Research Information System
in: Alopecia Management - An Update, M.D. Trinidad Montero-Vílchez and Dr. Salvador Arias-Santiago, Editor, IntechOpen, London, pp.1-19, 2022
Cicatricial alopecia presents a heterogeneous group of disorders, which are
characterized by the destruction of hair follicles, and resulting in scarring and
irreversible hair loss. Cicatricial alopecia is classified into two categories depending on
the target pathological process. In primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA), the hair follicle
is the sole target of a progressive inflammatory process in various skin or systemic
diseases. In secondary cicatricial alopecia (SCA), non-specific and generalized
disruption of the skin and skin appendages results in fibrotic scarring of the skin and
permanent loss of hair follicles due to underlying disease or an external agent. The aim
of the treatment of PCA is to reduce inflammation and prevent progression to irreversible alopecia by using immunosuppressive and antimicrobial agents at the earliest
phase of the disease. When permanent hair loss occurs in PCA and SCA, scar tissue
should be removed or camouflaged by surgical treatment. However, it is difficult to
remove the existing scar and treat alopecia. Follicular unit extraction technique hair
transplantation is a minimally invasive and alternative treatment with a high success
and satisfaction rate in the treatment of cicatricial alopecia.
Keywords: cicatricial alopecia, follicular unit extraction, hair follicle unit, hair
transplantation, scarring alopecia