Ethnic Hair Disorders: Diagnosis and Management

January 2015 in “ Current problems in dermatology ”

Scott F. Lindsey, Antonella Tosti

TLDR Understanding and treating hair disorders in different ethnic groups requires knowledge of specific hair care practices and hair characteristics.

The document from 2015 examines the diagnosis and management of hair and scalp conditions in ethnic patients, highlighting the need for an understanding of cultural hair care practices and the unique hair characteristics of different racial and ethnic groups. It categorizes ethnic hair into African, Asian, and Caucasian, with African hair being curlier and more brittle. The paper discusses the prevalence of hair disorders like traction alopecia (TA) and acquired trichorrhexis nodosa (TN) in black populations due to certain hair care practices. It also covers the chemical composition of hair, the use of chemical relaxers, and the importance of reducing hair trauma in treatment. The document reports a 28% prevalence of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) in a study of 326 black women and notes the high incidence of conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae and Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) in black men. It emphasizes the emotional impact of hair loss and the necessity for physicians to be knowledgeable about ethnic hair to effectively treat these disorders. Early intervention in conditions like TA can lead to complete regrowth, but long-standing cases may result in permanent loss.

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research Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

11 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

CCCA is a common, progressive hair loss condition that may not always be linked to hair care practices and requires a biopsy for diagnosis.

research A Detective Look at Hair Biopsies from African-American Patients

40 citations , May 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Recognizing specific features of African-American hair can help diagnose hair loss conditions.

research Medical and Environmental Risk Factors for the Development of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

88 citations , August 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Type 2 diabetes, bacterial scalp infections, and tight hairstyles like braids and weaves are linked to a higher risk of a scarring hair loss condition in African American women.

research Central Hair Loss in African American Women: Incidence and Potential Risk Factors

76 citations , February 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Some African American women's central scalp hair loss is linked to genetics and past fungal scalp infections, with more research needed on other causes.

research Hair Care Practices and Their Association With Scalp and Hair Disorders in African American Girls

59 citations , February 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Certain hairstyles and less hair oil use in African American girls can lead to scalp conditions like traction alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis.

research Central Scalp Alopecia Photographic Scale in African American Women

46 citations , July 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

A scale was made to measure hair loss severity in African American women.

research Traction Alopecia: 2% Topical Minoxidil Shows Promise. Report of Two Cases

40 citations , March 2007 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in traction alopecia.

research Medical and Surgical Therapies for Alopecias in Black Women

105 citations , June 2004 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

The document concludes that proper diagnosis and a combination of medical, hair-care, and surgical treatments are important for managing alopecia in black women.

research Hair and Scalp Disorders in Ethnic Populations

55 citations , October 2003 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Different hair care practices and conditions affect African American hair and scalp health, requiring specialized knowledge for treatment.

research Pseudofolliculitis Barbae: Review and Update on New Treatment Modalities

22 citations , July 2003 in “Military medicine”

New treatments are available for managing ingrown hair inflammation.

research Defining Pseudofolliculitis Barbae in 2001: A Review of the Literature and Current Trends

96 citations , February 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a chronic skin condition affecting mainly African American and Hispanic individuals, caused by shaving tightly curled hair, and managed by prevention and treatment but not curable.

research Skin and Hair Cosmetic Issues in Women of Color

35 citations , October 2000 in “Dermatologic clinics”

A scarring hair loss condition mainly affects middle-aged women of African descent, impacting their quality of life, with treatments more effective when started early.