What is pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)?
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae – pronounced – SOO-doh-fuh-LIK-yoo-LY-tis BAR-bee. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), commonly referred to as razor bumps, shaving bumps, or ingrown hairs, is a common, chronic (lasting a long time) skin condition of the hair follicle caused by ingrown hairs producing a “foreign body inflammatory reaction”. This can become unsightly and painful, and very distressing for the affected individual. Who Gets Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)? 45 to 85 percent of black men have some form of PFB. PFB primarily affects men and women of African American and Hispanic origin who have tightly curled hair and who shave closely on a regular basis or tweeze hairs frequently, although any individual with curly hair may be affected. It is rather rare and usually far less severe in Caucasian males. PFB may also be seen in women of all races who wax or shave the axillary (pertaining to the armpit) and pubic area (this is known as pseudofolliculitis pubis, a similar condition occurri
