Shaving is one way of taking care of yourself. Unfortunately, sometimes it is also the cause of ugly appearance and skin disease.
This happens when you develop folliculitis following shaving. It starts with red pustules or papules located on the chin or on the upper lip. It burns and itches. Within a few days, the number of pustules multiplies.
On average, men have around 50 beard hairs. They grow at a rate of one millimeter every 000 hours and are much thicker than the rest of the hair. The hair follicle is the bag in the skin from which the hair grows and in which the hair bulb is located. From birth, we have a constant number of bellows.
Inflammation of follicle
Very often the mouth of the hair follicle protrudes slightly above the skin, especially in case of thicker stubble. Then shaving becomes very dangerous. The razor blade damages the protruding part of the bellows mechanically. Then it becomes infected with bacteria, most often staphylococcus, that prowl on our skin. The body begins to defend itself, sets off the alarm and inflammation is ready. There is an itchy pimple with a red border, often pierced with hair. This does not look good, and the worst thing is that the number of pustules may increase because the infection spreads to other follicles the next time you shave.
Visit to a dermatologist
The pustules should not be squeezed out. We cannot cure folliculitis by ourselves. You need to seek the help of a specialist: a dermatologist, family doctor or specialist in aesthetic medicine. If the inflammation is extensive, it is best to take an antibiogram, that is, to collect bacteria from infected follicles and check in the laboratory which antibiotics are deadly for them. Then the doctor will prescribe a suitable ointment and after two weeks we have peace. You can stop shaving for a few days and let your skin rest. Unfortunately, inflammation may become chronic. Purulent pustules create large patches that harden and leave unsightly, deep scars on the cheeks and chin even after treatment. Then, apart from treatment with ointments, antibiotics are also taken orally. In this case, it is better to shave with a razor with a disposable blade.
A safe shave
Family doctor and specialist in aesthetic medicine, Anna Nejno explains that, apart from observing the rules of hygiene, it is difficult to talk about prophylaxis. – A good-quality razor, hair-softening foam and a disinfecting and soothing liquid that soothes irritations after shaving – is a must-have for every man. Doctor Nejno also reminds that a razor should have only one owner. Sharing a razor with a wife or friend can lead to contamination with various bacteria. It is also very important to clean the razor after each use, preferably with a disinfectant – it can be salicylic alcohol.
Shaving and acne
We also have to shave a bit differently when the mouth of the hair follicle becomes clogged and we have a blackhead. One of the reasons may be hyperkeratosis of the epidermis. Dead tissue is blocking the mouth of the bellows. A “cork” then forms under the skin. If the blackhead does not open, bacteria that live in the hair follicles multiply faster without oxygen. They produce a small cyst filled with “white” pus. – Skin with acne must be shaved especially carefully. Purulent nodules should not be cut with a razor, so that the skin lesions do not spread over the entire face – warns Dr. Anna Nejno. Also, moles and other discoloration, warts (flat and convex) must be avoided when shaving. Systematically injured or irritated over time, they can turn into neoplastic changes.
Text: Halina Pilonis