Research in Brief: Survey of hair care practices in various ethnic and racial pediatric populations

Pediatr Dermatol. 2022 May;39(3):494-496. doi: 10.1111/pde.14958. Epub 2022 Mar 3.

Abstract

Medicated shampoos are part of the standard care of seborrheic dermatitis (SD), yet hair-washing practices can vary in frequency, which could impact treatment effectiveness and therapeutic benefit. The goal of this study is to understand common hair-washing practices in pediatric patients, with focus on Black children with SD, through online survey. Patients identifying as Black or mixed race were more likely to use medicated washes weekly or less frequently than White patients (62.5% vs. 30.8%). It is important that clinicians understand Black- and mixed-race hair care practices to provide better clinical guidance on the usage of medicated shampoos, especially for the treatment of SD.

Keywords: hair care; hair disorders; seborrheic dermatitis.

MeSH terms

  • Black People
  • Child
  • Dermatitis, Seborrheic* / drug therapy
  • Ethnicity*
  • Hair
  • Humans