Sunscreen and frontal fibrosing alopecia: A review

Authors

Gabrielle Robinson, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Amy McMichael
Steve Q. Wang
Henry W. Lim, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Robinson G, McMichael A, Wang SQ, and Lim HW. Sunscreen and frontal fibrosing alopecia: A review. J Am Acad Dermatol 2020; 82(3):723-728.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2020

Publication Title

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a cicatricial alopecia of unknown etiology. The incidence of FFA appears to be increasing with time, leading to suspicion of a possible environmental trigger. Observational studies have reported a positive correlation between facial sunscreen use and FFA. This finding raises the question of whether sunscreen use plays a role in disease development. In this article, we review the available literature on the association of sunscreen with FFA. There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct causal relationship between sunscreen and FFA. Further studies are required to better characterize the role of sunscreen and the environment in the pathogenesis of this unique disease.

PubMed ID

31654665

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

82

Issue

3

First Page

723

Last Page

728