Pseudofolliculitis Barbae Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Pseudofolliculitis barbae also called as razor bumps which is s a general condition of the beard area occurring in up to 60% African American men and other people with curly hair. It is the "acne-like" breakout commonly referred to as "razor bumps" or "shaving bumps". As naturally curly hairs begin to grow back after shaving, waxing or plucking, they get trapped inside the follicle, resulting in irritation and swelling. The results - inflammation in the hair follicle. Anyone can get shaving bumps, but they're more common in people with curly hair. The problem results when highly curved hairs grow back into the skin causing inflammation and a foreign body reaction. Over time, this can cause keloidal scarring which looks like hard bumps of the beard area and neck. Shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae.

What are the causes of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae ?

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is caused due to the carving back of hairs into the skin it is due to shortness of the hair as when we shave ends of the hairs get sharpen like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae. This is common in people which have curly hairs.

Treatment of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Treatment of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae:

• Initially, let the beard grow for 30 days to eliminate ingrown hairs.
• If one must use a blade, water soften the beard first with a hot, wet washcloth for 5 minutes
• Use a polyester skin-cleansing pad twice a day. Or, use a moisturising shaving foam.
• Glycolic acid lotion 8% is effective (Alpha-hydrox, Neo-Strata, others).
• Antibiotic gels (Benzamycin, Cleocin-T) or oral antibiotics are also used.
• When you resume shaving, use a single blade razor. Double blade razors cut the hairs too short allowing them to grow in.
• Shave in the direction of the follicle, not against it.
• Do not stretch the skin.
• At night, apply a lotion containing glycolic acid to the affected areas. This exfoliates the surface skin cells and reduces the likelihood of new inflamed spots.
• Consider laser hair removal
• Electrolysis and laser hair removal
  

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