Drug-Induced Scarring And Permanent Alopecia

The review addresses the rare occurrence of permanent drug-induced alopecia, distinguishing between noninflammatory and inflammatory types. Noninflammatory alopecia often follows chemotherapy with taxanes and busulfan, while inflammatory cases are linked to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, manifesting as conditions like folliculitis decalvans and lichen planopilaris. The evidence is mainly from case reports, lacking robust pathology or long-term studies. The review summarizes drugs associated with scarring or permanent alopecia, their prevalence, clinical features, and management strategies, based on 76 articles. Treatment options such as minoxidil and scalp cooling show varying success. The document emphasizes the need for further studies to understand persistent hair loss and stresses the importance of prompt clinical recognition and treatment to improve patient outcomes.