BACKGROUND: The wash test is currently used to assess hair shedding, though it lacks a cut-off point of normality and any evidence of being reliable. The aim of this study is to provide data to fulfil those needs. METHODS: The wash test was employed in a standardized way on 31 children aged 3-11 years. RESULTS: The test yielded 10.68 +/- 3.91 hairs, a figure which may be considered as 'normal' for children of that age. The chi(2) test granted the validity of the method. The number of shed hairs counted in the washing basin increased with the age of the subjects. COMMENT: The wash test proved to be reliable and to be a useful tool for monitoring hair shedding. The increasing trend with age may suggest a possible prepubertal onset of androgenetic alopecia.
BACKGROUND: The wash test is currently used to assess hair shedding, though it lacks a cut-off point of normality and any evidence of being reliable. The aim of this study is to provide data to fulfil those needs. METHODS: The wash test was employed in a standardized way on 31 children aged 3-11 years. RESULTS: The test yielded 10.68 +/- 3.91 hairs, a figure which may be considered as 'normal' for children of that age. The chi(2) test granted the validity of the method. The number of shed hairs counted in the washing basin increased with the age of the subjects. COMMENT: The wash test proved to be reliable and to be a useful tool for monitoring hair shedding. The increasing trend with age may suggest a possible prepubertal onset of androgenetic alopecia.