Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA)
The hairline slowly recedes, often with thinning or loss of the eyebrows. It is seen mostly in women, and also in men.
Also called Kossard’s frontal fibrosing alopecia
Cicatricial alopecia · Jubilee Hills
Scarring alopecia treatment in Hyderabad
Experienced. Expert. Ethical.
Diagnosis and treatment by MD dermatologists who are also ABHRS-certified hair restoration surgeons
Has your hairline started moving back? Are there smooth, shiny patches on your scalp where hair used to grow? Does your scalp itch, burn or feel sore?
Many people put this down to stress, dandruff or ordinary hair fall, and spend months on oils and shampoos. Meanwhile, if it is scarring alopecia, the damage carries on quietly. The sooner it is identified, the more of your own hair can be protected.
At Dr. Madhu's Advanced Hair Transplant Centre in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, scarring alopecia is looked after by two MD dermatologists who also do hair restoration surgery. That means the person who diagnoses the condition is the same person who can guide you on everything that follows, from medical treatment to a transplant, if and when it makes sense.
Photo: dermatologist examining the scalp with a dermoscope1200 × 900 px, WebP, with consentimages/scarring-alopecia-treatment-hyderabad.webp
The condition
What is scarring alopecia?
Scarring alopecia, also called cicatricial alopecia, is a group of conditions in which inflammation around the hair follicle destroys it. Scar tissue then forms where the follicle used to be.
You may also hear it called scarring hair loss, permanent hair loss or primary cicatricial alopecia. These all point to the same problem: the follicle is damaged beyond repair.
Why it is different
A follicle that has been replaced by scar tissue cannot grow hair again. So the most important job in treatment is to stop the inflammation early, before more follicles are lost.
Types we treat
Types of scarring alopecia we treat
Each of these looks different and is treated differently, which is why a proper diagnosis comes first.
Lichen planopilaris (LPP)
The scalp itches, burns or feels tender, with redness and small scaly bumps around the hair roots. Hair is lost in patches.
Also called lichen plano pilaris, lichen planus pilaris
Discoid lupus of the scalp (DLE)
Red, scaly, sometimes thickened patches appear on the scalp and leave bald scars behind. It is not the same as systemic lupus (SLE), though a doctor should always confirm this.
Also called chronic cutaneous lupus, discoid lupus erythematosus
Pseudopelade of Brocq (PPB)
Small, smooth, patchy areas of hair loss, usually without much redness or itching, which can make it easy to ignore.
Also called Brocq’s pseudopelade, pseudopelade
Other scarring alopecias
- Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA)
- Folliculitis decalvans
- Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp
- Acne keloidalis nuchae
- Graham-Little syndrome
- Long-standing traction alopecia
- Scars from injury, burns, surgery or accidents
Not sure where yours fits? You don’t have to work that out. That’s our job.
Early warning
Signs you should not ignore
- A hairline that is moving back, or eyebrows that are thinning
- Bald patches that look smooth, shiny or slightly sunken
- Redness, scaling or tiny bumps around the hair roots
- Itching, burning or tenderness on the scalp
- Hair loss that keeps spreading even after trying oils, supplements or shampoos
If any of this sounds familiar, get it examined. An early visit costs you very little. A late one can cost you hair that will not return.
Diagnosis
How we diagnose scarring alopecia
Scarring alopecia is often mistaken for pattern baldness, alopecia areata or dandruff. The treatments are completely different, so a wrong guess can mean lost time and lost hair.
Your history
The doctor listens to your history: when it started, how it has changed and what you have tried.Dermoscopy (trichoscopy)
Your scalp is examined closely under magnification, which shows the hair follicles. The pattern tells us a great deal.Biopsy or blood tests, if needed
Where the picture is unclear, a small scalp biopsy or blood tests may be advised, and we will explain why.
You will be told what you have, how active it is, and what to expect, in plain language.
