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Where looking good is understood!
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
Six weeks of winter down with six to go. With the days still short and sun exposure limited, now is a great time to schedule laser-based procedures for those sun-exposed areas. This is an opportune time to consider laser hair removal, which brings us to this month’s topic- Pseudofolliculitis barbae or “razor bumps.”
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a skin condition that can occur in any area that is closely shaved. This condition is often referred to as “razor bumps” or “shave bumps”. This medical condition occurs more frequently in people who have naturally coarse, curly hair. When a hair is shaved, it may drop below the skin surface and grow into the surrounding skin instead of coming up through the pore. The result is an inflammatory condition, which can cause itching with resultant scratching and bacterial superinfection. The inflammation causes swelling, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and scarring. The appearance of the affected skin is less than appealing and makes shaving the area even more difficult.
One method of treatment includes not shaving and treating the inflammation and/or infection. Tips for those who must shave include: 1) letting the hair grow a quarter inch prior to shaving to reduce the effect of the hair to curl, 2) softening the skin prior to shaving with warm compresses and using lubricating shaving gels, and 3) using special single blade razors that don’t cause the shaved hair to retract below the skin surface. The use of a multiple bladed razor can, in fact, make things worse.
Any embedded or ingrown hairs must be pulled above the surface of the skin. Depilatories may be used instead of shaving but the hair shaft may grow inward as the hair comes to the skin surface during regrowth. Topical steroids are used to treat inflammation. Topical or oral antibiotics may be used to treat infection. Chemical exfoliants can help the condition by “softening” the skin and include topical tretinoin (Retin A) and topical chemical peel acids like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Topical eflornithine (Vaniqa) applied twice daily can prevent hair growth. Once the medication is stopped the hair grows back.
The only permanent cure for Pseudofolliculitis barbae is keeping the hair length above the surface of the skin or getting rid of the hair entirely. Electrolysis is one method of hair removal but can be expensive, prolonged and painful. Ineffective electrolysis can also exacerbate the condition. Surgical removal of the skin containing the hair follicles is not an acceptable treatment in this day and age of laser based therapy.
The introduction of laser hair removal has revolutionized the treatment of Pseudofolliculitis barbae. Laser hair removal is a safe, effective and cost efficient treatment method. Laser hair removal is most effective on black or brown hair. The treatment is mildly uncomfortable at most for one to two seconds. There is usually a noticeable difference after the first procedure, and after 3-5 treatments, 70-90% of the hair should be eliminated. Some patients require a touch up once or twice a year.
Our monthly newsletter has drawn to a close. We hope you enjoyed the information.
Sincerely,
The Staff at Integrated Skin Solutions- “Where looking good is understood!”
7424 NW River Park Drive (Hwy 9)
Parkville, MO 64152-5028
816.505.5550 Fax 816.505.4550
www.integratedskin.com
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