Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia in Black Men: A Case Series Highlighting Key Clinical Features

May 2023 in “ JAAD Case Reports ”

Janet E. Lubov, Uchenna Okereke, Benjamin Clapp, Jennifer P. Toyohara, Dolly Taiwò, Efe Kakpovbia, Kristen Lo Sicco, Prince Adotama

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia CCCA androgenetic alopecia AGA vertex scalp trichoscopic findings histopathologic findings high-tension hairstyling inflammation hairline

TLDR The document concludes that early and accurate diagnosis of hair loss on the top of the scalp in Black men is important to distinguish CCCA from other types of hair loss.

The document is a case series of three Black men diagnosed with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), a common form of hair loss in Black patients. The study emphasizes the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of CCCA, as it is often misdiagnosed as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The patients presented with hair loss on the vertex scalp, and were diagnosed with CCCA based on clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathologic findings. The study suggests that high-tension hairstyling practices may potentially propagate inflammation and progression of the disease. It also highlights a key clinical feature of male CCCA, which is thinning on the vertex scalp with relative maintenance of the hairline. This can help differentiate CCCA from AGA in Black men. The authors call for more research to explore the clinical characteristics of CCCA and diagnostic outcomes in Black men.

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Research cited in this study

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Differentiating Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia And Androgenetic Alopecia In African American Men: Report Of Three Cases

research Differentiating Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia And Androgenetic Alopecia In African American Men: Report Of Three Cases

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The document concludes that central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) should be considered in African American men with vertex hair loss and scalp symptoms, and that prompt diagnosis and treatment can slow disease progression.

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