Often mistaken as acne, Folliculitis is the name given to a group of skin disorders in which the hair follicles become inflamed creating a painful red lesion, often resulting in various painful surface pustules. The resultant lesion may be superficial or deep and may affect any area where hairs are present including face, neck, chest, back, buttocks, arms and legs.
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, or ingrown hairs, is the more common form of Folliculitis seen in skin care clinics
This concern is often suffered by men and women who shave or wax different parts of the body. Also known as ‘ingrown hairs’, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae occurs when the hair grows incorrectly due to the hair being either too coarse, curved and become ingrown. This results in inflammation surrounding the hair follicle and may cause a pustular head with much the same appearance as an acne breakout. The inflammation present in this lesion may in turn cause darkening of the skin. Mandelic acid helps lighten these areas of concern should they turn problematic.
Combatting Pseudofolliculitis Barbae with a Conditioning Alkaline Wash protocol
DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care offers a protocol called Conditioning Alkaline Wash, a professional range offered at selected DermaFix Skin Care Clinics. Performing this procedure alongside the regular shaving or waxing routine may help to soften the skin, retard hair growth and assist with improving hyperpigmentation that is associated with this condition.
A home care treatment option for the relief of symptoms associated with ingrown hairs
As a home care option, DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care recommends the use of Brightening Wipes. Formulated with Salicylic Acid and a complex of skin brighteners, Brightening Wipes provides skin resurfacing benefits, working to minimise congestion within the hair follicle thereby helping to combat the formation of pustular lesions, whilst furthermore assisting to maintain an even skin tone.
Regular exfoliation of the skin is another way to help combat Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. Exfoliation with DermaPolish enzyme rich powders helps to soften the skin, allowing the hair to push through the skin easier, thereby minimising the ingrown hair occurrence. DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care recommends incorporating Mandelic Acid into your skin care routine. This AHA is well noted for its skin resurfacing benefits and antimicrobial properties and is found in DermaBright, MD Prescriptives Mandelic Cleanser and MD Prescriptives Mandelic Toner. The use of MD Prescriptives Acne Solutions may be incorporated to prevent further clogging of pores which may exacerbate an ingrown hair concern.
For additional skin care support, you can consider including the following products from the DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care and MD Prescriptives ranges:
- DermaFix Active Cleansing Gel: an oil-free foaming cleanser that gently removes all traces of excess oil and makes up with the added benefit of mild exfoliation and deep cleansing action of salicylic acid
- DermaFix Vitamin B Cream: contains natural yeast extract (Vitamin B) to regulate oil gland production, unclogs pores and promotes scarless healing.
- DermaFix MD Prescriptives SPF 50: this daily essential offers high UVA / UVB protection, protecting the skin against environmental damage that leads to hyperpigmentation and ageing. Approved by the South African National Standard: SANS 1557:2013, ISO 24444, ISO 24443
For more information on the DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care range and the above-mentioned products, contact us directly on 0861 28 23 23 or visit our website, www.dermafix.co.za