Scarring Alopecia

How Scarring Alopecia Affects Hair Loss in Toronto, CAN

Scarring Alopecia, or “Cicatricial Alopecia” is a type of hair loss that can vary in its form and presentation. There are several different types of scarring alopecia, but one thing they all have in common is that the affected areas will usually not grow back. This is because the skin in the affected area becomes scarred, which means it no longer contains the essential organs and cells required to grow hair. It is very important therefore to seek treatment as soon as possible in order to halt the spread of the hair loss. Determining which type of scarring alopecia you have can only be achieved with careful examination of the scalp. Often, a biopsy is required to confirm diagnosis. Most forms of scarring alopecia start as small, inflamed patches of hair loss with small scales around the follicular openings.

Treatments from Freedom Clinic for Scarring Alopecia

Treatments for scarring alopecia have to be as aggressive as the disorder itself. Medical professionals have seen successful results using medications such as corticosteroids in either topical creams or injected directly into the affected area. Methotrexate, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, and even thalidomide also get used for more aggressive forms of scarring alopecia. Other treatments are always being tested in order to improve the results of treatments. There are also some supplements may help in the prevention and spread of scarring alopecia. Because scarring alopecia is, like psoriasis, and auto-immune disorder, stress can also be a factor.

Identifying the Different Types of Scarring Alopecia

Scarring alopecia comes in multiple different forms, all with varying degrees of severity. It will be up to the professionals at Freedom Clinic to help determine which one is causing your hair loss. Below are some of the more common forms of scarring alopecia that we see. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA): Generally affects the frontal area of the scalp and often progresses down the temples. Patients have also been known to lose their eyebrows with this form of alopecia. Many affected are postmenopausal women over the age of 50. Although the hair loss can progress quickly, it usually stops before it progresses into the mid-scalp area. In active disease, the openings of affected follicles will show scaling and inflammation. Once the hair falls and the follicles die, the skin is usually pale and smooth. Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA): This is a type of scarring alopecia that is prevalent in the African and African American community. It is often associated with chemical treatments or excessive braiding of the hair. The alopecia can affect any part of the scalp, but is often seen through the top, front and temples of the scalp, where more pressure from braiding exists. Affected hair shows perifollicular inflammation, and is sometimes seen in conjunction with traction alopecia – hair loss caused by tension on the hair. Lichen Planopilaris (LPP): Like other forms of scarring alopecia, this form of alopecia is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Your immune system attacks the hair follicles and replaces them with scar tissue,  closing them off from hair production. LPP is similar to FFA in it’s presentation, however it generally starts as small patches in the mis-scalp or crown area, and the affected areas can coalesce into area as large as the palm of your hand. In LLP, the skin is often rough and discoloured. The skin is rough due to the presence of keratotic plugs in the follicles. As this condition can spread throughout the scalp, treatment beginning ASAP is essential. Psuedopilade: In Psuedopelade, there is seldom irritation, inflammation, scaling, or other signs of scalp disease. The hair loss itself is the sole indicator. Patches are usually small and irregular, and the condition usually does not spread far. Folliculitis Decalvans (FD): This type of scarring alopecia is characterized by marked areas of inflammation as well as scaling around the follicular openings. One symptom that distinguishes FD from other forms of scarring alopecia is the presence of tufted hair follicles: As the top area of the follicles are destroyed, the bottom area still produces hairs which may find exit through the skins other follicles, which presents as several hairs emerging from one follicle.

Call Freedom Clinic Today for Issues with Scarring Alopecia

Freedom Clinic is your source for help with diagnosing and treating scarring alopecia. Our Toronto clinic is staffed by certified professionals. Call or visit to set up a consultation and personalized treatment plan today.