Lichen planopilaris: A classic example of scarring alopecia
LPP: A scarring (cicatricial) alopecia
Hair loss is frequently divided into two big groups - "scarring" and "non-scarring." The accompanying photo shows the typical 'dermatoscopic' appearance of lichen planopilaris (LPP), namely the absence of the hair follicle openings (pores), white scale around some hairs, appearance of many single hairs, and reduced overall density.
Lichen planopilaris is an example of a scarring alopecia. The entities in this group generally are associated with permanent hair loss because the scarring alopecias are associated with death of hair follicle stem cells.
Treatment may help stop the disease but does not generally prompt new hair growth.
This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.