CCCA Alopecia is a type of scarring hair loss that can cause inflammation of the scalp. Prolonged inflammation if not treated, can “scar or destroy hair follicles.” Because CCCA Alopecia can cause scarring, hair transplants may be needed to aid in hair regrowth. Hair transplants are a safe, effective way to regrow hair for African American women. There are several solutions for varying types of alopecia, but for today’s article I will be focusing on the benefits of hair transplants as a viable solution for hair loss.

Inflamed Scalp Treatments

Prior to getting hair transplants, it is important to make sure of two things:

1.  The scalp is not inflamed
2.  Hair care practices do not continue to create scalp inflammation

An inflamed scalp is itchy, red, and can even develop puss and ulcers. To combat scalp inflammation, internal and external routines must be put in place. This will ensure that when hair transplants are applied, they can grow healthy and strong, taking root in the scalp.

Calendula, Burdock Root, and Oils

If the scalp has experienced inflammation or scarring due to CCCA Alopecia, you can reduce inflammation by drinking Calendula or Burdock Root Tea, both which help with to cleanse the lymphatic system and lessen swollen glands. Externally, oils like Sea buckthorn Oil can be applied to your scalp in a gentle scalp massage to help reduce any scalp scarring.

Omega-3 and Oils

Omega-3 fish oils stimulate the scalp by including blood circulation. This can help with regrowing your hair naturally. It can also aid in reducing hair loss associated with inflammation. Externally, oils like Chia seed oil are high in Omega-3 and can be applied topically for scalp health.

Turmeric

In addition, Turmeric Tea or supplements can also help with reducing inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

“Most hair loss is caused at least on some level due to inflammation,” Gaunitz says. “Reducing inflammation, in turn, reduces the impact of pattern hair loss or directly inflammatory hair loss on the scalp and hair follicles.” - William Gaunitz, WTS, is a certified trichologist and the founder of Advanced Trichology.

Be mindful when using Turmeric as a supplement because in rare cases, some people are allergic. According to Gaunitz, “However, if you have an inflammatory scalp condition, you must make sure that you are tracking your progress during the use of turmeric,” Gaunitz says. “In some cases, I’ve seen turmeric aggravate inflammatory scalp conditions that are caused by allergies or ongoing chemical exposure. The reason for that is turmeric is enhancing the immune response, which ultimately is causing hair loss. These are rare conditions, though.”

More Exercise and Less Technology

Be aware that some inflammation can be due to pyscological stressors, which is why aerobic exercises that increase the heart rate are best for naturally lowering stress levels.

Examples of Aerobic Exercises:

• Brisk walking
• Jogging or Running
• Cycling
• HILT Workouts
• Dancing
• Swimming

Getting enough sleep at night and reducing TV and cell phone use are also ways to reduce chronic stress.

Hair Care Practices

In addition to reducing inflammation, it is also important to avoid hair care routines that will continue to expose the hair and scalp to irritation.

1. Avoid infrequent washing of scalp and hair or hair styling tools and sleep caps. Always wash your hair at regularly schedules intervals whether that be every week or every 2-3 weeks.
2. Use gentle hair products free of chemicals like fragrance/perfume to wash your hair including natural shampoos, conditioners or deep conditions.
3. Use a scalp scrub, either homemade or a natural one from the store to naturally scrub your scalp and increase circulation.

Hair Transplants for Hair Loss

Once strategies and routines for reducing inflammation and using better hair care practices are in place, hair transplants can be applied.

Hair transplants are when hair is taken from another area of the hair, preferably the back, and hair follicles are planted into the thinning areas of the scalp to regrow.

There are two types of hair transplants: follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS) or follicular unit extraction (FUE). For natural hair in African American women, the FUE is the preferred type of hair transplant.

Hair transplant procedures depend on your hair type, color, and even the area in which you are having new hairs placed. Placing new hairs into the scalp is called “grafting.”

“If you’re getting the FUE procedure, the surgeon’s team will shave the back of your scalp. Then, the doctor will remove hair follicles one by one from there. The area heals with small dots, which your existing hair will cover.” – Web, md.

This is the main reason why it is important to grow your hair out because hair –especially nearing the back of the head is needed for hair transplants to other areas.

Hair Transplant Process

The hair transplant process is when the doctor takes the “grafts” which hold individual hair follicles and uses a needle or scalpel to “delicately place each graft” into the scalp. Hair transplants can take anywhere between 4-8 hours. More can be added for even thicker hair.

After this process, recovery can take between 2-5 days and your scalp will need to be covered with bandage and you may also take medicine to prevent infection. While transplanted hair is meant to “fall out” within 2-3 weeks, it is followed by the hair regrowing. A moderate percentage of people see 60% of new hair grow within 6 to 9 months.

Prices of hair transplants can start at $4,000, so it is important to locate credible facilities close by to perform transplants.

Below is a video with an example of hair transplant for an African American woman with Follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS):

Before:

After:

Example with Follicular unit extraction (FUE): Dermatologist Chat 

Proper practices like the ones listed above are put in place to prevent infection and inflammation.

ALWAYS consult your doctor before taking any new supplement, herbal treatment, or pharmaceutical drug.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.