Please reply if you have used sunblock prior to FFA diagnosis. Having an aha moment!

Gang,

1) I believe that we with FFA have some sort of genetic tendency that is within the autoimmune spectrum.(I was diagnosed 1/2016. I am 50 and when I was 18 started with Raynaud's disease, another autoimmune issue. As well, my autoimmune labs are positive as noted when checked once Raynaud's was realized.)

2) I have strong reason to believe that I am reacting to SPF on other parts of my body (CHEMICAL, not zinc or titanium-based, which I have just learned is truly the only safe type.)

3) Further, this has made me think that my extremely regular use of a product with chemical SPF on my face every single day for over a decade, along with my genetic tendency, has caused my FFA. 

If you would, could you let me know if you have used a non-zinc or titanium SPF product on your face for a period of time at least before diagnosis? Apparently there has been talk of this being a cause of FFA but then it was "poo-poo'd", but I think there is something to it!!!! 

Thanks,

Jamie

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/6-scary-sunscreen-ingredients...

https://wellnessmama.com/55366/sunscreen-is-harmful/

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jess on February 12, 2018 at 3:53am

Hey Pauliegirl,

I was going over recent research and came across this article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ced.13273/full

It basically says that various types of sunscreens are used in a lot of leave-in hair products and color-protectant shampoos and conditioners. They reason that this could explain why FFA leads to hair receding well past the frontal hairline in some cases.

Benzyl Salicylate, one of the common sunscreen ingredients they cite, is often listed as "fragrance." I checked the products I use and all of them list "fragrance," which could mean any number of ingredients, including benzyl salicylate.

I'm pretty frustrated by this, since I already stopped using sunscreen and changed my foundation and moisturizer. I just want answers! Just tell me what I need to do!! Ugh. I'm sure all of us feel this way.

Permalink Reply by Plf on February 12, 2018 at 8:02pm

Hi all, I too have been a vigilant user of sunscreen both in make up and general sunscreen for the body, have now gone out and bought one from the health food shop that is a zinc based one. In the last week I have noticed my skin is developing small bumps on my forehead I'm hoping it is in response to an over zealous application of castor oil, and not the dreaded facial papules associated with ffa. Christy Q I am also interested to know if the dutesteride has helped or you have had any sideffects., thanks again all for sharing of information

Permalink Reply by Christi Q. on February 13, 2018 at 4:06pm

I really thought the Dutasteride was helping.  I went all year without losing much more that I originally had.  I also believe in Rogaine.  I had to go to the emergency room about a month or so ago during a very stressful time and I remember panicking at the time that I was going to lose a lot of hair because it was so stressful.  Sure enough.....one month later, I'm having the worse loss EVER!  Bottom line ladies....stay as stress free as possible!!!

Permalink Reply by Overthis2018 on December 6, 2018 at 5:31am
  • I just recently found this case study.  A woman with FFa had total regrowth after stopping sunscreen on her forehead.  I have noticed over the past decade or so that it is becoming harder and harder to find facial moisturizer without sunscreen.  I used oil of olay through my teens and early 20s but started using different ones sometime in the past 6 years because the oil of olay didn't seem to work anymore.  So I have been using spf daily.  I also started using bb creams that all have spf. I can't remember exactly when I switched products and started the bb cream.  But it was around 1-2 years before my hair loss started.  This PDF is available on research gate. Titled "Frontal fibrosing alopecia: Regrowth following cessation of sunscreen on the forehead". Idk
    why I can't post a link here.  This site is very hard to use on my cell phone Cranwell_et_al-2018-Australasian_Journal_of_Dermatology.pdfScreenshot_20181206-024705.pngScreenshot_20181206-024723.png
Permalink Reply by ladydi on December 12, 2018 at 5:51pm

I use sun screen everyday on my face and have for years. could this be contributing to my FFA? This is very interesting ....

Permalink Reply by Overthis2018 on December 15, 2018 at 2:09pm

It *could* be Ladydi. This lady only stopped using it on her forehead. If you spend a lot of time in the sun I suggest a hat to protect your skin.  It's worth a shot.  Be aware that most makeup foundations also contain sunscreen.  I had to throw away all my foundations.  

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