Monthly Archives: August 2022

Multiple AKN “Razor Bumps” And What to Do About Them

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Multiple AKN bumps on the back of the head: Acne Keloidalis Nuchae, or AKN bumps, often appear in multiples. Since the condition often follows episodes of close shaving with a razor, it is called barber’s rash and AKN razor bumps, Those tiny bumps may grow eventually, and some of them may merge to form a plaque or even a tumor-like mass. Most individuals suffering from AKN will still be left with more than one bump.

That was the case for this young man of Hispanic descent. He had many small bumps scattered all over the back of his head. However, his main concerns were the two prominent lesions in the nape area. One of those was particularly big, and the patient was experiencing lots of pain and discomfort. 

Dr. Bumpinator to the Rescue

Before coming to Dr. Umar, the patient had tried to get rid of those bumps through an unsuccessful surgery. After that attempt, he researched and learned about the Bumpinator (Dr. Umar). In 2019, he came to Dr. Umar’s Manhattan clinic for consultation, where he was told his AKN consisted of Class 2 plaques and tumorous mass, and consequently decided to get the masses removed by the doctor.

Figure 1 The AKN patient had two lesions and many small bumps, which he wanted to be removed by Dr. Umar. *

 

Dr. Umar used his unique technique to surgically remove the biggest plaque on the lower part of the patient’s head. One major problem AKN removal surgeries cause is wide and abnormally shaped scars that look out of place. Using surgical techniques he developed and tools that he invented, including the Athena Suture guards, Dr. U can control the wound healing process, ultimately resulting in the minimization of the scar and the bending of the scar to a closer shape to that of a posterior hairline. Dr. U recommended the patient wait for the removal of the smaller plaque until the incisions from the first surgery healed. He also recommended that the smaller scattered satellite lesions can be addressed by laser treatment.

 

Figure 2 Dr. Umar, AKA the Bumpinator, used the Athena sutures he invented to remove the AKN plaques successfully.*

 

After the first surgery incisions had healed enough, the patient came in for his second AKN-removal surgery. This time, Dr. Umar removed the patient’s smaller plaque and the much more minor AKN bumps on his head.

Figure 3 Dr. Umar surgically removed the AKN plaques and the bumps from the patient’s head.*

 

 

Dr. Bumpinator Pools out the Laser from his Tool Box for an AKN Coup De Grace

For the final task of mopping up the remaining satellite lesions, Dr. Bumpinator resorted to his laser toolbox. The doctor figured five laser sessions would be necessary for this particular patient. Those sessions were spread apart by 6-8 weeks each. Since ingrown hairs often trigger AKN, laser is an effective treatment for AKN bumps because it destroys the roots of those trapped hair follicles. Doing so addresses the cause of AKN instead of just alleviating its symptoms. 

 

Below are the patient’s excellent AKN surgery results with long and short haircuts. 

Figure 4 Only 9  months post-surgery, the patient’s scar is already looking much better. *

 

Figure 5 1 year and 8 months after his removal surgery and the scar is healing so well, the patient feels comfortable enough to have a short haircut. *

 

The patient was pleased with how his AKN-removal surgery results turned out. Living with the painful and visually unappealing plaques and finally getting those removed brought him a fresh breath of air.

The realization that he could even have a short haircut and not worry about people seeing the AKN bumps anymore was especially thrilling to the young man. He felt like he had a renewed sense of confidence and improved self-esteem.

 

Watch Dr. Umar administer a laser treatment after surgically removing the patient’s AKN lesions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Will antibiotics treat my AKN razor bumps?

Antibiotics can help if you have developed a bacterial infection due to your AKN. Doxycycline and minocycline are examples of antibiotics that have an additional anti-inflammatory effect. Antibiotics, in general, would only result in temporary relief and are not expected to result in a long-term resolution.

You should see a specialist who would determine the best long-term curative method for your specific presentation. 

 

What are some signs of AKN worsening?

If your AKN bumps are getting bigger and/or merging, it is a clear sign that your AKN is growing in severity. The longer you wait, the more problematic the bumps will get. You should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

 

References 

  1. Umar S, Lee DJ, Lullo JJ. A Retrospective Cohort Study and Clinical Classification System of Acne Keloidalis Nuchae. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021;14(4):E61-E67.
  2. 21 Types of Skin Lesions, Pictures, Causes, and More. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-lesions. Published 2022. Accessed August 3, 2022.

