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]