After a successful Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) removal surgery, Adrian found himself free from both physical discomfort and the emotional weight that had followed him for nearly a decade. The surgery marked a turning point for his entire outlook on life. Where he once felt self-conscious and limited, he now feels open, optimistic, and ready to explore the possibilities ahead. The change has been both refreshing and grounding, allowing him to finally focus on his future and define his goals without the constant shadow of AKN.
Now free from his AKN, Adrian has been able to indulge in his creative pursuits and hopes to make a career out of video editing.
Pursuing Creative Opportunities
Adrian has been able to expand his horizons beyond pizza delivery, and he’s now working as a video editor for a YouTuber, applying his creativity and technical skills to a field he’s always been passionate about. “I feel like over time, I’ll be able to work that to a point where I can make that my actual career,” he shared on The BaldCast. This work reinforces his confidence. It is proof that when the burden of AKN was lifted, his true potential could finally shine through. While Adrian continues to take things one step at a time, he does so with a newfound sense of purpose. For the first time in years, he’s excited about what’s next.
Adrian now carries himself with confidence at work, and his coworkers view him as much more reliable.
Become A Mentor
Because of his newfound sense of confidence, Adrian has been able to lead and guide his colleagues to become much better at their work. He carries himself with pride and confidence, and even his coworkers recognize this change and see him as a more reliable person. He’s able to answer their questions with confidence and has become an example to the people he is leading.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the tenth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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 road to Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) removal surgery wasn’t an easy one for Adrian. Beyond the emotional and physical challenges of living with his condition, there was a heavy financial weight to carry. Every day living expenses, debt from years of failed treatments, and the cost of the surgery with world-renowned AKN specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar all loomed over him. But more than anything, Adrian wanted to be free from the limitations that AKN had imposed on his life. Determined and hopeful, he made a decision: no matter how long it took, he would face his financial obstacles head-on to make his healing possible.
Adrian worked overtime delivering pizzas to be able to afford his life-changing surgery with Dr. Sanusi Umar.
60-Hour Work Weeks
After reviewing his finances and mapping out a plan, Adrian realized there was a path forward if he was willing to make sacrifices. By working overtime for several months, he could save enough to cover both the trip to Los Angeles and the life-changing AKN removal surgery with Dr. Umar. Sixty-hour workweeks became his new normal. He delivered pizzas late into the night, pushing through exhaustion with one clear goal in mind: freedom. While it was grueling, he never lost sight of what was waiting for him at the finish line: a chance at a normal life.
Adrian shares with pride how he was able to afford his surgery by making sacrifices and working diligently.
A Necessary Sacrifice
The long hours left him feeling exhausted, but Adrian stayed focused. Each paycheck represented another step toward his transformation. “Ever since I became an adult, I’ve always been someone who’s been willing to work extra hours,” he said on The BaldCast. His story is a reminder that sometimes the road to healing isn’t just physical, it’s paved with sacrifice and a belief that life can be better.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the ninth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
For eight years, Adrian has lived with a massive Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) mass on the back of his scalp. The AKN dictated how he dressed, where he went, and how close he allowed people to get to him. It even limited the kinds of jobs he felt comfortable pursuing. Both the physical and mental weight of the lesion kept him from being his true self. But now, after a successful AKN removal surgery performed by world-renowned specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar, Adrian’s life has taken on new meaning. For the first time in years, he’s free to enjoy the little things most people take for granted.
Adrian shares how being able to lie comfortably on his back has completely changed his lifestyle. He is now well-rested and ready to face the day.
The Small Things
When Dr. Umar asked Adrian what had changed most since his surgery and recovery, Adrian’s answer was simple: he could finally lie comfortably on his back. It was something most people wouldn’t think twice about, but for Adrian, it represented peace, rest, and relief from years of discomfort. Before his surgery, nights were filled with tossing and turning, unable to find a position that didn’t press painfully against the scalp bump. Now, he wakes up feeling rested, energized, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.
Now that he is free from his AKN scalp bump, Adrian has shifted perspectives and is able to take what the day has to throw at him.
A New Outlook on Life
With his AKN lesion gone, Adrian has stepped into a new chapter of his life. “I just feel like because I’ve gotten rid of this problem, I can now attack the way I live my life with a way more clear head,” he told Dr. Umar on The BaldCast. What once felt like small, unreachable joys have become part of his everyday life.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the eighth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
This was the moment Adrian had been waiting for for eight long years: the day he would finally wake up without Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) weighing on him. Together, Adrian and internationally recognized AKN specialist Dr. Sanusi Umar revealed on The BaldCast the results of his surgery and recovery process. The transformation was remarkable. The large, keloid-like bump that once defined his daily struggle was gone. In its place was a smooth scalp with minimal scarring and a natural, even hairline.