Treatment
Treatment: stopping the damage first
Treatment depends on the type of scarring alopecia and how active it is. It may include medicines applied to the scalp, tablets, and injections into the affected areas. Your doctor chooses and adjusts these for you, not from a standard list.
These are long-term conditions, so regular follow-up is part of the plan, and the treatment is reviewed as your scalp responds.
What we tell every patient
Hair that has already been lost to scarring will not regrow on its own. What treatment can do is calm the disease, ease symptoms such as itching and burning, and protect the hair you still have.
Calm the disease
Stop the inflammation early, before more follicles are lost.
Ease symptoms
Relieve itching, burning and tenderness on the scalp.
Protect your hair
Keep the hair you still have, with regular follow-up.
Surgery
Hair transplant for scarring alopecia
This is the question most patients eventually ask. In selected cases, a hair transplant can restore hair in areas that have been scarred.
Timing is critical
The disease needs to have settled and stayed stable first. A transplant done while the condition is still active can fail, because the new grafts can be affected too. Not every patient is a suitable candidate, and we will say so openly if you are not.
This is where having a dermatologist and a hair transplant surgeon involved in the same plan matters. The same doctors who control the disease also decide when your scalp is ready, and whether surgery is worth it for you.
Scars from injuries, burns, accidents or surgery
The same applies to scars from injuries, burns, accidents or earlier surgery, where hair no longer grows in the scarred skin. In stable, healed scars, a transplant can sometimes bring hair back. The scar tissue has a weaker blood supply than normal scalp, so the result needs careful planning and realistic expectations. Your doctor will examine the scar and explain what is possible.
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Meet your doctors
Your diagnosis and treatment plan come directly from one of them.
Dr. Pathuri Madhu
MD (Dermatology) · ABHRS Diplomate
Has been treating skin, scalp and hair conditions for more than two decades. That depth of experience matters in scarring alopecia, where the early signs are subtle and are easily missed or mislabelled.
- MD (Dermatology)
- Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS)
- 31 years in hair restoration
Dr. P. Ram Sushruth
MD (DVL) · Hair transplant surgeon · ABHRS Diplomate
Combines dermatology training with hands-on surgical expertise in hair transplantation, and works closely with Dr. Madhu on every complex scalp case.
- MD (Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy)
- Diplomate, American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS)
- Practising since 2019 (7 years)
Why Dr. Madhu's
Why patients choose Dr. Madhu’s Advanced Hair Transplant Centre
Dermatologist-led care
Scarring alopecia is a medical condition first. It is diagnosed and managed by MD dermatologists.
Medical treatment and surgery under one roof
No being passed between clinics.
Two ABHRS Diplomates
Board-certified expertise in hair restoration.
Honest advice
If a treatment or transplant will not help you, we will say so.
Careful follow-up
Because these conditions need it.
Questions
Questions patients ask us about scarring alopecia
Is scarring alopecia contagious?
No. You cannot catch it from anyone or pass it on.
Did I cause scarring alopecia with hair oil, dye or hairstyles?
In most cases, no. Most types are linked to the immune system, not to what you apply on your hair. Your doctor can tell you if any habit needs to change.
How is scarring alopecia different from normal hair fall?
In normal hair fall, follicles stay alive and hair can return. In scarring alopecia, follicles are destroyed. Smooth patches, scalp symptoms and a receding hairline are often clues.
How long does scarring alopecia treatment take?
Usually many months, with follow-up continuing after that. Your doctor will explain what is realistic for your type.
Next step
Book your scarring alopecia consultation in Jubilee Hills
If your hair loss has patches, symptoms or a pattern that doesn’t feel like normal hair fall, come and get it checked. Early diagnosis makes the biggest difference.
Call+91 90004 11511 / +91 90004 11522
Emailhairhospihyd@gmail.com
VisitFlat No. 301, Aditya Jayrag, Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 500033
HoursConsultations: all days, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, by appointment
This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation.
Consultation
Consult Dr. Madhu's team
Send your hair loss details and scalp photos for an online evaluation, or speak directly with our doctors on WhatsApp or in-person in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.