What is scarring alopecia?
There are many causes of scarring alopecia:
- It can be secondary to an inflammatory pathology of the scalp, whether it is linked to an infection (bacterial, viral or by microscopic fungi), or the consequence of a more general inflammatory pathology of the skin (dermatosis).
- Accidents, such as trauma or burns, can cause scarring alopecia of the scalp
- Radiotherapy to the head and neck as part of cancer treatment causes scarring alopecia in some patients.
Symptoms of scarring alopecia
Unlike androgenetic alopecia, scarring alopecia does not go through a phase of progressive hair miniaturization.
A specific form of scarring alopecia is common in African-American women: central centrifugal scarring alopecia. Its origin remains difficult to explain. Hair care practices for frizzy hair with repeated braiding, weaving, and application of straightening products, seem to be triggering factors. Alopecia appears characteristically on the top of the head and progresses in a symmetrical and centrifugal manner (hence its name).
How to recognize scarring alopecia
Red patches are found on the scalp in the case of an inflammatory origin. The hair follicle is destroyed and replaced by a fibrous scar, which gives the skin a smooth and shiny appearance.
Central centrifugal scarring alopecia has the same distribution as female androgenetic alopecia. The absence of miniaturized hair and hair follicle orifices on the alopecic area helps guide the diagnosis.
Treatment for scarring alopecia
When the inflammation is too severe or when the origin is accidental, hair transplantation remains the only treatment option to regrow hair in the area affected by scarring alopecia. An important criterion for the feasibility of this transplant is that the donor area of the implants, in the neck, has been spared from scarring alopecia. Hair implantation allows the correction of alopecia permanently and with a natural appearance.
Camouflage techniques, such as wearing a wig, headband, turban or pigmentation with semi-permanent micro-tattooing, are also valuable options to cope with scarring alopecia and improve quality of life.