Clinical Factors and Hair Care Practices Influencing Outcomes in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

In a retrospective chart review of 100 patients with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), 50% remained stable, 36% improved, and 14% worsened after one year of treatment. Better outcomes were associated with not having a history of thyroid disease, using metformin for diabetes, using hooded dryers, wearing natural hairstyles, and having no other physical signs besides alopecia. Worsening was linked to the presence of scaling or pustules. The study suggests that clinical characteristics, concurrent medical conditions, and hair care practices influence CCCA treatment outcomes. Despite limitations such as its retrospective design, small sample size, and potential observer bias, the study, supported by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and with no conflicts of interest reported except for one author, is the most extensive on CCCA treatment outcomes to date. Future research with larger sample sizes and blinded investigators is recommended.