undiagnosed infection. Treatment of the patient with intravenous ceftriaxone led to the resolution of cutaneous borreliosis, and in addition to topical clobetasol foam to complete recovery of hair.

Pseudofolliculitis mainly affects the beard area, but it can occur in any area of hair-bearing skin when traumatic methods like shaving or plucking are used to remove the hair. It can be a simple cosmetic problem or a disturbing medical condition for which the dermatologist must be prepared. It can develop in areas of shaving or depilation and has been seen in the pubic region or the axilla, where it is common to find curly hair that emerges at an acute angle. Here, we are reporting a case of pseudofolliculitis over back, termed as pseudofolliculitis corporis. He used to put a pillow behind the back while driving and the pressure caused the pseudofolliculitis. The diagnosis was confirmed by dermoscopy, which is a simple office procedure. Patient was advised to stop using the pillow and improved with topical adapalene and clindamycin gel for 15 days. This entity has not been described in the literature.

Congenital hypotrichosis may be due to a number of causes and may have multiple systemic associations. A child born of second-degree consanguineous marriage was found to have monilethrix as the cause of congenital hypotrichosis. A detailed systemic evaluation in the child revealed atrial septal defect and a hypoplastic right thumb leading to a diagnosis of coexisting Holt-Oram syndrome.

Trichotillomania (TTM), a disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling, is undergoing a conceptual and nosological re-evaluation. Little long-term information is available about this condition when it strikes in early childhood. Trichobezoar, an ingestional foreign body lodged in the gastrointestinal tract composed of swallowed hair, is usually associated with underlying psychiatric and emotional disturbances. In this report, we describe a young girl who had her symptom onset at the age of 3, but presented again after more than a decade with recurrent symptomatic large trichobezoars needing surgical removal both times. Her clinical course and presentation challenged contemporary understanding of TTM.

Trichoscopy being an in vivo technique aids in magnification of cutaneous structures with appropriate pattern and color. A female presented with erythematous tumor on scalp. Histopathology showed features of eccrine spiradenoma. Authors evaluated trichoscopic patterns in eccrine spiradenoma. It demonstrated specific trichoscopic pattern in the form of linear red structure appearing as 'serpentine'. Authors believe that this new trichoscopic pattern is hallmark of eccrine spiradenoma and can be utilized in the diagnosis.