The skin condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae is simply a fancy term for razor bumps, a condition where hair grows back into the skin after shaving. This, in turn, causes the body's immune system to react as if the body was invaded by a foreign object, and an inflammation and eventually hard bumps (keloidal scarring) form at the site. The condition, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, occurs in up to 60 percent of African American men, and is also common in people with curly hair. The condition can be treated using a variety of approaches.
Step 1
Use moisturizers. Before shaving, apply a preshave solution such as HydroGlide, which is available at drug stores such as Walgreens, to soften the hairs. Use lubricating shaving gels instead of regular shaving creams. Shave in the direction of the hairs' growth. Follow up with a moisturizing aftershave.
Step 2
Wash the affected areas twice a day with antibacterial soap. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can be an effective home treatment for the condition. Alternatively--or in addition to--apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the razor bumps.
Step 3
Apply medications for stubborn cases of razor bumps. NeoStrata and Alpha Hydrox, among others, are brand names for glycolic acid lotions, which may alleviate bad cases of razor bumps. Prescription antibiotic gels, such as Benzamycin or Cleocin-T, and oral antibiotics can also be used. Make sure to discuss these treatment options with your doctor, as different skin types will need different medical approaches.
Tips and Warnings
- As a preventive, use an electric razor rather than a blade. Shaving with a blade makes curly hairs sharp, making it easier for them to curl back and penetrate the skin as they grow. Electric razors do not shave as close to the skin as blades do and do not make shaved hairs sharp, thereby avoiding the problem.
- Do not stretch your skin while shaving to avoid razor bumps.
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