AKN removal surgery Archives - Dr. U Hair & Skin Clinic | FUE Hair Restoration, Dermatology and Laser Surgery | Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach | Dr Sanusi Umar MD

How Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) Silently Damages Men’s Mental Health, and What You Can Do About It

Dr Sanusi Umar MD — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:24:38 +0000

For 10 years, Antonio hid a painful scalp condition that nearly destroyed his confidence and his life. At Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinic, we understand that Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) isn’t just a physical condition. It can crush your self-esteem. Antonio struggled to find AKN treatments that work, and juggling his mental health and his condition became a struggle he had to live through. As you’ll see through Antonio’s story, patients with AKN not only suffer through the pain and physical inconveniences of the condition; they also carry the psychological and emotional burdens that the skin condition causes, often being unable to share what they are going through with even their most trusted friends and family.

Antonio’s AKN scalp bumps formed a flat plaque on the back of his head that caused him physical pain and emotional turmoil.

Our Patient Shares His Journey With AKN

Before developing AKN, our patient, Antonio, was passionate about life—he loved to play music and perform in front of an audience, he had an outgoing personality, and he had a promising future with his fiancée and two daughters in Chicago, Illinois. When he was a senior in high school, he started to notice bumps on the nape of his neck. After five years, two to three bumps eventually developed into large AKN scalp bumps that caused him physical pain and took an emotional toll on him. Sleeping became difficult, with Antonio and his fiancée often waking up to blood on their pillows. Sweating caused stinging pain to the lesion. But more than that, the emotional anguish he felt over the AKN was inescapable.

The Mental Struggle When Living With AKN

For 10 years, Antonio felt a sense of hopelessness around his chronic scalp inflammation. He became antisocial, stopped taking care of himself, would hide his lesion with uncomfortable clothing, and even started toying with the idea of self-harm. Most painful of all, Antonio had given up playing music—he felt like the thing he loved doing most was taken from him, and he no longer wanted to be seen in public. Even Stephanie noticed his inner struggles when they moved in together. She could see that he wasn’t taking care of himself, and this almost ended their relationship.

Dr. Umar surgically excised the AKN mass, and the lesion that caused him to lose confidence in himself was finally gone.

Seeking Out An AKN Specialist

Antonio tried first-line therapies, such as topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, and intralesional steroid injections, but they did nothing to help with his case. He eventually found AKN specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar online five years ago and worked hard to make his way to California and find a solution for his condition.

Dr. Sanusi Umar’s AKN Treatment Plan

Dr. Umar had three goals when it came to treating Antonio’s AKN mass:

Remove the lesion
Prevent recurrence
Have an aesthetically pleasant result as the scar healed

The mass was surgically excised using specialized techniques. Dr. Umar utilized proprietary wound modulation techniques and scar prevention protocols to support healing and reduce recurrence risk using the patented Athena Tension Suture Kit, a tool that Dr. Umar created to facilitate wound closure gradually and to minimize skin tearing. After surgery, Antonio is to maintain a post-op routine over 6 to 12 months to help prevent recurrence and support optimal scar healing, with continued follow-up and scalp maintenance as needed.

The patented Athena Tension Suture Kit, a tool invented by Dr. Sanusi Umar to facilitate wound closure in high-tension wounds.

Antonio’s Post-Surgery Relief

Right after waking up from surgery, Antonio cried tears of relief. He was grateful that he had made it to surgery and looked forward to life without AKN. The scalp bumps that ruined his self-esteem were finally gone. He had been dreaming of this day for 10 years. Now, he feels like he can finally enjoy life and play music again. His mental health greatly improved, and even Stephanie is excited for her fiancé and is looking forward to his AKN surgery recovery.

Men’s Mental Awareness Month and AKN Relevance

While AKN can affect both men and women, it has an estimated male-to-female ratio of 20:1. It’s also more common among men of African descent. Dr. Sanusi Umar acknowledges that the effects of AKN on his patients are both physical and mental. He has devoted the majority of his career to researching the condition and surgical techniques for removing lesions and preventing recurrence. Other scalp conditions that Dr. Umar specializes in that predominantly affect men include folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis

AKN, as well as other scalp conditions, can take a physical and emotional toll on men, so it’s important to seek help from a specialist before the condition worsens.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae, we at the Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinics encourage you to break your silence about your struggles and seek help. AKN has physical, mental, and emotional impacts, and dealing with it silently can negatively affect your self-esteem. Antonio’s story is just one of the many real patient AKN journeys that we want to highlight this Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Sanusi Umar lends his support to all the men out there dealing with chronic scalp bumps and inflammation: “To every man struggling with something you can’t talk about, we want you to know: we see you, we hear you, and we’re here to help.” If you or someone you know is struggling with AKN, fill out our free online consultation form to be reviewed by Dr. Sanusi Umar.

