Quantitative analysis of hair follicles using optical coherence microscopy and digital staining

Monitoring hair follicles is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions like hair loss, skin diseases, and aging. Traditional histopathological methods, while standard, have limitations in providing dynamic and quantifiable data. This study presents a protocol utilizing a label-free, multi-scale optical imaging device combining Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM). This approach allows real-time, 3D morphological monitoring and rapid quantification of hair follicles, offering histopathological insights within an hour. The integration of in vivo/ex vivo imaging provides comprehensive functional and structural information, enhancing applications in histopathology, particularly in surgical settings, and reducing costs through sample reuse.