Actress Jada Pinkett Smith’s viral photo of a shaved head has brought the issue of women’s hair loss into the spotlight.  This is not a new issue but it’s gaining new attention with high-profile black women like Smith and Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, forgoing wigs and rocking a bald head.  We examine women’s hair loss, the possible causes and what can be done about it.

“Bloggers have contributed a lot of information about these different regimens that is not scientifically based,” [Lenzy] says. “It may look good on their hair, but when you try to go execute it on your particular hair texture, you don’t get that same result.”

In its early stages, CCCA can be misdiagnosed as androgenetic alopecia because they can look very similar, with thinning in the crown area of the scalp, says Yolanda Lenzy, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

“Out of all races, a type of hair loss called central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) affects Black women more, according to recent research by dermatologist Dr. Yolanda Lenzy of Lenzy Dermatology & Hair Loss Center. Black women also have an increased likelihood of developing alopecia areata and traction alopecia compared to white women.”

“Most often, the cause of hair loss among black women is central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a condition that inflames and can destroy hair follicles, according to Lenzy. But she also warned that frequent braiding, weaves and the use of hair-relaxing chemicals can also cause hair loss.”

"When hair loss is caused by styling practices, the problem is usually chronic use. Women who use these styling practices tend to use them repeatedly, and long-term repeated use can result in hair loss," said Lenzy.