Yahoo TV

Essentially, the term relates to the reduction and loss of hair. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the cells in the immune system have attacked the follicles - causing the hair to fall out. Scarring alopecia refers to when hair follicles become inflamed and are replaced with scar tissue on the skin on the scalp. Examples include traction/traumatic alopecia, which is often related to continuous braiding or certain hairstyles, and lichen planopilaris, an inflammatory scalp condition. Non-scarring alopecia is when there is little irritation or inflammation, but hair loss can be significant.