What should you know about hair transplant lichen planopilaris?

Lichen planopilaris is an inflammatory scalp condition that can cause redness, scale, burning, itching, tenderness, and scarring hair loss. When inflammation destroys a follicle, hair may not regrow from that opening. A transplant places follicles into recipient skin, but it does not switch off the inflammatory process. Operating while the condition is active may place grafts and surrounding follicles under avoidable stress, so a dermatologist may first assess symptoms, scalp findings, and whether inflammation is quiet.

Arrange a dermatology review if you have ongoing scalp pain, itch, redness, scale, or expanding areas of hair loss. Bring photographs showing change over time and a list of previous treatments. Treatment may include Steroid Injection Into The Skin or Oral Corticosteroid Treatment when clinically appropriate. Do not begin, stop, or alter these medicines without a prescriber. Surgery should be discussed only after the disease activity and donor area have been assessed.

Seek prompt review for rapidly spreading hair loss, increasing scalp pain, pus, marked redness, open sores, fever, or new smooth shiny patches. These findings can indicate active inflammation, infection, or scarring and need examination. After any procedure, worsening pain, bleeding, drainage, or swelling should be reported to the treating team.

Ask how activity will be assessed, whether a scalp biopsy or other examination is needed, how long inflammation should be controlled, and how donor follicles will be protected. Ask what non-surgical options remain if surgery is unsuitable and how follow-up will detect renewed inflammation.