Discoid Lupus — Scarring Photodistributed Plaques

A 42-year-old woman presents with a 3-year history of erythematous scaly plaques on her cheeks, nose, and scalp. Examination reveals well-demarcated lesions with follicular plugging and, in older lesions, the structure marked **C** (atrophic central scarring with surrounding dyspigmentation). Skin biopsy shows epidermal atrophy, vacuolar interface dermatitis, and periappendageal lymphocytic infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrates granular IgG and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction in lesional skin. Which of the following clinical features is the MOST important distinguishing characteristic of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) that is demonstrated by the scarring process marked **C**?