Before and after Adrian’s AKN removal surgery with Dr. Umar.
Change Inside and Out
With his AKN lesion gone and his scalp fully healed, Adrian has become a completely renewed version of himself. He’s now pursuing a new career in video editing, finally exploring the creative opportunities he once thought were out of reach. The emotional freedom of living without AKN also motivated him to embrace a healthier lifestyle. He’s lost over 50 pounds and describes feeling lighter, both physically and mentally.
Adrian shares how he now feels comfortable going out, socializing, and pursuing opportunities that were once out of reach.
No Longer Hiding
Adrian’s fashion sense has developed as well, now that he no longer relies on beanies and hoodies to hide his scalp bump. Now, he wears regular caps with pride because nothing needs covering anymore. His personality, once riddled by self-doubt, now shines through. “I can be more of myself,” he told Dr. Umar on The BaldCast. “It’s a great feeling to have, and it’s all thanks to you.”
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the fifth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
Despite years of failed attempts to treat his Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) with corticosteroids, antibiotics, and injectable treatments, Adrian never let go of the hope that one day he could live free from the weight of his condition. He had endured countless disappointments, but deep down, he believed that there had to be someone who truly understood his struggle. That moment came when his family encouraged him to seek out expert care, leading him to the world’s foremost AKN specialist, Dr. Sanusi Umar.
Adrian shares on The BaldCast how his parents were there for him for every step of his AKN treatment at the Dr. U Skin and Hair Clinic.
A Chance Referral
After encouragement from his father, Adrian reached out to a local specialist in New Mexico. The doctor recognized the complexity of his case and referred him to Dr. Umar in California, who is known internationally for his work in AKN treatment. With renewed hope, Adrian began saving up and soon boarded a plane with his parents to Los Angeles, determined to find relief and to finally see the possibility of life without constant pain and embarrassment.
Dr. Umar recognizes Adrian’s resilience when it came to working hard and finding solutions to get rid of his AKN for good.
The Importance of Family
Throughout this entire journey, Adrian’s parents stood firmly by his side. His father’s encouragement and his mother’s unwavering support kept him strong and grounded. His mother accompanied him through every step of the process, from consultations to surgery, offering reassurance when he needed it most. Though Adrian carried apprehension about yet another treatment, this time felt different. Surrounded by the family and Dr. Umar, he allowed himself to believe that this might truly be the end of his long struggle with AKN.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the sixth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
After eight years of struggling with his large scalp bump, Adrian finally took the first step and did what he could to help himself. He had seen numerous specialists in the hopes of getting rid of his Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) for good. He had tried first-line therapies like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and injectable treatments, but they all proved to be ineffective. These discouraging results caused Adrian to fall deeper into isolation and despair.
Adrian was paranoid about how people perceived his AKN scalp bump. He felt that he could not achieve his career goals because his skin condition held him back and negatively affected his confidence.
Aspirations Out Of Reach
The lack of success of these treatments led Adrian to believe that he would never be successful in other aspects of his life. He wanted to explore more career opportunities, like creative gigs in tech and video editing. But he couldn’t bear the thought of putting himself out there in that way. The professions he was interested in were very social, and you had to have a lot of confidence to pull them off. Despite his desire for change, he knew he was too self-conscious to just go for it. Slowly, his aspirations in life started to fade away. It felt like he would never be able to escape the insecurities his large scalp bump caused, and he became a prisoner of his own self-loathing.
The AKN mass didn’t just affect Adrian’s self-worth, it also affected his relationships, career, and finances. The failed first-line therapies, like injectables, steroids, and medications, made him feel like he was going to be a failure at everything.
The Mounting Cost of Failed Treatments
The failed treatments didn’t just hurt his ego, they also hurt his pockets. Every new cream, antibiotic course, steroid injection, and clinic visit meant another out-of-pocket expense, and while some offered brief relief, none delivered lasting healing. Those financial setbacks compounded the emotional ones, making Adrian feel trapped between his desire to get better and the limits of what he could afford. Slowly, the mounting costs, the repeated appointments, and the constant frustration began to erode his resilience. He was dangerously close to accepting a future defined by loneliness and defeat.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the fifth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) is a debilitating skin condition that causes thick, keloid-like bumps to appear on the scalp and neck. Because it’s so visible, people with AKN often suffer both physical discomfort and mental hardship. It can be difficult to reconcile living a normal life with large, heavy lesions literally and psychologically weighing you down.
