Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Update and Review of Challenges and Successes

October 2017 in “ Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ”

Derek To, Jennifer Beecker

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia scarring hair loss corticosteroids antiandrogens antimalarials antibiotics surgery trichoscopy FFA

TLDR No treatment has been proven to effectively stop hair loss or regrow hair in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, and more research is needed.

The 2017 review article on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) provided an overview of the condition, which affects mainly postmenopausal women but also premenopausal women and men, and is characterized by progressive scarring hair loss. The review, which included literature from PubMed and Cochrane databases, found no randomized control trials and highlighted the lack of a definitive etiology for FFA. Various treatments have been attempted, including corticosteroids, antiandrogens, antimalarials, antibiotics, and surgery, with inconsistent results. Trichoscopy was noted as a useful diagnostic tool. The review concluded that no treatment has been definitively effective in stopping hairline recession or promoting regrowth, and emphasized the need for further research to understand FFA's etiology and clinical course and to develop effective treatments. Despite the trials of numerous therapies, the review suggested that the natural course of the disease might sometimes lead to stabilization without intervention.

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Research cited in this study

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