Blowing bubbles: Dermoscopy of bubble hair

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Lauren N. Albers, Emory University; Alexander M. Maley, Emory University; Jamie MacKelfresh, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-07-01
• Publisher: Medknow Publications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 International Journal of Trichology
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_11_17
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Trichology
• ISSN: 0974-7753
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 122
• End Page: 123
• Keywords: hair styling; Bubble hair; heat damage; dermoscopy; trichogram
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Biology, Microbiology

Abstract

Exposing wet hair to high temperatures can create gas bubbles within the hair shaft, leading to brittle, dry hairs in a disorder known as bubble hair abnormality. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented for hair breakage over her crown. She regularly dried her damp hair with a blow dryer. Dermoscopy revealed multiple bubbles within the hair shaft, and diagnosis of bubble hair abnormality was confirmed by light microscopy. Our unusual case highlights the ease of acquisition of this abnormality by means of a common hair dryer, and the utility of dermoscopy to make a fast and accurate diagnosis within the office.