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
Cicatricial Alopecia
Clinical Applications
Cicatricial alopecia refers to a group of rare hair loss disorders that cause permanent destruction of hair follicles through inflammation and subsequent scarring.
Alopecia Areata
Clinical Applications
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy hair loss when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.
Estrogen
Clinical Applications
Estrogen is a hormone that plays a critical role in regulating hair growth in women, particularly by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
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.
