Hairdressing and the prevalence of scalp disease in African adults

Abstract

We found associations between specific scalp diseases, hairstyles, gender, and age. These associations need further study, better to elucidate determinants and to improve disease prevention and treatment.

Health risks of the clean-shave chiskop haircut

“…In male partners of female participants, the prevalence of FKN was similar to the male population data (10.05% v. 10.5%), and in female partners of male participants it was higher, but again not significantly higher, than the female population data (1.4% v. 0.3%; p=0.12). Although the prevalence of haircut-associated bleeding was lower than in the previous study [1] (but not significantly lower, 24.6% v. 32%; p=0.17), it was noteworthy that bleeding was common in both studies. Additionally, more participants had a history of bleeding from a haircut than were diagnosed with FKN, suggesting that this haircut increases the risk of bleeding even in people with healthy scalps.…”

“…[1,2] We obtained approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, permission from the Cape Town Central Health District, Western Cape, and informed consent from participants. Our aim was to compare the prevalences of haircut-associated bleeding and FKN with existing Langa population data.…”

“…[1] The most popular of these is the 'clean-shave' or 'chiskop' style, which is achieved when the metal of the electric clipper is pressed directly onto the scalp to produce a shiny look similar to that achieved with razor blades. Folliculitis keloidalis nuchae (FKN), also incorrectly called acne keloidalis, is shaving-bump-like keloids on the back of the head (Fig.…”

“…Folliculitis keloidalis nuchae (FKN), also incorrectly called acne keloidalis, is shaving-bump-like keloids on the back of the head (Fig. 1); the condition predominantly affects black males (5.4% of high-school boys v. 0% of girls; [2] 10.5% of men v. 0.3% of women [1] ). We had an unexpected finding during a population study; 32% of male participants described having experienced haircut-associated bleeding, [3] which may be significant in our country with its high burden of HIV infection.…”

Trichotillomania and Traction Alopecia

“…Although TA is more prevalent among females of African ancestry, it has been described in a wide range of populations, including nurses, ballerinas, Sikh boys and men, to name a few [30][31][32][33][34]. Research has convincingly demonstrated that certain habitual practices of hairstyling are implicated in the pathogenesis of TA [35][36][37][38][39].…”