AKN Acne Keloidalis Nuchae , having no relation to acne vulgaris, is a kind of chronic folliculitis that originates as pustules and papules within the hair follicle. It then appears as keloidlike lesions that develop on the back of the neck and/or the occipital scalp. These large, inflamed lesions are uncomfortable and often painful, and create a mass of tissue on which normal hair growth is disrupted. AKN is viewed as a cause of cicatricial alopecia. The most common ethnicity affected by the condition are those of African decent, with some frequency—although much less—among Asians and Hispanics.

AKN Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

This patient had a large acne keloidalis nuchae mass along his posterior hairline for six years. During that time, he grew his hair long to cover it and avoided the barber out of embarrassment. After a six-month bout of oral medications with no improvement, he decided he had to do something else.

Dr. Umar surgically excised the acne keloidalis nuchae mass, leaving no trace of the condition behind. Five months post-operation, the patient has only negligible scarring and is extremely pleased with the results.