For eight years of marriage, Juan’s wife had never seen the AKN he kept hidden beneath thick, long hair. At his consultation with Dr. Sanusi Umar, that hidden burden becomes visible, and Juan says he is ready to get his life back.
The moment surprised even Dr. Sanusi Umar. Juan had lived with a very significant case of acne keloidalis nuchae, or AKN, while using his thick, long hair to conceal the bumps on the back of his head. His wife had never seen the condition during their eight years of marriage. At the consultation, she finally did.
What Juan Had Been Hiding
Juan’s wife responds simply: “I’ve never seen it.” The reveal makes clear how effectively he had hidden the condition. But the chapter quickly moves beyond appearance. Juan explains that living with AKN has affected ordinary physical closeness with his family.
“It would be nice to have that feeling of my son hugging me.”
That sentence shifts the focus from what can be seen on the scalp to what Juan hopes to regain in daily life. His concern is not only the visible bumps on the back of the head. It is also about family, touch, and being able to move through life without organizing his choices around hiding the condition.
“Mr Bumpy, Your Days Are Numbered”
The tone changes as Juan and Dr. Umar look ahead. The chapter does not reveal a treatment for acne keloidalis or show an outcome. Instead, it captures Juan’s decision to confront what he had kept covered for years.
“Mr Bumpy, your days are numbered,” Dr. Umar says. When he asks whether Juan is ready to say goodbye to it, Juan answers, “Yeah, I’m ready. Ready to get my life back.” The exchange gives Chapter 00 its purpose: not a result, but a beginning.
The Beginning of Juan’s Story
This chapter ends before treatment begins and before any result is known. What it establishes is the personal cost of hiding AKN and Juan’s readiness to take the next step. His wife has now seen what had been concealed for years, Dr. Umar has heard what Juan hopes to regain, and Juan has made his intention clear.
The next chapter continues from there.
Watch the Chapter
Watch Chapter 00 on YouTube.
Take the Next Step
Continue with the chapter on Instagram and TikTok. Follow for the next chapter of Juan’s story.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual experiences and results vary. A qualified healthcare professional should evaluate questions about diagnosis or treatment.
Further Reading
- https://dru.com/still-dreaming-still-fighting-anwars-battle-goes-on/
- Umar, Sanusi et al. “A Retrospective Cohort Study and Clinical Classification System of Acne Keloidalis Nuchae.” The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology vol. 14,4 (2021): E61-E67.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8142833/
