Treating Cicatricial Alopecia : Cicatricial alopecia, also known as scarring alopecia, is a form of hair loss in women and men that is marked by the scarring of the scalp where the hair follicle is destroyed and replaced with a scar tissue causing permanent hair loss. Unlike other forms of hair loss, cicatricial alopecia results in scattered bald patches of hair loss and is usually associated with redness and irritation on the scalp. In other cases, causes of scarring alopecia are associated with severe itching, burning and pain which progresses rapidly. Sometimes hair follicles, such as around the bald patches, are not completely destroyed and they can regrow. But generally hair regrowth is not possible and all that is left are just a few longitudinal scars deep in the skin. These scars indicate that the hair follicles were present in that place. The inflammation destroys the follicle below the skin surface but above the skin surface generally not much inflammation is visible. While there is no known pattern for why cicatricial alopecia affects some women, it often occurs when patients have either lupus, an immune system disorder, or lichen planus, an inflammatory skin disease.
Why Cicatricial Alopecia is Often Permanent
Unfortunately, with this type of hair loss, there is no potential for the affected hair to grow back. Therefore, the goal of preventing further hair loss complications of the condition is to treat it as early as possible. Dr. Umar notes that inflammation can be reduced with topical, injectable or oral medications. Treatment will depend on the severity of one’s condition, and patients with this form of hair loss need to be closely monitored by an experienced dermatologist throughout treatment. Diagnosis is determined by a biopsy and clinical evaluation. To determine the viability of a hair transplant in many cases of cictricial alopecia, a biopsy will tell your Dermatologist the location of the inflammation, the amount, type, and if there are any changes in your scalp. These results will help him determine the amount of activity present so he can prescribe the correct treatment for you. For more information, please contact Dr. Umar in Los Angeles at his DermHair Hair Restoration Clinic in Redondo Beach at (310)318-1500, or visit do a free hair consultation online with Dr U
(image- Creative Commons) Inflammation can cause hair loss and leave scar tissue around the hair follicle.
