Follicular unit extraction as a treatment for acne keloidalis nuchae

Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic, debilitating, and difficult-to-treat condition in the young male population. It is characterized by multiple papules, nodules, pustules, and plaques with keloidal consistency. It is triggered by multiple factors and the exact pathogenesis is not clear. No specific treatment guidelines are available for the same and most of the treatment options are unsatisfactory to the patients. Laser hair removal has shown significant improvement in studies; however, its efficacy reduces in the lesions with lengthier subdermal hairs in AKN, as in laser or radiotherapy, depth has to reach the bulge and bulb for targeting the hair and is not affordable by many. Surgical excision, carbon dioxide laser, and radiotherapy are other treatment options. Follicular unit extraction is a common method used in hair transplant and its easy and quicker to perform. This method can be used as a treatment for papular and plaque AKN by removal of visible embedded hair follicles and long remission of disease can be achieved.