Mechanisms and Current Research

Abstract

Until recently, primary cicatricial alopecias had received little attention in the clinical and research realm. With the dramatic increases in our knowledge of basic hair biology, new and powerful tools have become available to study these rare disorders in ways that were previously not possible. As we have moved from traditional clinical studies and histopathology to molecular biology, new paradigms regarding the pathophysiology of cicatricial alopecia have been developed. However, after clarifying many previously unanswered questions, we are faced with a series of new and unanswered ones. By the time this publication is completed, new information will be available, and we encourage the reader to stay tuned and engaged as research in cicatricial alopecia continues to unfold.