Men, please take note: laser hair removal is one solution for ingrown beard hair. Most men suffering from pseudofolliculitis barbae know that the condition is painful. Reason being the ‘mechanical irritation’ causes inflammation.
Ingrown hairs are formed thus: it can happen when a hair that’s already grown out impacts the skin and punctures it. The sharp tip of the hair left behind after shaving can snag on your skin while beginning to grow out of the follicle. And in cases where the pores are clogged by dead skin, the hair can turn around as it grows. It then presses back into the follicle or surrounding skin.
While
an infected ingrown hair cyst starts off as a regular ingrown hair, acne cysts
are caused by a combination of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells that
accumulate deep under the hair follicle. Of course, the solution is good
hygiene practices. Give your face a good scrub at least twice daily.
Know the rules of
beard care
It
certainly helps to know the basic rules of good beard care:
Always
shave with a sharp blade
Use
the blade once only
After
applying shaving cream, wait for five minutes before shaving
And
shave only in the direction of beard hair growth.
The good news
However, because the condition is genetic, you might want to consider laser hair removal. The ingrown hairs are reduced significantly in one or two sessions. After six sessions, the result is quite dramatic and you might not ever have to shave again.
Men
suffering from pseudofolliculitis barbae
will be pleased to know that the condition improves with age when the hairs
become softer.
Alternatively, dermatologist Dr Jonathan Smith recommends systemic (antibiotics, especially tetracyclines) and topical (keratolytics and antimicrobials) therapeutic modalities for a short-term treatment.
