Pseudofolliculitis Barbae: I Never Knew

I thought that all men had to worry about when they shaved were getting nicks from a razor. Men also have to worry about a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae or ingrown beard hairs. This is a condition that can be so bad that it causes bleeding, pain and disfiguring in some cases (KHOU, 2001).

What causes this condition has to do with two factors, how our hair grows and what happens when it comes in contact with a razor. According to a article from iVillage.com, when you use your razor the hair does not get cut flat but it is cut in a sharp point that is pushed down. This sharp point can pierce the skin. Since the hair is growing down and the skin is exposed it causes ingrown hairs. The body reacts to the ingrown hairs by becoming inflamed, which causes white blood cells to come into that area. That collection of white blood cells causes white head which looks like a pimple to form (Steele, 2001). Knowing this of course naturally leads you to ask how it cures this condition.

One of the newest ways to address pseudofolliculitis barbae is the use of lasers. The kind of laser that is used is the 1064-nm neodynium: YAG laser. The testing done so far shows that it works well on African American with this condition.

There are also topical medications like Retin A and glycolic acid with can be used to treat pseudofolliculitis barbae.

Once you get it treated make sure you shave correctly, because if you don’t I have heard the horror stories of what can happen afterwards.

Sources

“African American skin problems.” KHOU.com 2001 May 9 www.khou.com/stories/health/3444.html

Guttman, Cheryl. “Laser safely removes hair, reduces PFB papules.” Dermatology times April 2001 22(4): 46+

Steele, Robert. “Teenage boys and razor bumps: What it is and how to cure them.” IVillage.com 2001 www.parentsplace.com/health/adolescence/qa/0,3435,1052,00.html

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