Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

• Inflammatory condition typically in men of African descent, especially with tightly curled hair
• Distal end of curved hair penetrates epidermis and dermis after being shaved → subsequent foreign-body inflammatory reaction
• Inflammatory papules, pustules and sometimes abscesses in beard region and anterolateral neck; may form hypertrophic scars and keloids
• Treatment: topical or systemic antibiotics, topical corticosteroid, topical clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide; prevention with clippers, chemical depilatories and glycolic acid lotion