TLDR CCCA is a common, scarring hair loss in Black women that needs early detection.
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) was identified as the most common form of scarring alopecia in women of African descent, characterized by progressive, scarring, and inflammatory hair loss that leads to permanent destruction of hair follicles. It typically began in the central scalp and spread outward. Early recognition was crucial for managing CCCA, as illustrated by cases of early and late-stage presentations in Black women aged 45 and 43, respectively.
24 citations
,
January 2020 in “JAAD Case Reports” Topical metformin helped regrow hair in two women with a hard-to-treat scarring hair loss condition.
5 citations
,
February 2019 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Certain mutations in the PADI3 gene may increase the risk of developing a type of scarring hair loss common in women of African descent.
15 citations
,
November 2012 in “International Journal of Dermatology” The conclusion is that hair loss from CCCA may be genetic and not solely caused by hair grooming practices.
22 citations
,
June 2012 in “PLOS ONE” Cholesterol-related compounds can stop hair growth and cause inflammation in a type of scarring hair loss.
18 citations
,
March 2022 in “Drug design, development and therapy” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help with various hair loss types, but more research is needed to find the best use method.
September 2025 in “Surgeries” Hair transplants can work for stable cicatricial alopecia, but success varies by condition.
September 2023 in “International journal of women’s dermatology” Certain hairstyles, diabetes, scalp infections, and vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of hair loss in Black women; more research is needed for better treatment.
May 2022 in “Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society (Print)” Women's hair loss can be due to hormonal changes and various conditions, with treatments focusing on stopping progression and managing symptoms.
