That moment in the mirror—when you notice your part is a little wider than it was last month, or you feel a subtle, tender pain on your crown when you style your hair. It’s a sinking feeling. You might push it aside and think that it’s just stress or a need for a new product. But deep down, you know it’s different.
If this is your story, you are not alone. What you’re experiencing has a name: Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). It’s a type of scarring hair loss that almost exclusively affects Black women, and for far too long, we’ve been told half-truths and blamed for our own hair loss.
It’s time to change that narrative. Let’s talk honestly about what CCCA is, how to spot it and the real, medical-grade solutions that can help you stop the progression right away.
What Is Really Happening with CCCA?
Let's break down that intimidating name:
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Central: It starts at the crown of your head.
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Centrifugal: It slowly spreads outward from that center point.
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Cicatricial: This is the keyword. It means scarring. This isn't just hair taking a break; the actual follicles are being destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.
For years, the blame was placed squarely on us—our braids, our weaves, our heat. But the latest science tells a more complex story. While aggressive styling can worsen it, the root cause for many women is often a genetic predisposition that creates a perfect storm of inflammation under the scalp. Your body’s immune system essentially gets confused and starts attacking its own hair follicles.
This is why just "being gentle" with your hair often isn't enough to stop CCCA. You have to calm the internal fire.
The Signs You Can't Afford to Ignore
CCCA is sneaky. It doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s what to watch for, beyond just a widening part:
That "Crusty" or "Bumpy" Scalp Feeling: Before you even see major hair loss, you might feel small bumps or a scaly texture on your crown. That’s the inflammation making itself known.
The Uncomfortable Sensations: A persistent itch, a burning feeling, soreness, or even a pins-and-needles sensation on your scalp. This isn't normal, and you shouldn't have to live with it.
A Shiny, "Too Smooth" Scalp: As follicles are replaced by scar tissue, the scalp can take on a unnaturally shiny, smooth appearance in the affected areas.
Hair That Just Won't Grow: You notice breakage, but more importantly, the hair in the center of your head simply doesn’t seem to grow back the way it used to.
If you’re nodding along, please hear this: this is not your fault. And the embarrassment, frustration, and grief you feel are 100% valid. This condition impacts our identity, and we need to talk about that emotional toll just as much as the physical one.
Why the Typical "Just Relax" Advice Falls Short
Many well-meaning dermatologists will prescribe a topical steroid and tell you to avoid tight styles. And while that’s a start, it’s a surface-level fix for a deep, inflammatory problem.
Topical steroids might calm the itch temporarily, but they don’t address why your body is so inflamed in the first place. Is it a hidden autoimmune issue? A hormonal trigger? A nutrient deficiency fueling the fire? Without these answers, we’re just managing symptoms while the scarring continues.
Our Approach: Fighting CCCA from the Inside Out
At Nina Ross Hair Therapy, we wage war on CCCA on multiple fronts. We don’t just look at your scalp; we become detectives for your entire health story. Our goal is to stop the scarring and preserve every single follicle we can.
1. Uncover the Root Cause with Advanced Testing:
We never guess. We employ functional medicine lab testing to find the hidden drivers of your inflammation. This can be:
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Inflammation Marker Testing to identify the extent of the problem in your body.
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Nutrient Deficiency Analysis since Vitamin D and Zinc are among the things that are very important to stop immune responses.
2. Use Medical-Grade Treatments to Heal the Scalp:
While we investigate the internal causes, we actively treat the scalp to rescue your follicles. We use targeted drugs to reduce the inflammation on your scalp that are much more effective than over-the-counter products.
In addition, we also utilize Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Exosome Therapy to provide your scalp with the highest concentration of growth factors and healing signals. These therapies are meant to regulate the immune reaction, alleviate scarring and vigorously provide the dormant follicles the stimulation to wake up and grow.
Your Hair Is a Part of You, But It Is Not All of You.
We know this is emotional. We know it’s scary. But we also know there is hope. The most important step you can take right now is to get a real, accurate diagnosis from someone who not only understands CCCA but also understands you.
If you’re ready to move past the fear and into a future where you have control, book your Hair Therapy Evaluation for just $99 and let us help you stop the progression and build a plan for the healthy, thriving hair you deserve.