 

Dr. Pimple Popper and Dr. Bumpinator Take on a Stubborn Keloid: It Takes a Village

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When a 28-year-old patient named Robert turned to Dr. Sandra Lee, AKA Dr.Pimple Popper, to remove the keloid scars on the back head and another on the left earlobe, Dr.Pimple Popper was shocked at the size and shape of the keloidal mass on his head. She quickly realized she’d need to enlist Dr. Umar, AKA Dr.Bumpinator, for help. 

Dealing with It Since 9 Years-Old

Robert’s keloid scar on the back of his head had started forming when he got his ears pierced at 18. The one on the back of his head dated even older. When he was 9-10 years old, Robert had an accident and injured his head with a glass table. After he got medical help for it and the sutures were removed, that’s when the keloid started forming. Initially, it was only the size of a penny, and Robert figured he could get it surgically removed.

However, it turned out to be more complicated than that. Robert had to get five surgeries because every time doctors would attempt to remove the keloid scars, they would come back even more aggressively and invade more of his scalp. With each time, he was losing more hope of ever being free from the keloid lesions.

Figure 1 Robert’s big keloid bump started developing when he was only 9 years old. *

 

Robert didn’t like how he would get stares and judgemental looks because of his keloids. He covered it daily by putting his braids in a ponytail and then spreading the ponytail over the bigger keloidal growth to ensure it wouldn’t be so apparent from the back. But trying to hide the keloids from the world every single day felt tiring and humiliating.  

 

A Job for Two

 

While the keloid on Robert’s ear was something Dr. Lee wouldn’t have a problem removing, she judged that the one on his back was outside the scope of her practice routine. 

It was essential to remove the mass, but an equally important objective was to ensure the keloid wouldn’t return again. 

Dr. Lee knew just who to reach out to for the job.

 

Resourceful Dr. Pimple Popper Calls Dr. Bumpinator

Dr. Sanusi Umar (aka Dr.Bumpinator) is a world-renowned dermatologist and head of scalp and hair disorders at Harbor – UCLA medical center and owner of the Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinic in Manhattan Beach California has developed several innovative surgical techniques to help sufferers of AKN and keloid bumps fight the battle effectively.

When Dr. Sandra Lee sent Dr. Umar photos of Robert’s keloids, Dr. Umar felt he’d be able to help the young man finally be free of the serpentine keloidal mass.

 

Figure 2  Dr. Umar sees Robert’s keloid in person for the first time. On the right: Dr. Sandra Lee, AKA Dr. Pimple Popper.*

 

However, when the day of the procedure arrived and both Dr. Lee and Robert – along with his girlfriend, arrived, Robert’s case proved to be particularly challenging.

“Looking at Robert’s keloid for the first time, I felt totally stumped. Robert doesn’t have any laxity on his scalp, so what will it take to make sure the keloid doesn’t come back this time” wondered Dr. Bumpinator.

Another worry about the case was how well the scar would heal and whether the scar healing itself would trigger another keloid regrowth or not. Dr. Pimple Popper explains how the wider the base of the keloid, the harder it is to cover up the wound in a way so that the scar heals in an esthetically acceptable way, but there isn’t too much tension to aggravate the area and prompt the keloid to grow back.

 

Is Sixth Time the Charm?

During the procedure, Robert was to stay awake. Dr. Umar and Dr. Sandra Lee thought there was no need to put him under general anesthesia. It would be best to keep the patient awake – he’d be aware of the procedure and could communicate any questions or concerns he might have.

Dr. Umar’s strategy for the case was to use a multitude of techniques. This was to ensure the keloid didn’t stand a chance. In other words, he strategically planned out an attack on all fronts. Dr. Umar decided to employ four advanced and unique techniques after discussing those with Robert and getting his consent.

The first technique employed for the procedure was using the Athena suture guards, invented by Dr. Bumpinator. Those guards diffuse tension so that the sutures themselves don’t put too much stress on the operation site or cut the tissue by pulling too much. If the pressure from the sutures pulling the scalp is too high, that may trigger the keloid to regrow, which Dr. Umar and Dr. Sandra Lee were trying to prevent.

Next, Dr. Umar will extract fat from Robert’s abdomen and process it into micronized form called nanofat. The nano fat would be injected into the keloid-removal wound to promote optimal healing. The stem cells in the nano fat would influence the healing process favorably. “Those stem cells influence how the area behaves for the next few weeks and promote optimal wound healing,” said Dr. Umar. 

