Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: New Insights and a Call for Action
October 2017
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings
”
TLDR Hair loss in black women needs more research, early intervention, and community education.
The article discusses Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), a type of hair loss that primarily affects black women. The cause of CCCA is not fully understood, but genetic inheritance, traction-inducing hairstyling practices, and hair chemicals are believed to be aggravating factors. Treatment is aimed at suppressing and preventing inflammation to slow down and stop the scarring process. The article emphasizes the importance of considering quality of life in patients with CCCA and suggests community engagement with hair stylists and beauty salons as an effective way to educate patients on the identification of scarring alopecia and promote early intervention. Future research with more patients and focusing on the genetics of CCCA may prove useful in fully understanding the etiology of the disease.
