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Innovations
2022
:2;
112
doi:
10.25259/CSDM_128_2022

Clinical pearl: Tangential lighting is a simple and fast technique for evaluating canities

Consultant Dermatologist, Mukhtar Skin Centre, Katihar Medical College Road, Katihar, Bihar, India.

*Corresponding author: Muhammed Mukhtar, Katihar Medical College Road, Katihar - 854105, Bihar, India. drmmukhtar20@gmail.com

Licence
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, transform, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

How to cite this article: Mukhtar M. Clinical pearl: Tangential lighting is a simple and fast technique for evaluating canities. CosmoDerma 2022;2:112.

PROBLEM

The assessment of gray hair (canities, white hair) is difficult in the room light because the gray hair is not fully apparent. Wood’s light is an excellent choice for this.[1] However, it is not an ideal alternative in a busy clinic because the door, window, and room light are all closed and require eye protection and help from an assistant. Furthermore, tangential light has been used to visualize leukotrichia (white hair) over vitiliginous lesions.[2]

SOLUTION

To address the aforementioned concerns and their negative consequences, we recommend using general torch, pencil torch, or even mobile light (non-LED sources) of visible wavelength to examine the body, beard, and scalp hair without making the room dark. On the surface of hair or hairy skin, the light is projected at an acute angle almost near to zero degree from at least a distance of 4–6 inches or more depending on the power of light source. However, the angle and distance can be easily adjusted during examination. Following this, the gray hair becomes more noticeable in comparison to the room light [Figure 1a-f]. The reason for this is because the shadow of the hair has expanded, making it plainly apparent to the naked eye. Thus, in a busy clinic, this simple and quick procedure saves time and requires no help. It is not, however, a proper qualitative and quantitative hair analysis for graying of hair.

(a-f) Tangential light enables better visualization of white hairs on the beard, scalp, and hands in the room light.
Figure 1:
(a-f) Tangential light enables better visualization of white hairs on the beard, scalp, and hands in the room light.

Declaration of patient consent

Patient’s consent not required as patient’s identity is not disclosed or compromised.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. , , . Looking for a grey needle in a “hair” stack! Using a Wood's lamp for evaluating canities. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2022
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. . Side lighting to enhance the visualization of leukotrichia in vitiligo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;87:e59.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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