Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (aka Razor Bumps)

by Chad Danielson, May 24, 2010 4:05 PM

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Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Have you ever experienced shaving zits? Some people call them razor bumps. Maybe you call it razor burn. Whatever it is, it’s annoying. It goes by another name, too:  pseudofolliculitis barbae. It’s a strange breed of acne or an acne complication that is altogether annoying and painful.

What’s in a name?

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a pretty long name, but each part of it has a meaning.

Pseudo = false

follicle = hair

itis = inflammation

Thus, you’ve got false-hair-inflammation as the definition for the first word. Barbae is just another word for “beard.” Pseudofolliculitis barbae is the irritation of the skin that is caused by shaving. It doesn’t just happen to the beard. It can happen on either men or women wherever hair is shaved or plucked.

The cause of pseudofolliculitis barbae

Regardless of whether you shave, pluck, wax, laser, or use nair on it, the hair will grow back. Hair that has been removed, however, may not grow the same way it originally grew. Sometimes, hair may actually grow beneath a layer of skin. When hair grows inside the skin, painful bumps are likely to result. The problem is particularly difficult for those with tightly curled hair, since the hair is more likely to remain close and/or within the skin.

How to avoid pseudofolliculitis barbae

There are several ways to avoid pseudofolliculitis barbae. First, you can just quit shaving. Grow a beard and let it just grow wild. Or, as an in-between option you can shave less frequently. The more you shave, the more likely it is that shaved hair will turn into pseudofolliculitis barbae. Less frequent shaving may prevent the problem. Perhaps one of the best options is to avoid shaving too close. Shaving “both ways” or presssing hard with a razor is going to put you at risk for pseudofolliculitis barbae. Try using an electric razor and just shave lightly. Whenever you shave, use a shaving powder, or shaving cream. The thicker, the better.