Ulerythema Ophryogenes (Keratosis Pilaris Atrophicans Faciei) – Complete Information

Ulerythema Ophryogenes or Keratosis Pilaris Atrophicans Faciei is a rare, uncommon form of keratosis that causes scar-like follicular depressions and permanent loss of hair in the eyebrows.

Ulerythema means ‘scar with redness’, and ‘ophryo’ refers to the eyebrow.

Ulerythema Ophryogenes first appears in infancy and is mainly diagnosed in children and adolescents.

Ulerythema Ophryogenes is caused by abnormal keratinization of the follicular infundibulum. Scale fills the follicle and stops the hair shaft resulting in inflammation. Over time, chronic inflammation results in atrophy and alopecia.

Climate, Hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, PCOS, and puberty are some other causes.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help to reduce inflammation and slow down hair loss. The following can be useful to minimize the follicular scale.

• Cleansers: use a cleanser that is gentle and free from parabens, sulfates, and alcohol.

• Chemical exfoliation: you can use chemical exfoliating moisturizers (AHA/BHA/Urea) to help remove the surface follicular scale. You can use urea since it is moisturizing and exfoliating.

• Moisturizers: you can also use a normal moisturizer along with the chemical exfoliating moisturizer.

• Use oils: you could oils like jojoba oil and squalane to moisturize the area and reduce redness.

• Sunscreen: sunscreen is a must when dealing with Ulerythema Ophryogenes as the sun could worsen it. Mineral sunscreens would be better for Ulerythema Ophryogenes.

• Topical retinoids: retinoids like retinol, tretinoin, and isotretinoin should work.

• Hormonal imbalances: try to regulate your hormones and check if there are any changes in Ulerythema Ophryogenes.

• Lasers: lasers are another treatment that can help with scarring and redness on the eyebrows. Pulse dye laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) can help with the redness temporarily but it tends to recur. Microdermabrasion can help with roughness.

• Wear sunscreen: as the sun can worsen Ulerythema Ophryogenes, wear sunscreen everyday. SPF 50+ is good.

• Try using Niacinamide or azelaic acid: using niacinamide or azelaic acid could help reduce redness.

• Hair transplant: hair transplant is the only option for hair loss in Ulerythema Ophryogenes.

• Using a brow powder: you can use a brow powder over the area and then touch it up with an eyebrow pencil. it gives the eyebrows a more natural look.

Morning routine:

1. Cleanser
2. Apply niacinamide or azelaic acid
3. Use a chemical exfoliating moisturizer or a normal moisturizer, and
4. Then finish it off with sunscreen

Night routine:

1. Cleanser
2. Apply retinol
3. Use a chemical exfoliating moisturizer or a normal moisturizer, and
4. Finish it off with a few drops of jojoba oil+squalene oil.

Note: if you’re using tretinoin, you won’t need a chemical exfoliating moisturizer. Just use a normal moisturizer along with oils.

• Vanicream Cleanser

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

• Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Eucerin 5% Urea Repair Cream for Face

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

• Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer

• Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46