Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a type of alopecia that causes permanent hair loss and is more commonly seen in Black women. It was first noticed in African Americans in the 1950s and reported by LoPresti et al. in 1968 as a result of application of petrolatum followed by a stove-heated iron comb. CCCA is a unique form of scarring alopecia that clinically presents as patches of permanent hair loss on the vertex or crown of the scalp, and spreads centrifugally. It is a common condition that usually affects women of African descent, and it runs in families. The cause of CCCA is not clear, but it is suspected to have a multi-factored cause. One theory involves pressure exerted on the internal root sheath leading to damage, which leads to the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the result of scarring. The exact cause of CCCA is unknown, but it is thought to be related to the use of hot combs, excessive heat and hot oils on the scalp, chemical relaxers, and excessive tension from braids, tight hair rollers, weaves or extensions, as well as heredity (family history) .

Symptoms of CCCA include noticeable hair loss in the center of the scalp, scalp itches, burns, or feels painful, hair loss spreads outward in a circular pattern, and the scalp appears shiny and smooth. Some people who have CCCA feel small, raised bumps on their scalp, and many people who have untreated CCCA say that their scalp burns, stings, or itches. Treatment for CCCA can ease the pain and other symptoms, and the main goal of treating CCCA is to relieve its symptoms, to slow or stop further hair loss and promote hair regrowth in areas not permanently scarred. Mild CCCA is often treated with a topical steroid medication applied by the patient at home and sometimes combined with local corticosteroid injections in the scalp performed by the physician at 4- to 8-week intervals. Women with CCCA should also consider changing their hair care practices.