Is Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Connected to Sunscreen Usage?

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) has been increasingly associated with sunscreen use, as observed in various international studies. In the UK, women using sunscreen at least twice weekly were found to have twice the likelihood of developing FFA compared to non-regular users. Similar associations were found in Spain and Thailand, with odds ratios indicating a higher likelihood of FFA among sunscreen users. However, a Brazilian study found no such connection, instead linking FFA to hair straightening and facial products. An international review of 1,248 FFA patients and 1,459 controls showed sunscreen users were 2.21 times more likely to develop FFA. The lack of data from the United States highlights the need for further research to understand regional differences in FFA risk related to sunscreen use. Dermatologists are advised to recommend noncomedogenic mineral sunscreens and emphasize additional sun-protection methods.