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Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

I. Definition:

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common condition of the beard area occurring in African American men and other 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.

II. Causes:

* Blade shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae.

III. Treatment:

* A 100% effective treatment is to let the beard grow. Once the hairs get to be a certain length they will not grow back into the skin.
* Washing the beard area with Lever 2000 soap using a Buf-Puf helps raise the hairs from under the skin and prevents them from growing back into the skin. This should be done twice a day. Buf-Pufs are available without a prescription at your local drug store.
* Use of an electric shaver will help the condition because it does not cut as close as blades do. Some doctors recommend chemical shaving with products such as Nair or Neet to improve pseudofolliculitis barbae.
* Retin-A or a topical antibiotic solution prescribed by your doctor can help the problem.
* Shaving every other day, rather than daily, will improve pseudo-folliculitis barbae. Do not pull the skin taut when blade shaving and do not use a double or triple-edged razor.
* If you must use a blade, before shaving wash the face with a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil Lotion, then rinse. Massage the beard area gently in a circular motion with a warm, moist, soft washcloth. This will free up the hair tips so they can be cut with the shaver. The warm water will also soften the hairs, making them easier to cut. Lather the beard area with a non-irritating shaving gel such as Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel instead of cream and shave in the direction of beard growth using an Aveeno PFB Bump Fighter Razor. Both of these products should be available at your local drug store. After shaving is finished, rinse thoroughly with warm water and apply a mild moisturizing aftershave lotion such as Cetaphil Lotion.

I am not a doctor. But I played one once at Diane's house.