Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A New Association with Lichen Sclerosus in Men

• Published in: The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology Vol. 14; no. 9; pp. 54 - 58
• Main Authors: Rossi, Alfredo, Tadiotto Cicogna, Giulia, Caro, Gemma, Fortuna, Maria Caterina, Magri, Francesca, Grassi, Sara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Matrix Medical Communications 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Case Series; trichoscopy; scarring alopecia; comorbidities; male sex; Frontal fibrosing alopecia; lichen sclerosus
• ISSN: 1941-2789; 2689-9175

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia that has been reported mostly in postmenopausal women and is characterized by frontotemporal hairline. Currently, there are only a few reports about FFA in male patients. This study sought to analyze clinical and trichoscopic features of FFA in a case series of men and to describe the main features of FFA in male patients through a review of the literature. Male patients with clinical and trichoscopical signs of FFA, histologically confirmed, who attended to our clinic from 2014 to 2019 were included in our study. From each patient, clinical and trichoscopic data were collected. Eight men with an average age of 59 years were recruited. In five patients, serrated hairline recession (i.e., a "zig-zag" pattern) was present, while three presented with linear hairline recession. Also, the eyebrows (n=3 patients), sideburns (n=2 patients), and beard (n=2 patients) were involved. Surprisingly, in two patients, an association with lichen sclerosus (LS) was present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a serrated hairline recession pattern in male patients with FFA. A new association between FFA and LS in men was also found. Further studies need to establish the extent of this association and facilitate a better comprehension of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these two diseases.