Prospective Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Assess the Efficacy of Intralesional Corticoid on the Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia, that was first described in postmenopausal women, by Kossard in 1994. Since then, FFA has also been reported in premenopausal women and rarely in men.

The exact cause of FFA is unknown. One possible reason can be the disturbed immune response to some component of the scalp hair follicles, however, whether or not the hair loss is caused by hormonal fluctuations is under question. Some authors, consider that FFA is a variant of liquen planopilaris (LPP). Whether FFA is truly an LPP variant or is a distinct entity with shared clinical features remains to be determined. FFA was also diagnosed in family members (mother and daughter) suggesting a possible genetic contribution.

Clinically, it is characterized by progressive frontal and temporoparietal recession of the hairline due to inflammatory destruction of hair follicles. Hair loss occurs in a band-like distribution and the depth of recession can be from 0,5-8 cm. Often, a small number of isolated hairs are spared within the band of alopecia.

Loss of eyebrows (partial or complete) is a finding in FFA and in some cases, can precede the hairline recession. The affected skin is atrophic, shiny, and often lighter than the chronically sun-exposed forehead skin.

The diagnosis of FFA is usually made on the basis of clinical findings, and laboratory tests are rarely required. Dermoscopy, a noninvasive tool can help for the diagnosis of FFA; The dermoscopic features of FFA are: Absence of follicular openings, perifollicular scale, and a feeble perifollicular erythema. Perifollicular erythema at the receding hairline may be a sign of active disease.