Hair Transplantation in the Cicatricial Alopecias

Abstract

Cicatricial alopecia (CA) causes irreversible hair loss and negatively affects self-image and self-esteem of patient. Cicatricial alopecias are divided into two main groups as "primary" and "secondary" cicatricial alopecias. Spontaneous regrowth of hair in case of cicatricial alopecia can rarely occur. Cicatricial alopecias can be treated by certain surgical procedures such as excision, flap surgery, scar reduction with gradually tissue expansion, and hair transplantation. The most important determining cause for surgery success of cicatricial alopecia surgery is the low blood flow of the recipient region. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method is prefered for hair transplantation for cicatricial alopecia. FUE method is mostly preferred in patients who have large areas of scattered cicatrices in recipient region. Cicatricial alopecia patients with no active disease signs should have more alternative therapeutic options. One of those options can be hair neogenesis from autologous adult hair follicle cell populations in the future.