Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
July 2018
frontal fibrosing alopecia scarring alopecia postmenopausal women frontotemporal hairline recession eyebrow loss eyelash involvement body hair involvement non-inflammatory facial papules autoimmune factors hormonal factors trichoscopy 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors finasteride topical immunomodulators pimecrolimus FFA Propecia Elidel
TLDR Early diagnosis and treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia are crucial to prevent permanent hair loss.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) was a scarring alopecia primarily affecting postmenopausal women, with a mean onset age of 56 years. It involved progressive frontotemporal hairline recession and eyebrow loss, with severe cases showing eyelash or body hair involvement and non-inflammatory facial papules. The pathogenesis was unclear but likely involved autoimmune and hormonal factors. Diagnosis relied on clinical patterns and trichoscopy. No established therapy existed, but 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and topical immunomodulators like pimecrolimus showed effectiveness. Early diagnosis and treatment were crucial to prevent permanent hair loss and psychological effects.
