Hair loss can affect anyone, but there are some types that seem to affect Black women at higher rates than other demographics. As a result, Black girls often grow up hearing stories about Black women whose hair had fallen out permanently after years of chemical damage, or their edges never recovered after wearing a certain style that was too tight.
The most well-known of these conditions is called central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). It was first identified in 1968 and is now one of the leading forms of hair loss among Black women.
CCCA was originally believed to be caused by hair-care practices – the first study describing its symptoms referred to it as “hot-comb alopecia.” But recent research has found that genetics also play a role.
However, research on CCCA and hair-loss treatments for Black women in general have been lacking. This seems to be slowly changing, thanks in part to a combination of new technology and other developments, including initiatives like Pathways, a collaboration between the American Association of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, Johnson & Johnson, and Kenvue, which support increased diversity and inclusivity in dermatology.
In fact, two of the newest potential treatments for hair loss appear to benefit people with CCCA. Neither has been approved yet by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for hair loss, but the early results are promising. Here’s everything we know so far.
Metformin
Metformin, a drug that was approved by the FDA to treat high blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes, has emerged as a potential treatment option for CCCA. Crystal Aguh, MD, director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, formally began exploring the drug’s ability to treat hair loss after she noticed that many of her Black women patients who had scarring alopecia were also more likely to have other types of scarring, like keloids and fibroids.
Through her research, she was able to identify that metformin had also been used to treat other instances of abnormal scarring. She then had the drug reformulated into a cream and prescribed it to a few patients to apply topically to the scalp.
In one study, half of the patients saw hair regrowth.
She then started prescribing patients Metformin in pill form. Again, half of them saw hair regrowth.
More research needs to be done, but the initial, albeit limited, results and the drug’s safety profile could make metformin a viable treatment option, particularly in scarring types of hair loss.
Tricopat and growth factors
Tricopat is a device that uses a patented protocol called TRICOGENES to introduce growth factors into the scalp. The company says the product is designed specifically to treat androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, though some dermatologists say it also shows promise for use on patients with CCCA.
Tricopat has been used in Italy for years. Slowly, it’s begun to find its way into dermatologists’ offices in the United States.
The device uses iontophoresis, a procedure that delivers electric current to the follicles, which allows direct delivery of the growth factors to the follicle itself, rather than merely the skin. Some devices that use iontophoresis have received FDA approval for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating.
While it typically takes seven or eight months to see results with hair-loss treatments, dermatologists have reported seeing them within a couple treatments with the Tricopat. The number and frequency of treatments a patient will need depends on their specific type of hair loss, but sessions every two to four weeks for four to eight sessions appears to be the most commonly recommended range.
A customized treatment plan
These potential options are just a snapshot of the many treatments being developed and adapted to promote hair regrowth, including for Black women. In-office treatments like platelet-rich plasma and nanofat injections (neither of which has FDA approval for treating hair loss, though they have been used as a treatment for the condition for years), as well as minoxidil and JAK inhibitors for at-home treatment, have all demonstrated varying levels of improvements in patients.
This range of treatment options means that dermatologists today have the chance to provide a customized treatment plan for every patient. So, if you’re experiencing any form of hair loss, seek out a board-certified dermatologist. Early detection is key because it’s much easier to prevent further hair loss than it is to regrow hair once it’s gone.
Is Your Skin Feeling Dry, Tight, And Itchy? Try This