Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common condition affecting a man’s beard area, specifically men with coarse curly hair. The hair curves back and creates an ingrown hair affect.
Hair follicles and surrounding skin become inflammed bumps, may feel irritating.
The razor bumps are caused when the curved hairs grow back into the skin causing inflammation and a foreign body reaction, similar to an ingrown hair. Shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear so the hair curves back into the skin causing razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae). Over time, this can cause keloidal scarring which is permanent scarring which looks like hard bumps of the beard area and neck.