Individual results may vary. This story reflects one patient’s personal experience with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) and treatment with Dr. Umar. Consult with a qualified physician for personalized advice.

The post How Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) Silently Damages Men’s Mental Health, and What You Can Do About It appeared first on Dr. U Hair & Skin Clinic | FUE Hair Restoration, Dermatology and Laser Surgery | Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach | Dr Sanusi Umar MD.

From Hidden Scars to Hair Peace: Adrian’s 8-Year Battle With Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Dr Sanusi Umar MD — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:24:00 +0000

After eight years of living with the chronic inflammatory condition Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), Adrian, a longtime patient of Dr. Umar, has found freedom, confidence, and a life free of challenges caused by his AKN. This is the story of how he persevered through long work hours to fund his AKN removal and how the transformation completely changed his life.

Eight Years With Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Adrian’s experience with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) started when he showed his mom a bump forming at the back of his head. The scalp bumps weren’t that large at the time, and his mom encouraged him to seek a doctor’s advice as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Adrian struggled too much to go to a doctor, and it progressively impacted his quality of life. He started wearing beanies all the time—even during hot summer days—just to cover up the AKN. He was hyper-aware of the perception of others and wanted people to be comfortable around him, so he hid away the AKN scalp lesions and eventually became a recluse.

Adrian has struggled with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) for eight years.

The Psychological Effects Of Living With AKN

Daily life became depressing for Adrian. He refused to go out with his friends and started isolating himself. At work, he was self-conscious about what his colleagues and customers thought of him. While those around him were curious about his AKN, he projected his negative feelings about himself onto them. He started making poor financial decisions to give himself temporary relief, but it was never enough. The scalp bumps, too, inconvenienced Adrian, weighing an estimated three pounds and preventing him from lying down and getting a proper night’s rest.

Adrian often had to wear uncomfortable beanies to hide the extensive AKN growth.

The Road To Recovery

Over the eight years Adrian had lived with AKN, he had had countless treatments without success. Typical first-line AKN therapies, like corticosteroids or antibiotics, were ineffective for Adrian’s case, and this caused him to feel a sense of hopelessness. He started feeling like, since these treatments weren’t successful, he would never be successful in life.

Discovering Dr. Sanusi Umar

Eventually, Adrian’s dad pushed him to see a specialist in New Mexico, who then referred him to Dr. Sanusi Umar, a globally recognized expert in AKN excision and advanced follicular repair. After consulting with him about AKN treatment options, with Dr. Umar’s approach aiming to remove AKN permanently while preserving cosmetic outcomes, Adrian felt a renewed hope, and he started to put together everything it would take for him to get his life-changing AKN removal surgery.

Working Toward A Solution

He worked more than 60 hours a week at his job at Domino’s for over four months to be able to afford the AKN removal surgery. While the work was grueling and he barely had time to himself anymore, Adrian knew that he had what it took to make a positive change in his life.

Adrian invested more hours at his job to be able to afford AKN removal surgery with Dr. Sanusi Umar.

Surgery and Transformation

Finally, after eight years of struggling, Adrian underwent AKN removal surgery with Dr. Sanusi Umar. It involved highly specialized surgical excision using techniques designed to minimize scarring and prevent recurrence. Almost two years after the surgery, Adrian is left looking and feeling completely transformed.

Life After AKN

Today, Adrian is not embarrassed about going outside anymore. He’s switched out his beanies for regular caps, started a new job as a video editor for a YouTuber, lost weight, and feels like he can be more of himself. Because of his newfound confidence, he’s become a mentor to his fellow employees and has even helped them gain confidence in their work.

Adrian has found a renewed sense of confidence thanks to the removal of his AKN.

Final Reflections

Because of the hard work Adrian had invested in himself, he can now look towards a proper future. His inspiring journey just goes to show that there isn’t a problem one can’t overcome, and hope and transformation are always possible. Through Adrian’s perseverance and through the familial support he received, he was able to find it within himself to solve his problems and change his life for the better.

