You can control Pseudofolliculitis Barbae!
Those razor bumps or shaving bumps you get after shaving have a special name...Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. I know, it's a mouthful, but let's take a look at this type of acne and see what you can do to control it. Pseudofolliculitis Barbae also called "razor or shaving bumps", PFB or Pseudofolliculitis takes place during shaving, plucking or tweezing curly hair. Pseudofolliculitis usually occurs in African American Men, but anyone who has curly hair is a fair target. Pseudofolliculitis usually occurs on the face and neck areas, but can take place on any area where curly hair grows back into your skin, including your legs, underarm and bikini area. When curly hair begins to grow back, it does not grow straight up and out of the hair follicle. Instead, it begins to curve back down into your skin. It then becomes trapped in the follicle with bacteria, sebum (oil), causing swelling and irritation. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent Pseudofolliculitis Barbae.
Throw away your double/triple blade razors… by using an electric razor, your shave is not as close as a razor blade. Yeah, you may have some stubble, but at least you are not shaving so close that you give your hair a chance to grow back in at a curve, causing Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. If you are accustomed to shaving with a double or triple blade….stop! Those razors are made for a super close shave. Their blades actually lift the hairs up and out of the follicles delivering a cut below your skin! Yikes! When you skin naturally begins to heal itself, it grows over that follicle opening. I’m sure you know what happens next. When your hair starts to grow back, it has to push through your skin…resulting in inflammation and irritation-usually
papules
and
pustules.
Prior to shaving use a warm cloth over the area you are about to shave, do this for about 5 minutes. By doing this, you allow your skin to become hydrated-thus making your skin more flexible. The warmth from the water causes your blood vessels to widen, resulting in an increase of blood supply to your skin.
• Get ready and lather up
• Single stroke only Make certain that you pass over your skin only one time. With one pass of your razor this too cuts down on irritation to your skin.
• Shave in the opposite direction I know it sounds unusual, but by shaving in the opposite direction, your shave isn’t as close. Remember, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae occurs when you shave so close that you are actually pulling the hair up and then cutting below your skin’s surface. By not shaving so close you do not give the hair a chance to grow back in, in the opposite direction. Once at a certain length, your curly hair will not grow in the opposite direction.
After shaving and rinsing, blot or air dry your skin, apply a good acne toner. Acne toner will kill acne causing bacteria and eliminate any excess sebum (oil) that will contribute to acne. Finally apply a good bacteria acne fighting treatment. For this type of acne, usually papules and pustules, you’d do well with an OTC Acne Treatment that contains Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid or even Glycolic Acid. With dark skin tones, you may be left with hyper pigmentation (darker skin). You’ll want to apply Hydroquinone (skin lighter) to the discolored areas, this will even out your skin tone.
You may want to consider Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis. The down fall to these procedures are…they can be a bit pricey and in most cases your health insurance will not cover the cost. However, if you can afford it, these procedures have great potential in eliminating Pseudofolliculitis Barbae in a couple of visits. I know it may seem like a lot of work, but once you get a routine down, you will be fine. If you feel your Pseudofolliculitis is not improving or is getting worse, you may want to consider making an appointment with your Dermatologist. He or she will have stronger Acne Treatment Medication and may suggest
Oral Acne Medication for your Pseudofolliculitis Barbae.
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Make sure to use shaving cream, this allows further softening of the hair and allows your (single blade only) razor to gently glide across your skin. This helps to reduce the chance of unwanted irritation.
