TLDR Portraits show women's hairlines have moved forward over time, suggesting changes in the occurrence of frontal hair loss.
The study analyzed 120 female portraits from the National Portrait Gallery and The National Gallery in London, dating from 1170 CE to 2012, to investigate the historical prevalence of Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a scarring hair loss pattern. The researchers measured the forehead height from the frontal hairline to the mid-pupillary level (A) and from the chin to frontal hairline height (B), calculating an A/B ratio where a higher ratio indicated a higher hairline. Nine portraits (7.5%) were thought likely to have FFA, with the earliest case dated as 1455 CE. The study found a significant linear trend, with the forehead A/B ratio decreasing over time, indicating less evidence of frontal hair loss in later portraits. The study concluded that hairlines in female portraits have moved forward over time, which could provide insights into the natural history of FFA.
7 citations,
August 2019 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” The Mona Lisa's high forehead and sparse eyebrows might be due to a hair loss condition or Renaissance fashion trends, but the actual reason is unknown.
339 citations,
February 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Most patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia are postmenopausal women, and treatments like finasteride and dutasteride can improve or stabilize the condition.
14 citations,
August 2012 in “Clinics in Dermatology” In the Middle Ages, European noblewomen intentionally removed forehead hair to be fashionable, showing how beauty standards can affect the perception of hair loss.
166 citations,
April 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Mostly postmenopausal Caucasian women get Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, which often includes eyebrow loss and has limited treatment success.
1 citations,
July 2020 in “Benha Journal of Applied Sciences” Trichoscopy is useful for diagnosing Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.
32 citations,
November 2012 in “Aesthetic Surgery Journal” Hair restoration surgery has advanced, focusing on natural results and may improve further with new techniques and therapies.
23 citations,
November 2018 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The study concluded that severity of Frontal fibrosing alopecia is not linked to how long someone has it, can start before menopause, and eyebrow loss may be an early sign.
179 citations,
December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some postmenopausal women with frontal fibrosing alopecia stopped losing hair with finasteride treatment, hinting at a possible hormonal cause.
4 citations,
May 2013 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” Most Spanish Caucasian women have a widow's peak, and their hormone levels suggest they process certain hormones faster.
