What is inflammatory alopecia?
Inflammatory alopecia is hair loss caused by persistent or chronic inflammation that damages or destroys hair follicles. It often presents with redness, scaling, or scalp discomfort.
Examples include lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus. Inflammatory alopecia can lead to scarring if left untreated, making early intervention critical.
Red light therapy may help manage inflammation when paired with appropriate medical care by calming immune overactivity and promoting healing in early, non-scarring stages of inflammatory alopecia.
Related terms
Telangiectasia
Clinical Applications
Telangiectasia refers to small, visible blood vessels near the skin surface.
Corticosteroids
Clinical Applications
Corticosteroids are a class of anti-inflammatory medications used to suppress immune activity in conditions such as alopecia areata and other autoimmune-related hair loss.
Autoimmune Response
Clinical Applications
An autoimmune response is a malfunction of the immune system in which the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, including hair follicles.
Minoxidil
Clinical Applications
Minoxidil is a topical medication that promotes hair regrowth by prolonging the growth phase.
