Hair Density in African Americans

In a retrospective case series study by Leonard C. Sperling, MD, involving 22 African American and 12 white patients, it was discovered that African Americans have a significantly lower hair density compared to whites. The study, which examined biopsy specimens of clinically healthy scalp skin, found that African Americans had fewer total hair follicles, terminal follicles, and terminal anagen hairs (P<.001). These findings suggest that the lower hair density in African Americans should be taken into account during scalp biopsy evaluations to prevent misdiagnosis, as the standards derived from white populations may not be applicable.