Guided by the Expert Consensus on Scalp Health Management [1], CIRS Testing evaluates scalp health across five parameters, including:
- Dandruff;
- Sebum levels;
- Itchiness;
- Erythema, papules, pustules; and
- The overall hair status.
Figure 1: Indicators for Scalp Health Evaluation
In Part I of this series, we introduced the evaluation methods for dandruff, sebum levels, and itchiness.
In this article (Part II), we focus on the evaluation methods for erythema, papules, pustules, and the overall hair status.
Evaluation Methods for Erythema/Papules/Pustules
Clinical presentation
- Erythema may appear as small patches, widespread confluent areas, or irregular geographical patterns on the scalp.
- Papules and pustules may present as scattered lesions or merge into plaques. They can appear red, yellowish-red, or brownish-red.
- Follicular pustules typically have a single hair emerging from the center, vary in size from pinhead to soybean, and may display erythematous bases or surrounding halos, and may present as scattered lesions or merge to form a yellowish crust.
Causes
Erythema
- Inflammatory: caused by temporary dilation of dermal blood vessels, typically in response to infections or chemical/physical irritants.
- Non-inflammatory: typically associated with structural vascular abnormalities.
Papules arise from localized epidermal thickening and/or proliferation or infiltration of dermal cells, often linked to infections or inflammatory conditions.
Pustules result from infections or inflammation [1]
Evaluation Methods
1. Expert Analysis
Figure 2 Expert Analysis
2. Intelligent Scalp Analyzer (with visualized images)
Figure 3: Scalp erythema
Figure 4: Scalp Pustules
3. Intelligent Scalp Analyzer (quantitative analysis results and visualized images can be provided)
Note: the red parts represent the redness area
Figure 5: Scalp redness area
Evaluation Methods for Overall Hair Status
The overall hair status is evaluated based on three key indicators:
- Hair loss/baldness,
- Gray (white) hair, and
- Split ends.
Hair loss/baldness
Hair loss refers to excessive hair shaft shedding, while baldness describes clear areas of hair absence resulting from abnormal shedding.
Hair loss can present in various patterns. For example, localized alopecia is confined to a specific area of the scalp. Baldness, however, may present as clearly defined round, oval, or irregular areas of complete hair loss, or may progress to total absence of hair.
Causes of hair loss/baldness:
- Follicular degeneration due to scalp aging;
- Infections;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Environmental factors;
- Nutritional deficiencies; and
- Medications.
Gray (white) hair
Partial or complete graying of hair results from genetics, oxidative stress damaging pigment cells, and impaired function of pigment stem cells in hair follicles.
Split ends
This occurs when the hair shaft splits at the tip. Common causes include:
- Excessive washing or chemical treatments (dyeing, perming);
- Inadequate nutritional support; and
- Imbalanced scalp sebum secretion.
Evaluation Methods
1. Trichoscope (quantitative analysis and visualized images can be provided)
Figure 6: The number of hairs in a single hair follicle
Figure 7: Gray hair status
2. Intelligent Scalp Analyzer (quantitative analysis and visualized images can be provided)
Figure 8: The average number of hairs in hair follicles
3. High-Resolution Camera (quantitative analysis and visualized images can be provided)
Figure 9: Split ends
Why Choose Us?
Extensive Participant Database: We have an extensive participant database that spans multiple cities across China, assembling a diverse group of participants with varied consumer needs. This ensures CIRS Testing meets the broad requirements of different brands in market research, thereby providing comprehensive and authentic consumer feedback for product efficacy evaluation.
Perfect Laboratory Construction: We possess a full set of professional testing equipment, including dermatoscopes, needle-type moisture test probes, ultra-small transepidermal water loss test probes, and scalp sebum meters. By integrating the expert assessments from dermatologists with various technical approaches, we offer extensive efficacy evaluation services for hair care products.
Whole Industry Chain Services: We provide one-stop services covering the whole life-cycle of a personal care product, which includes cosmetic ingredient development, physical/chemical tests, toxicological tests (in vivo & in vitro), efficacy studies (in vivo & in vitro), ingredient registration, and product registration.
Our team
CIRS Testing Cosmetic Laboratory has been accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) and China Metrology Accreditation (CMA). It is also accredited by the National Medical Products Administration.
With complete equipment and excellent technical competence, CIRS Testing Cosmetic Laboratory received recognition for its testing capabilities both domestically and abroad. The Cosmetic Laboratory has created many patents and has maintained close cooperation and in-depth communication with many national laboratories.
CIRS Testing Cosmetic Team is comprised of a marketing team, customer service team, regulatory compliance team as well as the laboratory, with a total of more than 60 staff. The team keeps on enhancing technical skills and improving its cosmetic service system. It is able to provide a one-stop service to clients, including cosmetic regulations consulting, registration/filing, safety efficacy evaluation, and testing.
If you have any needs or questions, please contact us at service@cirs-group.com.
References
[1] 李春英, 肖嵘, 刘玮, 等. 头皮健康管理专家共识[J]. 中华皮肤科杂志, 2022, 55(10): 843-849.
Other information
Is Your Scalp Healthy? – Scalp Health Evaluation Methods (Part I)