To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), addressing the need for effective therapies.
Key Findings:
53.3% of patients showed stabilization in hairline recession and scarring, indicating potential effectiveness.
20% experienced improvement, while 26.7% had progression of alopecia, highlighting variability in response.
83.3% showed one-grade improvement in erythema score after 6 months, suggesting positive treatment effects.
70% showed one-grade improvement in perifollicular hyperkeratosis score, indicating a reduction in inflammation.
Transient erythema was the only reported adverse effect, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Interpretation:
The 308-nm excimer laser may be a promising therapeutic option for FFA with a good safety profile as an adjuvant treatment, warranting further investigation.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias, potentially affecting the reliability of results.
Small sample size limits generalizability, necessitating larger studies for validation.
No control group for comparison, which may limit the strength of conclusions drawn.
Conclusion:
The excimer 308-nm laser could be considered an effective adjuvant treatment for FFA in patients with inadequate response to existing therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and systemic treatments.
