bubble hair is an acquired hair shaft deformity characterized by bubble - like areas in the hair shaft seen with light microscopy and corresponding cavitary defects with scanning electron microscopy . it occurs due to thermal injury caused to the hair by hair dryers , heating tongs or hot curls . hair appears dry , wiry , with patchy loss of hair due to excessive fragility . it may be associated with other acquired hair shaft defects such as trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis . a 22-year - old female patient reported to us with complaints of dry hair with excessive fragility of two - week duration . there was history of using hot iron on wet hair to straighten the hair twice over the past one month . clinical examination of scalp hair showed dry brittle hair which was broken unevenly [ figures 1 and 2 ] . eyebrows and body hair was normal . hair was not easily pluckable but was brittle . uneven broken , dry - looking hair uneven broken , dry - looking hair light microscopic examination of the hair showed spaces within the hair shaft [ figure 3 ] . few hairs showed node - like formation with fraying ( trichorrhexis nodosa ) and there was distal splitting of hair ( trichoptilosis ) [ figures 4 and 5 ] . these changes were noted in other hair samples and not the one which showed bubbles . as the name suggests , bubble hair is full of bubbles much like a sponge . the use of hair curling tongs operating at 125c and applied to the hair for one minute can also induce bubbles in hair fiber . this vaporization of the water may force the spaces in the hair to expand , eventually turning the hair into a sponge - like structure . these damaged hairs are weak and brittle as the bubbles destroy the integrity of the fiber . chemical treatment may also precipitate the onset of bubble hair and any already weak hair , whatever the cause , may be more susceptible to bubble development . electron microscopic studies of previously reported cases revealed a loss of cortical cells and medulla at these sites . , dermatoscopy can be used to highlight hair that warranted closer examination under light microscopy . clinically , hair appears to be kinked , break off , and over time , the condition may develop into a localized alopecia . come out in clumps ,  and the overall texture of the hair changing from soft and naturally curly to straight and stiff has been reported . it can be prevented and treated by avoidance of using excessive heat and chemicals on the hair and by cutting off the old damaged hair . our case presented with a classical history of use of hot irons to straighten hair followed by hair changes . along with bubble hair , other shaft abnormalities like trichoptilosis and trichorrhexis nodosa were also noted . there are a few reports of bubble hair in literature.[247 ] though it is a common condition , it is rarely diagnosed and reported . light microscopic examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis and counseling the patient will prevent repeated injury to hair shaft .