Trichoscopy of Early Frontal Fibrosing ALopecia (FFA)

Trichoscopy of Early Frontal Fibrosing ALopecia: Look for Loss of the Tiny Vellus Hairs

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia which can affect both females and males. Females, however, are more commonly affected. The disease causes hair loss along the frontal hairline as well as the sideburns, sides of the scalp and back of the scalp. Loss of eyebrow hair is common and sometimes is even the very first sign of the disease. Eyelashes, body hair can all be affected. In males, beard hair loss is extremely common.

The diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) can be challenging when the disease is in its earliest stage. Loss of the tiny vellus hairs is one helpful sign & helps differentiate FFA from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) where miniaturizing & vellus hairs are typically seen.