It is believed to be localised form of Lichen Planopilaris. Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a patterned primary cicatricial alopecia that was first described in 1994. pathogenesis is characterized by immune-mediated follicular destruction at the level of the hair bulge, which leads to a clinical phenotype of progressive frontotemporal hair and eye- brow loss that is often preceded by widespread body-hair Diagnosis requires two major criteria or one major and two minor criteria. The affected follicles may have typical biologic markers that could explain the clinical and histologic features found in the disease. Since the original description, an increasing number of cases have been reported … This type of alopecia primarily affects the hairline and presents in a manner reminiscent of a hairline receding backwards. What is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia? rare disease research! Sometimes, frontal fibrosing alopecia accompanies other forms of hair loss, including female pattern baldness and traction alopecia. We think that women who have undergone hysterectomies or experienced early menopause may be more susceptible to FFA, but the exact causes have not yet been proven. Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov (link is external) This happens due to inflammation and destruction of the hair follicles. Dermoscopy reveals absent follicles, white dots, tubular perifollicular scale, and perifollicular erythema. Once rare, the incidence of FFA has increased dramatically, representing the current most common cause of cicatricial alopecia worldwide. » Frontal fibrosing alopecia has been considered a variant of lichen planopilaris due to the resemblance on histology and an association with various forms of lichen planus, but there are also many differences that raise doubts. Link here. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Get to the bottom of hair loss. This is why FFA often affects post … What is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)? Frontal fibrosing alopecia: possible association with leave-on facial skin care products and sunscreens; a questionnaire study. Postmenopausal auftretende, umschriebene, bandförmige, symmetrische, fibrosierende Form der narbigen Alopezie (irreversibel) im frontotemporalen Haaransatz bei Frauen. Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a relatively newly described scarring alopecia known as a clinical variant of lichen planopilaris (LPP; Kossard et al., 1997). I haven’t heard of this before and I just read an advertorial that mentions that it is a cause of hair loss in women. FFA is characterized by slowly progressive scarring alopecia on the hairline and affects explicitly postmenopausal women. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) is a patterned form of scarring hair loss that occurs along the frontal hair margin. itch or pain preceding or concurrently at sites of involvement. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a form of alopecia (hair loss) that affects the area where the hairline meets the front of the scalp. Pirmez R, Barreto T, Duque-Estrada B, Quintella DC, Cuzzi T. Histopathology of facial papules in frontal fibrosing alopecia and therapeutic response to oral isotretinoin. A clinical diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) was made. It’s a condition where a woman’s hairline presents a band-like pattern of hair loss on the sides and front of the scalp. Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia that affects women to a greater extent than men. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a type of hair loss occurring in a band-like distribution on the front part of your hair. Typically they present at a younger age, often in their early 40s before menopause. Author: Dr Darshan Singh MBChB, Registrar, Department of Dermatology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2001. The cause remains unknown although hormonal and immune-based mechanisms are clearly relevant. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. This brief article will focus on the diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and how it differs clinically and histologically from the most common type of hair loss in women, androgenetic alopecia (AGA; also known as androgenic alopecia or female-pattern hair loss). 2019;81(2):568-80. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.03.079. Usually, frontal fibrosing alopecia is slowly progressive although it seems to be self-limiting in most cases after several years. CONCLUSION: Patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia typically present with frontotemporal and eyebrow alopecia with preceding symptoms. FFA is characterized by slowly progressive scarring alopecia on the hairline and affects explicitly postmenopausal women. Genetic, hormonal, autoimmune, inflammatory, and environmental factors have postulated roles in the pathogenesis of frontal fibrosing alopecia. Link here. Frontal fibrosing alopecia symptoms typically include the recession of the hairline as well as the loss of eyebrows. Note the zone of unsundamaged skin Frontal fibrosing alopecia usually presents as a uniform linear band of hair loss along the front and sides of the scalp hair margin, resulting in a receding frontal hair line. One month into therapy, pruritus had resolved and facial papules had notably decreased in size and number. In men, loss of beard and sideburns is described and may be the only site of involvement. Madarosis due to frontal fibrosing alopecia It can also affect areas around the ears, and can cause hair loss from the eyebrows as well.. Evidence suggests that timely and effective management can prevent the permanent loss of hair. Hair grafting may be considered once disease activity has settled. Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Patients who consult Sussex Trichology with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia condition, while possibly unaware of the condition title, would complain that the front (and sometimes rear) hairline is “going back” they describe that “more forehead is visible” also that the skin “appears shiny under bright light” or perhaps that their hairdresser has pointed this out. Note the perifollicular inflammation, Madarosis in frontal fibrosing alopecia There may also be some redness or scales around the hair follicles, which can also lead to scarring. Frontal fibrosing alopecia, also known as FFA, causes hair loss which usually appears at the front of the head. Although the typical patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia was described as a Caucasian post-menopausal woman over the age of 50, younger women, men, and children, and all ethnic groups including Asians, Hispanics, and those of African descent can be affected. Alopecia of the eyebrows is frequently associated, and axillary, pubic, facial, and hairy lesions of the limbs could be involved. How can we make GARD better? In addition, 10 mg/d of isotretinoin was also prescribed for the treatment of facial papules. Eyebrow thinning or loss (madarosis) often precedes the scalp changes.