Diagnostic Assessment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a clinical entity characterized by recession of the frontotemporal hairline in middle-aged and older women. Since it was first described in 1994, more than 100 cases have been reported describing other clinical manifestations such as eyebrow and axillary alopecia, and perifollicular inflammation that help in the diagnosis of the disease and the differential diagnosis with other scarring alopecias. Histopathology reveals an inflammatory infiltrate and perifollicular lamellar fibrosis. Although numerous therapeutic options have been tested, including corticosteroids, finasteride, and minoxidil, none have shown clear benefits in terms of halting the progression of the alopecia.