5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitor treatment for frontal fibrosing alopecia: an evidence‐based treatment update
TLDR 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may help stabilize or slow down hair loss in some frontal fibrosing alopecia patients, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.
The document reviewed the efficacy and safety of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (5 ARI) in the treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) by analyzing articles published between 2005 and 2017. The review found two studies with moderate evidence supporting the use of 5 ARI, often as an adjunct therapy, which resulted in mild to moderate hair regrowth and positive outcomes in severe cases of FFA. However, there is limited evidence regarding the safety of 5 ARI, and the studies analyzed may have limitations due to potential confounders and variations in methodology. The conclusion suggests that 5 ARI can lead to disease stability or a reduction in the rate of progression in selected FFA patients, but emphasizes the need for a well-designed randomized, double-blind, controlled study to further establish its role in FFA treatment.
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