What is scarring alopecia?
Scarring alopecia refers to a group of hair loss disorders where inflammation destroys the hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue.
It often presents with redness, scaling, and discomfort, and once the follicle is scarred, hair loss is usually permanent.
Red light therapy may offer anti-inflammatory benefits in early or pre-scarring stages, but it cannot reverse scarring once follicular structures are lost.
Related terms
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.
Scalp blood flow
Clinical Applications
Scalp blood flow refers to the circulation of blood through the vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles.
Trichology
Clinical Applications
Trichology is the branch of dermatology that focuses on the scientific study of hair and scalp health.
