Oral Isotretinoin as the Most Effective Treatment in Folliculitis Decalvans: A Retrospective Comparison of Different Treatment Regimens in 28 Patients

The study retrospectively compared the efficacy of different treatment regimens in 28 patients with folliculitis decalvans, a condition leading to scarring alopecia. The treatments analyzed included clindamycin and rifampicin, clarithromycin, dapsone, and isotretinoin. Clindamycin and rifampicin had the lowest success rate, with 80% of patients relapsing shortly after treatment. Clarithromycin and dapsone had better outcomes, with long-term remission rates of 33% and 43%, respectively. Isotretinoin was the most effective, achieving stable remission in 90% of patients during and up to two years post-treatment. The study concluded that the common use of antibiotics as first-line therapy should be reconsidered, and oral isotretinoin should be considered a valid alternative.