Comparing the clinical differences in white and black women with frontal fibrosing alopecia

Updates on disorders in curly hair

Hair disorders, including central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), traction alopecia (TA), and acquired trichorrhexis nodosa (ATN), commonly occur in individuals with curly textured hair. Curly textured hair in individuals of African descent has unique properties and can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. CCCA has been linked to uterine leiomyoma and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as fibroproliferation. TA often presents with a fringe sign and can arise from high-tension hairstyles presumed to be protective. Trichoscopy is useful in establishing a diagnosis; perifollicular halos are more commonly seen than perifollicular erythema or scale in CCCA. In TA, miniaturized follicles, hair casts, and "flambeau sign" can be seen. Hairstyling practices likely contribute to TA and ATN; however, the data are mixed on the role of chemical relaxers and heat styling in CCCA. Unique considerations in the presentation of frontal fibrosing alopecia in curly textured hair have also been published recently. This review provides a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of these disorders with an emphasis on their unique properties, as well as considerations in hair care for curly textured hair.

Scarring Alopecia

African hair shaft and pigmented scalp have unique features that challenge diagnosis in scarring alopecia. In addition, Black patients may associate 2 or more types of hair disorders. Therefore, it is imperative to understand their findings thoroughly to establish a good diagnosis. Differential diagnosis on the frontal scalp includes traction alopecia and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Disorders such as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lichen planopilaris usually affect the middle scalp. Folliculitis decalvans, dissecting cellulitis, and acne keloidalis nuchae are the main differential diagnosis of the posterior scalp.

Eyebrow and Eyelash Alopecia: A Clinical Review

Madarosis is characterized by either complete or partial loss of eyebrow or eyelash hair. Etiologies for madarosis are varied, and accurate diagnosis is the first step in clinical management. Many studies have described findings related to specific causes of madarosis, but few have summarized the collective literature. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated overview on the symptomatology, diagnosis, trichoscopy findings, and treatment of eyebrow and eyelash alopecia.