PFB is usually characterized by small, painful papules and pustules, but it may progress to scarring and keloid formation in some individuals. Most patients can successfully manage PFB by altering their grooming habits and using available topical and systemic treatment options.
If results of other anti-PFB treatments are unsatisfactory, surgical intervention with laser therapy provides a viable option that could result in a cure. Pseudofolliculitis barbae PFB informally referred to as razor bumps is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin condition that develops primarily as a result of shaving. Usually occurring in the beard area in men, PFB is characterized by painful, pruritic, erythematous papules and pustules that are typically 2 to 5 mm in diameter.
PFB can occur in any ethnic group; however, individuals with tightly coiled hair e. Some women may develop PFB, especially those with hirsutism or those who routinely shave their bikini area. The pathogenesis of PFB is thought to be multifactorial. However, transfollicular penetration and extrafollicular penetration have been identified as the two primary processes responsible for the initial development of the PFB lesion FIGURE 1.
Extrafollicular penetration is likely to develop after the use of a single-blade razor that cuts the hair shaft at the surface of the epidermis. The freshly cut hair, now with a sharpened tip, curls back into the epidermis a short distance away from the follicle and continues to grow downward, penetrating the epidermal layer.
Similar to what takes place with transfollicular penetration, a foreign-body inflammatory reaction ensues, causing pain, inflammation, and the classic PFB lesion. PFB can be difficult to treat; however, with appropriate grooming techniques and available treatment options, the condition can be successfully managed in most patients.
