Pili multigemini

Pili multigemini, also known as "compound hairs,"^[2] is a malformation characterized by the presence of bifurcated or multiple divided hair matrices and papillae, giving rise to the formation of multiple hair shafts within the individual follicles.^[3][4]

Pili multigemini
Other names	Pili gemini[1]
An extracted pilus multigeminus with three distinct hairs growing from the same source.
Specialty	Dermatology

Description

The name describes a condition where several separate hair fibers bunch together and emerge from the skin through a single hair canal. Pathology shows that deep in the skin several dermal papillae are closely situated with each producing a fiber, but these separate hair follicle bulbs combine into one hair canal towards the skin surface. Folliculitis can sometimes be associated with this condition.^[2]

Treatment

Electrolysis will permanently remove pili multigemini. Depilating laser treatment has been suggested to improve symptomatic pili multigemini.^[5]

See also

• Pili bifurcati
• List of cutaneous conditions