TLDR Frontal fibrosing alopecia causes hairline recession and eyebrow loss in postmenopausal women.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia characterized by progressive frontotemporal hairline recession. A retrospective review of 18 postmenopausal women diagnosed with FFA between June 1, 2008, and June 1, 2014, revealed an average age of 69 years. All patients exhibited frontotemporal recession with scarring alopecia, and 16 experienced partial or complete eyebrow loss. Additional findings included non-inflammatory skin-colored papules on the face in one patient, oral lichen planus in one, and vulvar lichen planus in two. Treatments administered were topical steroids, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, doxycycline, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and methotrexate.
159 citations,
August 2010 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Hydroxychloroquine effectively reduces symptoms of frontal fibrosing alopecia, especially in the first 6 months.
170 citations,
December 2009 in “Histopathology” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires good teamwork between skin doctors and lab experts.
64 citations,
June 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Oral dutasteride can potentially treat frontal fibrosing alopecia in postmenopausal women, with some patients showing disease arrest and hair regrowth.
155 citations,
September 2008 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” FFA is more common in postmenopausal women, can affect younger women, and may stabilize over time.
33 citations,
August 2005 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” Both vertical and transverse sections are useful for diagnosing alopecia, but using both methods together is best.
57 citations,
January 2003 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology” Postmenopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia is a type of hair loss in postmenopausal women that may stop on its own but has no effective treatment.
22 citations,
January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” The conclusion is that primary scarring alopecia is a complex condition that requires early and accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
Antimalarial agents are effective for LPP, and intralesional steroids are effective for FFA.
1 citations,
October 2008 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is a slowly progressing hair loss condition, likely underdiagnosed, with ineffective treatments, needing more research to understand it fully.
37 citations,
April 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some treatments like intralesional steroids and 5α-reductase inhibitors are effective for frontal fibrosing alopecia, but more research is needed.
March 2020 in “Clinical research in dermatology” Two unusual cases showed that Lichen Planopilaris can look like other skin conditions and need early treatment to protect hair.
January 2023 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Intralesional corticosteroids and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are the best treatments for frontal fibrosing alopecia.