This Could’ve Potentially Been a Problem

The third innovative technique for minimizing the chance of keloid recurring proposed by Dr. Bumpinator involves the application of an extracellular matrix. This matrix is derived from the porcine (Pig) bladder. This has the potential to minimize scar formation. However, with Dr. Pimple Popper, he decided first to consult Robert about how he feels about using pig products in his body. The two doctors are mindful of the possible religious/ethical conflicts some may have about using pig products such as the extracellular matrix called Acell. The use of porcine products may be of concern to strict observers of kosher or halal restrictions. Fortunately, Robert confirmed that he was okay with using the extracellular matrix. 

Finally, the 4th technique was to have Robert undergo radiation treatment to be administered locally to the wound created by the keloid removal. Dr. Umar and Dr. Sandra Lee decided that to add another layer of assurance that the keloid wouldn’t grow back, it would be best for Robert to undergo three rounds of radiation. Keloids are essentially non-cancerous tumors, and tumors – benign or malignant, tend to respond to X-rays. Although X-rays are not always 100% effective in keloid treatment, they significantly decrease the chance of the keloid returning. By administering radiation treatment on Robert’s post-operation site, in addition to all the other measures taken, Dr. Sanusi Umar (aka Dr. Bumpinator) felt more confident that the keloidal mass would be gone for good.

 

Patchwork with the Keloidal Skin 

After removing the keloid scar, the next task on the table was closing the wound. Since the base of Robert’s keloid was quite large, bringing the edges together for primary healing wasn’t an option. Dr. Umar decided to use the top layer of skin on the keloidal mass to cover up the wound. The challenge was that the skin taken from the mass was not flat or wide. That made cutting out the shape needed to cover up the site impossible. This was nothing to stop Dr. Bumpinator, though! He figured out a way to cut out smaller pieces of the skin to use them for his unique patchwork. 

Once done stitching up the skin pieces to cover up the wound, Dr. Umar put dressings all over the wound to hold the skin in place. 

 

Figure 3  Dr. Umar uses the skin from Robert’s keloid to cover up the big wound that’s left behind after the surgery. *

 

 

Doing the Impossible

After undergoing five failed surgeries, including a previous post-operative radiation treatment for his keloids, Robert was starting to think he would never be permanently free from the lesions. The keloids affected his self-esteem and brought down his overall quality of life. It even took a toll on his relationship with his girlfriend. Because of his intense headaches, Robert sometimes had a cross-attitude. Despite his girlfriend Nailah being a patient and understanding woman, it was putting unnecessary strain on their personal lives.

Figure 4  Robert finally got his keloid permanently removed with the help of Dr. Umar, AKA Dr. Bumpinator. *

 

“I thought my keloids would be with me forever,” says Robert. 

He explains how he had constant headaches and itching and didn’t feel good about himself. 

“Dr. Umar’s (Dr. Bumpinator) special treatments did the trick! He’s a skin wizard in my eyes”.

 

Watch the Dr. Pimple Popper episodes covering Robert’s case below.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s inside a keloid?

Keloids are formed when the skin is trying to heal itself and overproduces collagen. The site of the wound ends up with a raised scar. That scar can keep growing if the skin continues producing collagen. To answer your question, a keloid is a raised scar, so although it may ooze pus or bleed, it doesn’t have much junk inside like pimples or cysts do. 

 

Do keloids go away naturally?

Keloids tend to grow and get bigger over time. Most of the time, even when a keloid stops growing, it doesn’t stay resolved. In rare cases, more minor keloidal bumps may flatten by themselves, but they won’t go away completely. If your keloid is bothering you, you should see an expert who can remove the keloid scar for you. 

 

I have a tiny keloid. Would it be okay if I sanitize a scalpel and remove it myself?

The keloid formed because your injured skin failed to heal itself properly. It overcompensated for the injury by producing too much collagen, which then became the keloid. This means you are prone to developing keloidal bumps. Unless you’re a dermatologist, you most likely don’t know how your skin will react to you cutting off the keloid. The incision you’d have to make will essentially be registered as another injury to the skin. Unsurprisingly, this will likely trigger a bigger keloidal growth. Don’t try to remove the keloid scar yourself; seek a medical professional’s help instead.