Hair analysis under the microscope
With just a pluck, a microscope can reveal why your hair has lost its shine and volume.
Recently, some hair clinics and salons have introduced a new service – hair analysis.
It’s an interesting approach where a sample of the client’s hair is examined under a microscope. The hidden details revealed under the enhanced magnification of the microscope allow the clinician to evaluate any issues and create a personalised treatment plan.
If you’re interested in becoming a hair analyst yourself, the first thing you’ll need is a decent microscope.
What you need in a hair analysis microscope
There are a few qualities you should look for in a hair analysis microscope.
- Magnification
You’re going to need a decent amount of magnification to see all the important details of the hair shaft.
A good hair analysis microscope should have at least 200x magnification.
- Ease of use
Your microscope should be convenient, easy to use, and fit comfortably into your workspace.
If you or your staff aren’t familiar with traditional microscopes, you might want to look at some of the newer handheld digital microscopes.
They’re lightweight, simple and effective. They’re also incredibly compact, so they’ll fit into even the busiest salon or workplace without a hassle.
- Digital camera
A digital camera is important for a few reasons.
You’ll be able to take photos and video, letting you document your work and gather reference material.
You can also put the images up on a screen so the client can see exactly what you’re talking about, making your consultations more immersive and understandable.
- Reasonable price
Hair analysis doesn’t require the very best microscopy has to offer, so there’s no reason to break the bank.
Nor is there a need for advanced features or higher magnifications – most microscopes under $1,000 will fit the bill.
Our recommendation – the Dino Lite Premier AM4113ZT
Naturally, there are many options out there, but a portable, handheld microscope like the Dino-Lite Premier AM4113ZT is definitely worth a look.
It’s powerful, compact and easy to use. You’ll have no problems observing microscopic hair details with its 1.3 Megapixel lens and built-in digital camera.
Magnification
The AM4113ZT has a range of magnification options. You can freely adjust the magnification between 20x and 50x for an overview, and also set it to 200x for a close inspection.
Camera
The Dino-Lite has a built-in 1.3 Megapixel camera, making it ideal for high resolution hair inspection. The 8 adjustable LEDs ensure bright, even illumination in any lighting conditions.
Digital connection
You and your clients can see the hair image live on a screen on your Windows or Mac OS device via USB. The image is streamed directly to your device through the Dino-Lite software suite.
You can take photos or video at the touch of a button and perform measurements with professional accuracy using the bundled software tools.
Price
The AM4113ZT is one of the most popular models for its all-round effectiveness. It’s powerful, versatile and easy to use. Best of all, at around $885, it won’t break the bank.
Ultimately though, no one knows your business – and its needs – better than you. If you’re deciding whether to buy a handheld microscope or not, start with the qualities described above and work from there.