Diagnostic Clues to Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Patients of African Descent

Importance: Frontal fibrosing alopecia has previously been reported as rare among patients of African descent. The authors present 18 cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia affecting African American patients and review all published cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia involving patients of African descent. Observations: Since 2010, there have been 66 published cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia among patients of African descent; 59 women, five men, and two cases of unknown gender. Frontal fibrosing alopecia is not uncommon among patients of African descent. In this study, the authors find that female African American patients may have fewer symptoms and unique clinical presentations. Conclusion and relevance: Frontal fibrosing alopecia is an entity that can be seen in patients with many different ethnic backgrounds, often with varying presentations. The diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia must be considered in any patient of African descent who presents with frontotemporal alopecia. In the authors' patient population, there was a younger age of presentation. The presence of perifollicular hyperpigmentation along the hairline and concomitant facial hyperpigmentation may aid in making the diagnosis and distinguishing this entity from traction alopecia.