Update on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Abstract

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is an increasingly common acquired primary scarring alopecia, first described by Kossard in 1994. Clinically it is characterized by frontotemporal hairline recession, frequently accompanied by eyebrow loss. FFA was initially thought to have a hormonal origin as it was first described in postmenopausal women and premenopausal women with a history of hysterectomy or early menopause. This origin, however, has been questioned in recent years due to the publication of cases in men and premenopausal women. Although FFA has a highly characteristic clincal pattern, it is histologically similar to lichen planopilaris, and is currently believed to be a clinical variant of this condition. No clinical trials to date have investigated the efficacy of treatments for FFA. Numerous drugs, however, have been assessed in observational studies, and the best results to date have been reported for 5-αreductase inhibitors and intralesional corticosteroids, followed by antimalarials and calcineurin inhibitors. In this article, we review the latest data on the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of FFA.