Can Sunscreen Cause Hair Loss?

Potential link between Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia & Sunscreen

New research from the United Kingdom suggests that topical sunscreens may be causing hair loss among patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). Patients were recruited from two sites in the UK, including general dermatology clinics and hair specialty clinics. 105 women with FFA and 100 age- and sex-matched controls each filled out questionnaires related to lifestyle, social, and medical factors. Facial moisturizers were used more often in the FFA group (93%) vs. controls (85%) but this difference was not statistically significant. Foundations were also used more frequently but again the difference was not significant.The most interesting was the fact that dedicated sunscreen use among FFA patients was twice the rate of controls: 48% of patients using sunscreen at least twice a week vs. 24% for controls, (p<.001). The study made no mention about the type of sunscreen ingredients used (chemical vs. physical blockers). But it did point out that the first cases of FFA were described in Australia where the “Slip-Slop-Slap” sunscreen campaign had been launched in 1981.

The aim of this research was to identify a putative environmental exposure that has only been around for the last 30 years or so, to possibly explain the increase in FFA prevalence since it was first described in 1994. Although association between sunscreen use and FFA does not necessarily imply causation, these results do leave us in a quandary. On the one hand, we know that liberal sunscreen use can prevent skin cancer. On the other hand, the surprising and precarious implications of this study are that persons with FFA must potentially choose between keeping their hair and developing skin cancer. For now, we can only encourage people to wear hats and stay indoors during the peak hours of sun exposure. Hopefully more studies will shed light on the truth of this association / causation.

Citation:
Aldoori N, Dobson K, Holden CR, McDonagh AJ, Harries M, Messenger AG. Frontal fibrosing alopecia-possible association with leave-on facial skin care products and suncreens; a questionnaire study. Br J Dermatol. 2016 Mar 14. doi: 10.1111/bjd.14535. [Epub ahead of print]