Hair Glossary

Contrasting Felt Examination

This test is used to see short, miniature hairs of the scalp.

An index card with black felt glued on one side, and white felt on the opposite side is used.

After making a parting in the hair, the index card is held along the scalp.

Fine short hairs with broken or tapered distal tips project up along the edges of the felt. 

miniature hairs can be seen in the androgen-dependent areas of both men and women presenting with androgenetic alopecia. In regrowing telogen effluvium, a classic short frontal fringe is seen.