Initially, Hong's eyebrows began thinning at the tails before becoming sparse and almost completely disappearing. The skin on her forehead appeared slightly red or pale, felt tight, and occasionally itchy. Doctor Nguyen Thi Viet Ha, a First Degree Specialist in Dermatology at Tam Anh Cau Giay General Clinic, concluded that Hong's eyebrow damage was not merely due to plucking but suggested an underlying medical condition causing scarring hair loss.

Doctors diagnosed Hong with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a condition frequently observed in women. This disease involves inflammation around hair follicles, leading to follicle damage and permanent hair loss if not treated promptly. FFA not only affects the hairline at the front of the forehead but can also manifest early as eyebrow loss.

Patients typically notice only thinning eyebrows, while skin damage remains subtle. As the disease progresses, the hairline may gradually recede, accompanied by hair loss on the forehead and temples. Once hair follicles are damaged and replaced by fibrous tissue, natural hair regrowth in those areas becomes difficult.

Hong's eyebrows are falling out, and she is losing hair on her forehead and temples. Photo: Tam Anh Cau Giay General Clinic

Doctors prescribed Hong anti-inflammatory medication and corticosteroids to control inflammation and prevent further progression of the disease. After 4 weeks, her condition stabilized: the skin around her eyebrows showed reduced redness and irritation, with no new lesions appearing. Her eyebrow loss improved, and some hairs began to regrow. Doctors continued laser treatment for Hong to enhance skin pigmentation, aiming for a more harmonious eyebrow area.

Doctor Ha emphasized the importance of distinguishing frontal fibrosing alopecia from other hair loss conditions, such as alopecia areata, seborrheic dermatitis, cosmetic contact dermatitis, fungal skin infection, thyroid disease, or certain nutritional disorders. In addition to a clinical examination, doctors may use a dermoscope to observe characteristics around hair follicles and damaged skin, and perform a skin biopsy if necessary.

Individuals who experience sudden rapid eyebrow thinning, patchy loss, tail loss, or hair loss accompanied by skin changes should seek dermatological examination promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment. Patients should avoid self-treating with hair growth serums or continuing to pluck, tattoo, or microblade their eyebrows before the underlying cause is identified. Such measures can further irritate already damaged skin and complicate the diagnostic process.