Beard bumps / Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is most common on the face, but it can also happen on other parts of the body where hair is shaved or plucked, especially areas where hair is curly and the skin is sensitive, such as genital shaving.

After a hair has been shaved, it begins to grow back. Curly hair tends to curl into the skin instead of straight out the follicle, leading to an inflammation reaction. PFB can make the skin look itchy and red, and in some cases, it can even look like pimples. These inflamed papules or pustules can form especially if the area becomes infected.

The Nd:Yag laser has proved very effective in reducing the severity of PFB. The Nd:Yag laser achieves long lasting or permanent hair reduction by using conductive thermal diffusion to the melanin contained in the hair shaft. This causes lethal damage to the hair bulb and bulge area. The laser’s wavelength is safe and effective, with its greater penetration allowing an increased ratio of hair bulb to epidermal heating in patients.