The large AKN mass on the back of Adrian’s scalp caused him to isolate himself from others. His inner voice told him he wasn’t worth anything in life.
Adrian’s Critical Inner Voice
This is how Adrian had felt during the eight years he had lived with the AKN mass on the back of his head. He was paranoid that people would think he was disgusting or contagious, but most of these negative thoughts were all in his head. “The people I did interact with were pretty nice about the whole thing,” he admitted. “They usually ask questions of concern or general interest. Most of the negative feelings were from myself, if anything.”
Adrian and Dr. Sanusi Umar discuss his negative feelings about his Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) lesion on The Baldcast. They’ve realized that Adrian’s inner voice is where all his negative self-talk comes from.
Projecting Negativity Onto Others
The real burden of AKN wasn’t just the lesion, it was Adrian’s inner voice. It told him he was a freak, that people were staring, that he didn’t belong. Even when friends reached out or coworkers showed concern, the shame ran so deep that he couldn’t let their kindness in. He had built a wall, not from their judgment, but from his own. And slowly, that wall started cutting him off from the people who cared most. He realized that he couldn’t live like this any longer, and he began to take the first step to getting help by seeking professionals who could aid in his skin condition.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the fourth chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
After years of struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), Adrian slowly became a recluse. The large, raised bump on the back of his scalp was a constant source of shame. At work, he wore beanies and hoodies to conceal the lesion, hoping his colleagues wouldn’t notice. On the outside, he appeared to manage, but in reality, the burden was overwhelming. He began to decline invitations and avoid gatherings with family and friends. What started as small excuses eventually grew into complete isolation.
Dr. Sanusi Umar examines the large Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) mass on the back of Adrian’s head. It has negatively affected Adrian’s confidence and self-worth for eight years.
Retreating to Isolation
The AKN lesion on his scalp eroded his confidence and sense of self-worth. Though no one ever openly mocked or rejected him, Adrian projected his own negative feelings onto others, convinced that people saw him as disgusting. The fear of judgment, even when it wasn’t there, was enough to push him further into solitude. For Adrian, staying away from people felt safer than facing the possibility of being misunderstood or pitied.
Adrian projected his own negative feelings onto other people, despite the support he had from his loved ones.
The Turning Point
What once was a skin condition became a daily mental and emotional battle, shaping his choices, relationships, and sense of identity. It influenced the way he dressed, the people he surrounded himself with, and even the opportunities he allowed himself to pursue. Eventually, after years of retreating into himself, Adrian reached a powerful realization: he couldn’t keep living this way. That moment of resolve marked a turning point. It was the spark that prompted him to seek help, to envision a life beyond the constant burden of AKN, and to take the first steps toward genuine change.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the third chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
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.
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.
Daily life for Adrian, who had suffered through Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) for eight long years, was both difficult and discouraging. The skin condition didn’t just cause a large, painful lesion at the back of his head; it also weighed heavily on his confidence and mental well-being. Every day, he had to find ways to hide his scalp bump before leaving his home. His job required him to be surrounded by people, so he had to rely on beanies and hoodies to conceal his AKN and avoid unwanted stares or questions. He avoided getting too close to his coworkers, skipped photos, and even turned down group outings.
Adrian would hide the large Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) mass with beanies and hoodies, despite feeling uncomfortable in them.
When Disguises Don’t Work
Yet, people around him still pointed out his odd fashion choices. They would question why he would wear beanies in the hot summer, and he would reply with, “I’m feeling cold.” Every excuse he made just dug him deeper into his shame. How could he let anyone know that his scalp felt like a burden he had to carry every day?
Adrian would hide the large Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN) mass with beanies and hoodies, despite feeling uncomfortable in them.
AKN’s Influence On Daily Life
Adrian’s everyday battle was extremely upsetting to him. On the outside, he did his best to appear “normal,” blending in at work and in public spaces, but privately, he carried the heavy weight of pain, shame, and frustration. What most people saw as just a scalp bump was, for Adrian, a constant reminder of how different he felt from everyone else. AKN wasn’t just a disease, it was a daily struggle that shaped the way he saw himself and how he thought the world saw him.
Watch Adrian’s Story
🎥 Watch the second chapter of Adrian’s transformation here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with Acne Keloidalis Nuchae (AKN), don’t wait. Early intervention and expert care can change lives.
Fill out our free online consultation form to have your case personally 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.