Watch Adrian’s Story

It’s through journeys like Adrian’s that we can fulfill our mission of collaborating with patients to find treatment plans, support physical recovery, and help patients find a new sense of confidence. Adrian’s is just one of many stories that the Hair Peace Foundation has when it comes to successful AKN removal surgery. If you or someone you know is struggling with AKN, schedule a consultation with Dr. Umar or learn more about the Hair Peace Foundation’s support options.

The post From Hidden Scars to Hair Peace: Adrian’s 8-Year Battle With Acne Keloidalis Nuchae appeared first on Dr. U Hair & Skin Clinic | FUE Hair Restoration, Dermatology and Laser Surgery | Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach | Dr Sanusi Umar MD.

Beating AKN the Second Time: How One Patient Stopped Recurrence with Dr. Umar’s Approach

Dr Sanusi Umar MD — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:11:11 +0000

For years, Jorge thought surgery had ended his battle with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN). Unfortunately, like many patients, he learned the hard way that removal alone doesn’t guarantee the condition won’t return. After a decade of painful bumps, failed treatments, and one unsuccessful surgery, Jorge’s scalp lesion came back. Out of options, he sought help from AKN specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar, known for his advanced, recurrence-prevention techniques.

What Causes Acne Keloidalis Nuchae?

Jorge initially believed a haircut triggered his AKN, but the truth is more complex. AKN develops when a combination of factors work together to inflame and scar hair follicles, including:

Coarse hair and thick skin causing ingrown hairs and triggering inflammation
Friction and micro-injuries from shaving, shirt collars, and headwear
Immune responses that treat ingrown hairs as foreign bodies, causing excess collagen buildup, which results in scarring
Genetics making some people more prone to developing AKN

Jorge’s scalp AKN cleared through complete follicle removal, tension-free closure, and preventive laser therapy.

Why AKN Often Comes Back After Surgery, and How Dr. Umar Prevents It

When first-line therapies like steroids, injectables, and antibiotics can’t cure AKN, patients often turn to surgery as their last resort. However, having surgery to remove the scalp bumps doesn’t mean they can’t return. For Jorge, his surgery failed, and the large lesion at the back of his head came back. The factors that cause AKN, mentioned earlier, and other causes such as incomplete removal of hair follicles, poorly managed post-operative healing, and the lack of a preventative strategy after surgery, can all exacerbate the skin condition and cause it to recur. This is when patients like Jorge turn to Dr. Umar, whose expertise makes him the best person to treat these challenging cases.

Dr. Sanusi Umar’s Approach To AKN

Jorge didn’t just want the scalp bumps gone; he also wanted peace of mind and the freedom to do what he wanted without worrying about them. When Dr. Umar surgically excises an AKN scalp bump, he is not only removing the lesion, but also the conditions that cause the skin condition to develop in the first place. To close the wound, Dr. Umar used his patented Athena Suture Kit, a tool he invented to gradually close wounds without tissue damage. Jorge had to undergo a strict post-surgery routine to facilitate proper healing and prevent AKN recurrence.

Before and after AKN surgery by Dr. Umar. Severe inflammation and thickened lesions on the nape transformed into healthy, smooth skin with no visible bumps.

Lasting Freedom from AKN

After 10 years of suffering, Jorge is finally free from his chronic scalp inflammation. His large scalp bump is gone, and he only has minimal scarring after two AKN removal surgeries. He is finally free to live his life on his terms, thanks to the expertise of Dr. Umar. “If I found you before,” he told Dr. Umar, “I would have been here way before.”

Watch the first chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:

10 Year AKN Transformation | Full reveal at the end. #shorts #skincare

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Jorge is just one of many patients who have dealt with AKN recurrence. It’s more common than you think, so it’s important to consult with doctors who can deploy strategies to remove AKN and prevent it from coming back. If you or anyone you know is suffering from AKN, fill out our free online consultation form to be reviewed by Dr. Umar.

The post Beating AKN the Second Time: How One Patient Stopped Recurrence with Dr. Umar’s Approach appeared first on Dr. U Hair & Skin Clinic | FUE Hair Restoration, Dermatology and Laser Surgery | Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach | Dr Sanusi Umar MD.

