If you have CCCA, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking about what you’re putting on your scalp. I know I have.
Shampoos. Topical medications. Oils. Serums. Styling products. The list can get pretty long.
But after living with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) for more than a decade and now studying trichology, I’ve become increasingly interested in another question:
What about what we’re putting into our bodies?
CCCA is a form of scarring alopecia that involves inflammation around the hair follicle. And while changing your diet isn’t a cure for CCCA, I’ve become much more intentional about looking at my health as a whole—including the foods I eat.
So let’s talk about an anti-inflammatory way of eating, what that actually means, and how it may fit into an overall CCCA wellness plan.
First, What Does Inflammation Have to Do With CCCA?
CCCA is more than simply “hair falling out.”
It’s a type of scarring alopecia, which means inflammation can damage the hair follicle and eventually lead to permanent hair loss. That’s one of the reasons early diagnosis and appropriate treatment from a dermatologist are so important.
When I was first diagnosed with CCCA more than a decade ago, I didn’t understand nearly as much about the condition as I do today. Now, as a trichology student, I’m learning to look at hair and scalp health as part of a much bigger picture.
That includes things like nutrition, stress, sleep, medical conditions, medications, hormones, and lifestyle.
And that brings us to food.
Can an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Treat CCCA?
This is where I want to be very clear.
An anti-inflammatory diet is not a treatment or cure for CCCA.
There isn’t currently a specific “CCCA diet” proven to stop the disease.
Medical treatment is especially important with CCCA because once a follicle has been permanently scarred, regrowing hair from that follicle may not be possible.
However, a nutritious eating pattern rich in whole, minimally processed foods can support overall health and may help support a healthier inflammatory environment in the body.
For me, I think of nutrition as one piece of the puzzle—not the entire puzzle.
Foods I Want More of on My Plate
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet doesn’t require buying a cabinet full of expensive “superfoods.”
Many of the foods are probably already familiar to you.
🥬 Colorful Vegetables
Think leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
Different-colored vegetables provide different vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, which is why variety is important.
Instead of worrying about finding the “perfect” vegetable, I like the idea of simply asking:
How can I add more color to this meal?
🫐 Fruits
Berries are particularly popular in anti-inflammatory eating patterns, but you don’t have to limit yourself to berries.
Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, oranges, apples, cherries, grapes and other fruits can all be part of a nutritious diet.
Whole fruit also gives you something juice doesn’t always provide in the same amount: fiber.
🐟 Omega-3-Rich Fish
Salmon, sardines, mackerel and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s are particularly interesting when we’re talking about nutrition and inflammation because of their role in inflammatory pathways in the body.
Salmon happens to be one of my favorites, so this is an easy one for me!
🫒 Healthy Fats
Extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds are great ways to incorporate unsaturated fats into your meals.
Walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds can be especially useful additions.
And you don’t have to make things complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as adding walnuts to oatmeal or using olive oil with vegetables.
🍗 Adequate Protein
Hair itself is primarily made of a protein called keratin, so adequate dietary protein matters for normal hair production.
Some options include:
- Chicken and turkey
- Fish
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Beans and lentils
- Tofu and other soy foods
- Nuts and seeds
This doesn’t mean eating huge amounts of protein will make your hair grow faster. It simply means your body needs adequate nutrition to perform its normal functions—including producing hair.
🌾 High-Fiber Carbohydrates
Oats, quinoa, brown rice, beans, lentils and other minimally processed carbohydrate sources can provide fiber and important nutrients.
Fiber is also important for gut health, which is another fascinating area researchers continue to study in relation to overall health and inflammation.
What About Foods to Avoid?
I actually prefer the word limit rather than avoid.
Unless you have an allergy, intolerance or another medical reason to completely eliminate a particular food, you don’t necessarily need to create a long list of foods that you’re “never allowed” to eat.
Instead, consider eating less of foods such as:
Highly processed foods, excessive added sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, heavily fried foods, processed meats and refined carbohydrates.
And this is something I have to work on myself.
I have a sweet tooth!
So when I talk about reducing added sugar, I’m not speaking from some perfect place where I never want dessert. I’m working on becoming more intentional about how often I eat those foods and what the majority of my diet looks like.
That’s a much more realistic approach for me than trying to eat perfectly.
What Could an Anti-Inflammatory Day Look Like?
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Breakfast could be eggs with spinach and berries or oatmeal topped with walnuts and blueberries.
Lunch could be grilled chicken, a large colorful salad and olive-oil-based dressing.
Dinner could be salmon, a sweet potato and broccoli or cabbage.
Snacks might include Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts or vegetables with hummus.
Simple.
The goal isn’t to create a perfect “CCCA meal.” It’s to develop an overall eating pattern that provides your body with the nutrients it needs.
What I’m Learning From My Own CCCA Journey
One of the biggest changes in my thinking has been realizing that I don’t want to focus exclusively on my scalp.
Yes, I care about what shampoo I’m using.
Yes, I care about my topical treatments.
Yes, I care about protecting my hair and avoiding unnecessary tension.
But I also want to ask:
Am I sleeping enough?
Am I managing my stress?
Am I eating enough protein and vegetables?
Am I getting the nutrients my body needs?
Am I taking care of my overall health?
After more than a decade of living with CCCA, I’m learning that caring for my hair also means caring for the woman the hair is growing from.
And that is something I wish I had understood much earlier.
The Bottom Line
There is no single food that causes CCCA, and there is no food that can cure it.
But eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is one way we can support our overall health while also following the medical treatment recommended for our CCCA.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire refrigerator tomorrow.
Start small.
Add a vegetable.
Choose salmon one night.
Add some berries to breakfast.
Drink more water.
Replace one heavily processed snack with something more nourishing.
Small choices made consistently can become a lifestyle.
And when you’re living with a chronic condition like CCCA, I believe taking care of your whole self matters too.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Tonya Renee, founder of Tonya Renee Trichology.
After being diagnosed with CCCA in 2014, I made it my mission to understand the condition and help other women navigate it with knowledge and hope. As a student trichologist, I share educational resources designed to help women better understand CCCA, care for their scalp, and feel more confident throughout their hair journey.
Calmer Scalp First. Growth Second.
Because healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp.
With hope,
Tonya Renee
Student Trichologist | Future Certified Trichologist
Helping women with CCCA understand their scalp, calm inflammation, and protect the hair they have.
Disclaimer: I am a trichology student sharing educational information and my personal experience living with CCCA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure CCCA and should not replace medical advice from your dermatologist, physician or registered dietitian.