Therapeutic Response of Facial Papules and Inflammation in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia to Low-Dose Oral Isotretinoin

April 2020

Christine T.N. Pham, Anna-Marie Hosking, Surget V. Cox, Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska

frontal fibrosing alopecia FFA isotretinoin hair loss facial papules scalp scores Accutane

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.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Efficacy of Isotretinoin and Acitretin in Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Retrospective Analysis of 54 Cases

26 citations, October 2017 in “PubMed”

Isotretinoin and acitretin may effectively stabilize the hairline in patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia.

research Yellow Facial Papules Associated With Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Distinct Histologic Pattern and Response to Isotretinoin

32 citations, September 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral isotretinoin effectively treats yellow facial papules in frontal fibrosing alopecia patients.

research Efficacy of Oral Retinoids in Treatment-Resistant Lichen Planopilaris

16 citations, October 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.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Clinical Presentations and Prognosis

155 citations, September 2008 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.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Survey in 16 Patients

123 citations, 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.

research Primary Cicatricial Alopecias: Clinicopathology of 112 Cases

254 citations, December 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Accurate diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial to prevent permanent hair loss in cicatricial alopecia.

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