FOLLIQUE™ FIGHTS PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE (RAZOR BUMPS AND INGROWN HAIRS)
About Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps and ingrown hairs) is a common condition of the beard area occurring in up to 60% African American men and other people with curly hair. The problem results when highly curved hairs grow back into the skin causing inflammation and a foreign body reaction. Over time, this can cause keloidal scarring which looks like hard bumps of the beard area and neck. Shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae. The only 100% effective method of coping with PFB is to let the beard area grow unrestricted, which is neither a practical or desirable option.
Military Grooming Standards
Military standards of medical fitness and grooming standards require servicemen to maintain a clean-shaven face and neck. So, simply not shaving is not a viable option. However, as noted above, shaving often exacerbates PFB because hair follicles are sharpened by the shaving process.
Dr. Niel A Johnson, director of a military family practice clinic in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, says that their clinic sees approximately 800 patients per week, and that approximately 25 of these appointments are for PFB evaluations. That is 1 in 32 patients a week for PFB. This is just one example of how PFB affects enlisted men.
Existing Treatment Options
Besides not shaving, there are two other traditional methods of coping with PFB: (i) depilatories or "chemical" shaving; and (ii) electrolysis and/or laser hair removal. Shaving with a "chemical" such as Magic Shave or Surgex shaving powder or Nair will actually dissolve the hair, but can very easily cause chemical burns on facial skin. In addition, depilatories are not supposed to be used until after the skin is clear. PFB involved skin is not "normal," and it should be expected to be more easily irritated than normal skin. Often, the use of these chemicals will only add to skin irritation. Electrolysis and/or hair removal is a good alternative, albeit an expensive and time-consuming one. Few service men can afford the time or expense of treating PFB with laser hair removal.
FOLLIQUE™ by Follicare Research
Follicare Research has designed the FOLLIQUE™ line of products specifically for the relief of PFB. FOLLIQUE™ products cleanse and exfoliate the skin, and soften hair follicles. FOLLIQUE™ products reduce the appearance of existing razor bumps and ingrown hairs, and if used as part of a daily regimen, dramatically reduce the formation of new razor bumps and ingrown hairs. FOLLIQUE™ products can be used as a pre-shave and after-shave. FOLLIQUE™ products are easy to use. Unlike a depilatory, FOLLIQUE™ requires no mixing or preparations. FOLLIQUE™ products are liquid, not a messy cream or gel.
Many of our customers are enlisted service men. In just the last few months, we have filled orders from service men in Iraq, Germany, and Japan, as well as from men stationed at military bases across the country. They consistently tell us that ours is the best product on the market, and that they wish it was available through the DeCA Commissary system
We ship to APO's
Follicare Research will gladly ship your order to an APO address.
Links to Military Grooming Protocols
Management of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) - MacDill Instruction 44-100, 27 June 1995
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) - Marine Corps Order 6310.1B, 14 April 1982
