What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.
This condition disrupts the normal hair growth cycle and can lead to sudden bald spots on the scalp or body. It affects both men and women and often emerges without warning.
Red light therapy may help reduce inflammation associated with alopecia areata and support the regeneration of affected follicles. While not a cure, light-based treatments have shown promise in improving hair density in some cases.
Related terms
Diffuse Thinning
Clinical Applications
Diffuse thinning refers to uniform hair loss across the entire scalp rather than in defined patches or regions.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
Clinical Applications
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hereditary form of hair loss characterized by gradual thinning of scalp hair.
Balding Pattern
Clinical Applications
A balding pattern refers to the typical progression of hair loss, often influenced by genetics and commonly classified using scales like the Norwood-Hamilton or Ludwig scales.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
Clinical Applications
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a hair transplant method where individual follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area and implanted into thinning or bald areas of the scalp.