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.
Finasteride
Clinical Applications
Finasteride is an oral prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Folliculitis
Clinical Applications
Folliculitis is the inflammation or infection of hair follicles, typically caused by bacteria, fungi, or physical irritation.
Scarring Alopecia
Clinical Applications
Scarring alopecia involves permanent hair loss caused by follicular scarring.
