Navigating Hair Loss in Medical School: Experiences of Two Young Black Women

The commentary highlights the experiences of two young Black women, Jewell Dinkins and Chidubem A.V. Okeke, who faced hair loss during medical school. Both women encountered challenges in receiving accurate diagnoses and culturally sensitive care from dermatologists unfamiliar with textured hair. Jewell was initially misdiagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis before being correctly diagnosed with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia by a Black dermatologist. Chidubem ignored her symptoms due to financial constraints and academic pressures, eventually seeking treatment after discovering bald patches. Their stories emphasize the need for dermatologists to be trained in the structural differences and cultural significance of Black hair to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.