Eyelash involvement in frontal fibrosing alopecia: a prospective study

Supplementary files for JAAD manuscript number JAAD-D-21-00664R1 (Eyelash involvement in frontal fibrosing alopecia: a prospective study). Background: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) can affect any hair on the body. There is limited data regarding eyelash involvement and their clinical-trichoscopic characteristics in FFA haven’t been described to date. Objective: To evaluate clinical and trichoscopic involvement of the eyelashes in FFA patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted an analytical prospective cross-sectional study that included 50 patients with FFA. Standardized clinical photos were taken and trichoscopy of the upper and lower eyelashes was performed with a Fotofinder videodermatoscope. Results: Clinically perceptible involvement was observed in 34% of the patients and trichoscopic signs in 64%. Dystrophic hairs (75%), visualization of hair bulbs (50%), black dots (50%) and ingrown hairs (46,9%) were the most frequent trichoscopic findings. Limitations: The small sample size and absence of a control group. Conclusion: Trichoscopy of the eyelashes showed findings reported in scarring and non-scarring alopecias. Dystrophic hairs were the most frequent trichoscopic finding, followed by visualization of hair bulbs, black dots and ingrown hairs. Clinical involvement was perceptible in only half of the patients with trichoscopic findings. Thus this method could be useful for early detection of eyelash involvement.