16 Years of Misdiagnosis: How One Man Finally Found Relief from Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Dr Sanusi Umar MD — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:06:16 +0000

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) is often confused with keloids, leading to years of incorrect treatment for many patients. If you’ve lived with scalp bumps, inflammation, or recurring lesions, it might not be what you think. This is the story of Fred*, whose 16-year misdiagnosis left him in pain, until he met Dr. Sanusi Umar, a world-renowned AKN specialist.

Before and after AKN surgery: Fred’s massive scalp mass was successfully removed by Dr. Umar, revealing a clean, healed scalp and restored hairline with no signs of recurrence.

Misdiagnosed for 16 Years: Living with the Pain of Untreated AKN

For more than a decade, Fred lived with a growing mass on the back of his scalp. Many patients in similar situations have taken steroids, injectables, antibiotics, and other first-line therapies to treat what they thought was a large keloid. Our patient has even undergone surgery, but the scalp bump just kept coming back. This caused him a lot of misery and hopelessness about living a normal, pain-free life. “They didn’t even take time to figure out what it was,” Fred shared. “I have been misdiagnosed a lot of times.”

Fred’s story isn’t rare; many AKN patients are dismissed or misdiagnosed, living with pain and stigma. What set Dr. Umar apart was not just his medical skill, but his ability to recognize the problem within minutes and act with compassion.

The large scalp bump was misdiagnosed by several doctors, and their treatment plans just made the skin condition worse.

A Turning Point: Finding Dr. Sanusi Umar, AKN Specialist

Despite the failures of his previous treatments and his growing distrust of doctors, Fred still yearned to live without the painful mass. “I did a lot of research, and Dr. Pimple Popper referred me to Dr. Umar,” he said. After their first consultation, Fred was relieved to know that Dr. Umar could recognize his condition and give him AKN treatment to his chronic skin inflammation. “It was kind of funny to me because the other doctors, they act like they had never seen anything like it before,” he shared. “Within minutes of dealing with Dr. Umar, it was just like, ‘okay, I know exactly what this is.’”

Side profile view of a patient’s neck showing a large AKN bump that was previously misdiagnosed and worsened by ineffective treatments.

Dr. Umar’s Specialized Surgical Treatment for Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

Dr. Umar recommended surgical excision of the large AKN lesion, followed by wound closure using his patented Athena Suture Kit. This approach is designed to reduce skin tension and promote clean healing, especially critical in AKN-prone areas like the nape of the neck.

The Athena Suture Kit, a patented tool invented by Dr. Umar to facilitate gradual wound healing with minimal skin tearing.

Benefits of Dr. Umar’s Surgical AKN Approach:

No post-surgery injections, antibiotics, or creams required
Minimal scarring due to gradual wound closure
Natural-looking results with restored hairline
One-time treatment with 6 to 12 months of post-surgery maintenance

Life After AKN

With his scalp bump removed and his wound healed, Fred feels like he can finally live the life he had been dreaming of. “Right after the surgery, I felt much better. Just being able to move freely has been a blessing.” He was grateful not only to Dr. Umar, who had been able to put a name to his 16-year-old struggle, but also to the clinic’s staff, who showed him kindness and patience during the most difficult time of his life. “The nurse would be here to check on me. He made sure that I was comfortable,” he said. “Not only him, his staff, and his office, but everybody is very understanding, and it has been a very good experience here. They are not only good doctors, but good people.”

Fred’s massive, painful AKN scalp mass was surgically removed by Dr. Umar. With a healed scar and restored mobility, Fred can now live a normal, pain-free life.

You Don’t Have to Live with Scalp Bumps

If you or someone you know is struggling with painful or recurring scalp bumps, don’t settle for guesswork. Many so-called keloids are actually Acne Keloidalis Nuchae, and they require expert care. The Dr. U Skin and Hair Clinic has helped countless patients overcome their struggles and find solutions for their AKN. Start your journey with a free online consultation with Dr. Umar today.

Check out our YouTube short on Fred’s case:
>AKN Solved After 16 Years, No Second Treatment Needed>>

Watch AKN Bump Removed After 16 Years, You Won’t Believe #haircare #skincare #reels #shorts #akn

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of our patient.

The post 16 Years of Misdiagnosis: How One Man Finally Found Relief from Acne Keloidalis Nuchae appeared first on Dr. U Hair & Skin Clinic | FUE Hair Restoration, Dermatology and Laser Surgery | Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach | Dr Sanusi Umar MD.