Highlighting the Link Between Lichen Planus Pigmentosus and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

March 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 3 | 196 | Copyright © March 2024


Published online February 21, 2024

Sara Abdel Azim MSa,b, Cleo Whiting BAa, Adam Friedman MD FAADa

aDepartment of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
bGeorgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC

Clinical Considerations
FFA and LPPigm are difficult to treat and can be distressing for patients, especially when coexisting. The loss of follicular ostia in FFA is irreversible, and thus dermatologists need to diagnose and treat it early. Clinicians should be aware of the overlap between FFA and LPPigm and examine patients with LPPigm for FFA and vice versa, especially in patients with darker skin tones.10 As LPPigm frequently precedes FFA, its presence may serve as an early indicator of FFA onset and should prompt further evaluation. When coupled with other severity indicators of FFA, such as facial papules and the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, concurrent LPPigm can be regarded as an adverse prognostic factor.5 

Disclosure
SAA's work is funded through independent fellowship grants from Lilly and Pfizer; CW's work is funded through an independent fellowship grant from Galderma.
 

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AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Adam Friedman MD FAAD ajfriedman@mfa.gwu.edu