Lichen Planopilaris Scalp Treatment

A dermatologist first looks for active inflammation, areas of scarring, and the pattern of shedding. Treatment may involve medicine applied to the scalp, injections into selected inflamed areas, or medicine taken by mouth when broader control is needed. Existing scarred follicles generally cannot produce a new hair, so the goal is often to prevent active disease from extending rather than to promise regrowth. Follow-up examinations help assess whether tenderness, scale, redness, or shedding is settling.

Use prescribed scalp medicines exactly as directed and tell the clinician about pregnancy, other medicines, infections, and medical conditions before treatment. [Steroid Injection Into The Skin](/treatments/injectables/intralesional-steroid-injection/) may be considered for selected areas, while [Oral Corticosteroid Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/oral-corticosteroid-therapy/) is a clinician-supervised option for some inflammatory patterns. Gentle washing and avoiding tight hairstyles or chemical irritation can reduce additional scalp stress.

Seek a review if hair loss spreads, the scalp becomes increasingly sore or itchy, or new redness and scale appear despite treatment. Contact the treating clinician about troublesome medicine effects rather than stopping a prescribed course abruptly. Rapid change deserves an earlier appointment.

Is my disease active, scarred, or both? What improvement should I monitor? How long will we try this treatment before changing it? Do I need scalp photographs, trichoscopy, or a biopsy?