Support for Dermatological Research in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from African Hair and Skin Research Programs

February 2024 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Pierre M. De Faverney, Kwezikazi Molamodi, Emmanuelle Tancrède‐Bohin, Michèle Verschoore

acne hair loss scalp keloid scars atopic dermatitis air pollution post-acne hyperpigmentation PADI3 gene mutations central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia hair and scalp disorders graying African skin African hair PADI3 mutations CCCA hair disorders

TLDR The document concludes that more local research on African skin and hair is needed despite increased scientific output from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The document discusses a program by L'Oréal supporting research on hair and skin in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2013 to 2022. Ten grants were awarded, covering topics like acne, hair and scalp, keloid scars, atopic dermatitis, and air pollution. Key findings include the validation of the post-acne hyperpigmentation index for black skin in SSA, higher prevalence of hair loss in females than males in Lagos, Nigeria, and the discovery of PADI3 gene mutations in patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. The document also reveals that while there are 629 global studies on hair and scalp disorders in people of African ancestry, only 74 are from SSA. The grant program has generated two publications on hair loss and graying in Nigeria and contributed to research on PADI3 mutations. The document concludes that while there has been an increase in scientific research from SSA, more localized research is needed due to the unique factors affecting African skin and hair.

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