Notes From The Editor Emeritus: What If 10% Of Your Cases Were Lichen Planopilaris Incognito?

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP) is an autoimmune condition causing permanent hair loss and fibrosis, often misdiagnosed. Treatments include pioglitazone, topical corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medication, and Jak inhibitors.

Men with hair loss might have lichen planopilaris (LPP), which can mimic androgenetic alopecia, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment with finasteride or dutasteride. Proper diagnosis, including biopsies, is crucial to distinguish between androgenetic alopecia and conditions like LPP.

The conversation discusses concerns about getting a hair transplant with the potential release of a new treatment, PP405, which may regrow dormant hair follicles. The user is currently using Minoxidil, Derma, and Keto but is waiting to start finasteride or dutasteride.

Hair transplant recipients are concerned about whether dormant follicles are permanently damaged by incisions, but some believe undamaged follicles could still regrow if a treatment like PP405 is effective. Opinions vary on the impact of transplants on original follicles, with some suggesting treatments like finasteride can help regrow hair.

PP405, a topical treatment, shows promise for hair growth by activating inactive follicles, with 66% of participants experiencing positive results. The treatment is well-tolerated and may proceed directly to Phase 3 trials, offering a potential alternative to minoxidil and finasteride.

PP405 cannot restore extracted hair follicles after a transplant as they are removed, not dormant. Combining verteporphin with wounding and PP405 is suggested but not confirmed effective.