TLDR Low-dose oral isotretinoin improved hair loss and facial bumps in patients with a specific type of hair loss.
In a 2020 case series, three patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) were treated with low-dose oral isotretinoin, resulting in hair loss stability and significant improvement in facial papules. The patients, aged 28, 42, and 65, had not responded to previous treatments. Following isotretinoin treatment, all experienced decreased hair shedding, improved scalp scores, and a reduction in facial papules. The study suggested that low-dose isotretinoin could be effective for managing FFA symptoms, but recommended further research to confirm its efficacy and determine appropriate dosing.
Cited in this study
5 / 5 results
32 citations
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October 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Oral isotretinoin effectively treats yellow facial papules in frontal fibrosing alopecia patients.
26 citations
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October 2017 in “PubMed” Isotretinoin and acitretin may effectively stabilize the hairline in patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia.
16 citations
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November 2014 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Oral retinoids may help some patients with hard-to-treat lichen planopilaris, but more research is needed.
155 citations
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January 2009 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” FFA is more common in postmenopausal women, can affect younger women, and may stabilize over time.
123 citations
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August 2005 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The study found that Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia affects a broader age range of women and early treatment can help stop hair loss.
July 2023 in “IntechOpen eBooks” The best treatment for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Lichen Planopilaris combines oral and topical medications to reduce symptoms and stop hair loss.
9 citations
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August 2019 in “Dermatologic therapy” Alitretinoin can effectively treat frontal fibrosing alopecia.
