Scarring Alopecias in Women

Hi,
I’m a 30 year old African-American female with hair loss on the entire top of my head. I was diagnosed 9 years ago with scarring hair folliclelitis and since that time my hair loss has escalated. I’ve worn weaves, wigs and the hair piece that you have to use a special tape to wear it. I feel that by using these methods to cover up my hair loss, i’ve made it worse. I was interested in hair transplant but do not know if I would be a candidate. Can you please tell me?

Weaves, wigs and the hair pieces cause hair loss. This is common in the African-American female community where balding (hidden by wigs) may be the norm in some communities. As you have already seen a dermatologist, I would suggest that you go back to that doctor. Scarring alopecias are a special case diagnosis which your doctor can put into perspective for you. Hair transplantation in a patient with active scarring alopecia do not go together. An alternative to a biopsy may be a test transplant of 10 grafts into the bald area. If they grow in 6-8 months, then the disease may be inactive and you may be a candidate for a hair transplant. Hair transplants for African hair tend to do very well provided that the skin in healthy.