Possible role of the bulge region in the pathogenesis of inflammatory scarring alopecia: lichen planopilaris as the prototype

Abstract

Our study supports the finding that in LPP, the inflammatory infiltrate mainly involves the bulge region, where the stem cells reside. Once this area is damaged, the hair loses its potential of regrowth with resulting scarring alopecia. This is in contrast with inflammatory non-scarring alopecias such as alopecia areata, where the bulb region is targeted, sparing the stem cells.