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
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.
Scarring Alopecia
Clinical Applications
Scarring alopecia involves permanent hair loss caused by follicular scarring.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
Clinical Applications
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hereditary form of hair loss characterized by gradual thinning of scalp hair.
Trichology
Clinical Applications
Trichology is the branch of dermatology that focuses on the scientific study of hair and scalp health.