Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Treatment with Oral Dutasteride and Topical Pimecrolimus

August 2008 in “ Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Alexander C. Katoulis, S. Georgala, E. Bozi, Evangelia Papadavid, Dimitris Kalogeromitros, Nikolaos Stavrianeas

frontal fibrosing alopecia oral dutasteride pimecrolimus calcineurin inhibitor FFA Avodart Elidel

Studysummary Oral dutasteride and topical pimecrolimus can safely and effectively treat Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, leading to significant hair regrowth. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In 2009, a 55-year-old woman with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) was treated with 0.5 mg of oral dutasteride daily for 6 months and pimecrolimus 1% cream twice daily for 3 months. The treatment resulted in significant hair regrowth in the eyebrows and axillae, and moderate improvement in the scalp. The only side effect reported was constipation. No recurrences were observed 6 months post-treatment. The study concluded that combining oral dutasteride with a topical calcineurin inhibitor could be a safe and effective treatment for FFA.

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research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Assessment

54 citations , November 2007 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas”

Early diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia is crucial to prevent permanent hair loss.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that dutasteride increased scalp hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss, particularly at a 2.5 mg dose, and was more effective than finasteride over 24 weeks.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Versus Lichen Planopilaris: A Clinicopathological Study

126 citations , April 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris have similar histopathological features, but FFA exhibits more prominent apoptosis and less inflammation with spared interfollicular epidermis.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Survey in 16 Patients

123 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, the researchers observed that treatment with intralesional and topical corticosteroids, finasteride, and minoxidil may stop the progression of frontal fibrosing alopecia in postmenopausal and premenopausal women.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Postmenopausal Women

179 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that frontal fibrosing alopecia in postmenopausal women involves selective follicular inflammation, and finasteride treatment may slow disease progression, suggesting a potential androgen-related component.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Associated with Cutaneous Lichen Planus in a Premenopausal Woman

89 citations , February 2002 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

This case report describes the first known instance of fibrosing alopecia associated with cutaneous lichen planus, suggesting fibrosing alopecia may be a variant of lichen planopilaris.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

158 citations , February 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

This study reports that some patients with androgenetic alopecia may also exhibit clinical and histological features of inflammation and fibrosis, similar to those found in lichen planopilaris.

research Postmenopausal Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Frontal Variant of Lichen Planopilaris

329 citations , January 1997 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reports that progressive frontal fibrosing alopecia, a distinct and gradually stabilizing form of lichen planopilaris affecting elderly women and often involving eyebrow hair loss, lacks effective treatments.

research Postmenopausal Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

325 citations , June 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study observed that progressive frontal recession in postmenopausal women may exhibit features of fibrosing alopecia, suggesting a distinct reaction pattern from typical lichen planopilaris.