Are Sunscreen Particles Involved in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia? A TEM-EDXS Analysis on Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Alopecia Biopsies (Pilot Study)

    September 2022 in “ ˜The œAmerican journal of dermatopathology/American journal of dermatopathology ”
    Rachel Abuav, Wonwoo Shon
    Image of study
    TLDR Sunscreen particles were not found in inflamed or fibrotic areas of skin in FFA patients, suggesting no direct link to the disease.
    This pilot study investigated the potential link between the use of mineral-based sunscreens and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA), a form of hair loss. The study examined skin biopsy specimens from 2 patients with FFA who regularly used sunscreen. The researchers looked for the presence of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), common ingredients in sunscreens, within the hair follicle units and surrounding tissue. The results showed no significant penetration of these sunscreen particles in the areas of active inflammation and fibrosis. This suggests that there may not be a direct link between sunscreen usage and FFA. However, the study acknowledges that the small sample size limits the conclusiveness of the findings and that larger studies are needed. The researchers also note that FFA is likely a complex, multifactorial disease and caution against avoiding sunscreen use without conclusive evidence of its role in FFA.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 393 results

      community Diffuse thinning is so brutal.

      in Styling  72 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 25-year-old with AGA experienced hair thinning and dandruff, stabilized with topical finasteride and minoxidil but saw minimal regrowth. They seek advice on styling and consider oral minoxidil and microneedling for denser hair.
      Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      in Research  692 upvotes 4 months ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

      community 9 months on Fin - no progress , should I get on Dutasteride?

      in Chat  10 upvotes 1 month ago
      The user has been using finasteride, minoxidil, and nizoral for hair loss but hasn't seen regrowth, only maintenance. They are considering switching to dutasteride, which is believed to be more effective, but are concerned about potential side effects.

      community Testosterone and hair loss seeming irrelevance

      in Research/Science  81 upvotes 1 year ago
      The conversation is about the role of testosterone in hair loss and the effectiveness of different treatments. The conclusion is that DHT is the main culprit for hair loss, and finasteride has been proven to work long-term in maintaining and regrowing hair. Testosterone may have a minor effect, but it is not the primary cause of hair loss.

      community scarring alopecia awareness in this community

      in Chat  33 upvotes 2 years ago
      Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a form of permanent hair loss, which can be mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis and is characterized by scalp itching, burning, redness, and dandruff. Treatment options discussed include steroidal creams, finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841.

    Related Research

    7 / 7 results