Those Unkissable Beard Bumps – Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Smooth faces are more kissable. That’s no surprise. Just ask any woman–or any man who battles beard bumps between every shave.
Guys, if you’re dealing with a rash of angry red dots every time you finish shaving, know that there are ways you can help prevent those beard bumps. The first step is knowing what they really are, and what causes them.
Those little red pimple-like bumps have an impressive name: pseudofolliculitis barbae. No wonder we just call them beard bumps. It may be a tongue-twister, but it’s curable. They’re actually hairs that have curled back into the hair follicle, and started growing beneath the surface of your skin. These rebel hairs cause your hair follicles to become irritated and inflamed. They probably cause you to get irritated, too. Ingrown hairs on your face can be a real pain in the cheeks.
Here’s how they start: any time we remove hair, we’re at risk for getting ingrown hairs. No matter what we use to get rid of unwanted hair, that risk is always there. But because most men shave their faces, pseudofolliculitis barbae usually starts with their razor.
Where shaving is involved, a super-close shave may feel nice but, as you know, it doesn’t always wind up looking so great. That’s because some of the hair can be cut so short that the tip winds up trapped beneath the skin’s surface. That’s how ingrown hairs are born. Instead of growing out straight and taking a smooth path through the opening of the hair follicle, the hair curls backward. If you look closely at your razor bumps, you may even be able to see the tip of the hair, curled inside the hair follicle.
Men with coarse, curly hair are most likely to wind up with pseudofolliculitis barbae, but any man who removes his facial hair has the potential for winding up with beard bumps.
The keys to getting a smooth, clear face include taking a little extra time to prepare for shaving.
Simple steps-like applying a warm, moist washcloth to your face-can help soften your skin and your facial hair. Using a quality shaving cream or lotion can also moisturize your skin and hair; the best products will help protect your skin, too. Shaving with the grain of your facial hair helps to prevent cutting the hair so short that the tip is below the skin’s surface. Another good way to reduce the risk of razor bumps is to exfoliate. Exfoliating may sound like a chick thing to do, but it does make a difference! And you can count on being thanked for taking the time to get a smooth, kissable face.
Maura DiRossi – Author Maura DiRossi has worked in the health care profession for more than 20 years. Her focus is on wellness and health promotion. She is …