Hair mass index obtained by cross-section trichometry: an objective and clinically useful parameter to quantify hair in chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Purpose: In order to evaluate the efficacy of scalp cooling for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), it is essential to precisely quantify the amount of hair mass that is present. We wanted to determine if the hair mass index (HMI), obtained by cross-section trichometry (CST), was a suitable parameter for hair mass measurement, and whether or not marking the measurement site on the scalp was necessary.

Methods: Ten patients receiving chemotherapy were sequentially measured using CST during their treatment.