TLDR Cicatricial alopecia may be caused by immune attacks on hair follicles, gland issues, or stem cell damage.
The document discussed the pathogenesis of cicatricial alopecia, highlighting several hypothetical mechanisms behind scarring alopecia. It suggested that targeted cytotoxic action against hair follicle cells, mediated by folliculocentric inflammation, might play a role. One hypothesis proposed autoimmune targeting of hair follicle-specific self-antigens, though this lacked direct evidence. Other theories included defects in sebaceous gland function, destruction of hair follicle stem cells, and disrupted communication between hair follicle mesenchyme and epithelium. The article emphasized the need for systematic research to address these hypotheses and advance the understanding of cicatricial alopecia etiology.
208 citations,
December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Certain cells from hair follicles can create new hair and contribute to hair growth when implanted in mice.
179 citations,
June 2000 in “The American journal of pathology” The absence of functional sebaceous glands causes hair follicle destruction and scarring alopecia.
12 citations,
January 2000 in “Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery” Microorganism overgrowth and hyperkeratosis may trigger immune reactions causing lichen planopilaris.
72 citations,
December 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Human hair follicles can regenerate after removal, but with low success rate.
36 citations,
October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Mice are useful for researching human hair loss and testing treatments, despite some differences between species.
41 citations,
January 1992 in “Journal of medical genetics” The study found that males with KFSD had severe skin and eye symptoms, while female carriers had milder symptoms.
51 citations,
May 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Benign follicular mucinosis involves immune cells attacking hair follicles.
148 citations,
December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
4 citations,
November 2018 in “JAAD case reports” Alopecia areata can sometimes appear as a straight line of hair loss instead of round patches.
May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
110 citations,
December 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings” Alopecia areata is a genetic and immune-related hair loss condition that is often associated with other autoimmune diseases and does not typically cause permanent damage to hair follicles.
