Russia Builds AI System That Identifies Why Hair Falls Out
A new diagnostic program developed by researchers in Perm can determine the cause of hair loss in minutes—saving patients time, money, and ineffective treatments.
Scientists from Perm State Medical University and Perm National Research Polytechnic University have introduced a software tool that helps physicians identify the cause of hair loss. The system distinguishes natural age‑related thinning from pathology, enabling doctors to prescribe the right treatment immediately and sparing patients from spending money on useless cosmetics.
Hair loss affects millions: in Russia, one in three adults faces the problem. The market is flooded with “miracle” shampoos and serums, but many of them fail because they do not address the root cause—the condition of the hair follicle. Even specialists struggle to make an accurate diagnosis: standard examinations are subjective, and hardware‑based methods are expensive and not always accessible.
A Data-Backed Look at Aging Hair
For the first time, the diagnostic system is based on a detailed study of how healthy hair changes with age. Researchers analyzed two key measurable parameters—the width of the follicle and the thickness of the hair shaft—in men and women across different age groups.
How the Digital Assistant Works
The doctor inputs the patient’s sex, age, and microscopy data from just three hairs collected from different parts of the scalp. The algorithm compares the measurements with age‑specific norms established in the study and evaluates the biological age of the hair.
The program is ready for clinical deployment, requires no complex equipment, and reduces time to diagnosis from months to a single appointment. This saves patients money and frees up time for effective therapy.
