Follicular Degeneration Syndrome

What is Follicular Degeneration Syndrome?

Follicular degeneration syndrome (FDS), also known as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), is a scarring type of hair loss. It often starts as a hair loss patch on the crown which may feel tender, itchy or tingling. The hair loss can then spread across the top of the scalp, reducing the hair density, causing hair breakage and hair loss, and making the scalp easily visible through the hair on the top. If left untreated, the chronic inflammation in the hair follicles can destroy them and replace them with fibrosis, leaving permanent hair loss. It is therefore important to treat it as early as possible, which can help stop the condition from worsening and preserve the hair growth from the active hair follicles. 

What Causes Follicular Degeneration Syndrome?

There are multiple factors that can lead to follicular degeneration syndrome, which may include:

• physical trauma to the hair such as that from tight braids or heavy extensions and weaves
• thermal trauma to the hair such as that from hair straighteners, hot combs, and strong hair dryers
• chemical trauma to the hair such as that from perms and relaxers
• genetic predisposition
• autoimmune predisposition
• increased tendency to develop fibrosis, keloids, uterine fibroids

How is Follicular Degeneration Syndrome Treated?

Depending on the severity of the hair loss, there are products that may help to restore the density of the hair as long as hair follicles are still active. Even if there are scarred areas with permanent hair loss, treatment is still important to reduce the inflammation and stop the condition from getting worse. We recommend you contact your GP or a dermatologist about this.

Once the follicles have been lost and replaced by scar tissue, the hair cannot grow back. In such cases there may however be surrounding follicles that are still producing hair that can be helped. This is something you will be able to discuss with your dermatologist or doctor.