Folliculitis, or ingrown hairs, is a dermatological condition characterized by the skin’s response to trapped hairs.
When men suffer from this irritating condition in the beard and neck area, it’s known as “pseudofolliculitis barbae” aka “ingrown hairs.”
The phenomenon of ingrown hairs occurs when shaving curly hair, causing the hairs to curl back and the sharp tips to penetrate the skin.
That penetrations results in inflammation and bumps, commonly called razor bumps. Folliculitis is common in people of African descent but can affect individuals of other ethnicities as well.
The best treatment for folliculitis is laser hair removal. For darker skin, Nd:YAG or diode lasers are recommended as they are safer and have a lower risk of burns.
Topical keratolytics like retinoids, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids can effectively treat ingrown hairs. Daily use of glycolic acid and chemical peels, such as glycolic and salicylic acid peels, is also beneficial.
