Scarring Alopecia: Ingrown hair

Ingrown hair

Ingrown hairs occur when the distal or end portion of a hair follicle curves back into the scalp. Ingrown hairs can occur for a variety of reasons the most common being seen in individuals with coarser and curlier hair. Ingriwn hairs are seen in some individuals after shaving, and may also be seen in the context of some localized infections and folliculitis. Scarring alopecias such as dissecting cellulitis are more commonly associated with ingrown hairs than other scarring alopecias. Here an ingrown hair is seen in a patient with lichen planopilaris (LPP). Treatment includes removal of the hair from under the skin and treament of the associated inflammation or infection.