Management of pseudofolliculitis barbae

Nd:YAG: neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.
* Low-potency (group 6 or 7) topical corticosteroid therapy is usually limited to less than 3 to 4 weeks on a particular area to minimize risk of cutaneous adverse effects. Intralesional corticosteroid injections (2 to 3 mg/mL) are typically reserved for larger, highly inflamed papules.
¶ Patients may continue grooming the beard with scissors or an electric clipper. Trim length should be no less than 0.5 cm. Shorter trim lengths may be tried after clearance.
Δ Refer to additional UpToDate content on postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and keloids.
◊ Options for topical antimicrobial therapy include benzoyl peroxide with or without clindamycin or erythromycin.
§ Good candidates for laser hair removal include patients with darkly pigmented hairs who are comfortable with permanent hair loss. White or gray hairs tend to respond poorly. Lasers should be selected carefully to minimize risk for adverse effects. Nd:YAG lasers are generally a safer option for patients with highly pigmented skin. Limited data suggest the addition of topical eflornithine to laser therapy may be beneficial.