179 Eyebrow Hair Transplantation in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Warning About the Short- and Long-Term Results

Abstract

Eyebrow hair loss is usually a primary feature of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) that causes significant distress to patients who consequently seek medical help. Eyebrow hair transplantation is a well-accepted and aesthetically successful treatment option for hair loss of the eyebrows, but there is a lack of information about the short- and long-term results in this subset of patients. We report the short- and long-term results of eyebrow hair transplantation in patients with FFA. 10 patients diagnosed with FFA underwent eyebrow hair transplantation. The transplanted hairs were harvested from occipital scalp skin using the standard hair transplant technique. On average, 120-270 single-hair follicular units (FUs) were implanted per eyebrow. 80% of patients achieved excellent hair growth at 6-12 months follow up and satisfactory short-term results (< 2 years). However, the long-term results were not so satisfactory, and the majority of patients started losing the transplanted hairs after 3-4 years. Only 1 patient had not lost transplanted hair in the long-term follow up (>4 years). In conclusion, the results of eyebrow hair transplantation in FFA patients are variable, with both negative and positive outcomes. In general, the short-term outcome is satisfactory, but in most patients a progressive loss of transplanted hairs can be expected. It is important to follow up long-term results as short-term graft survival success does not guarantee the permanent survival and growth of the transplanted hair. Therefore, FFA patients inquiring about eyebrow transplantation should be advised about the high possibility of hair graft loss over time.