Latest news with #PseudofolliculitisBarbae
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Razor bumps to ingrown hair: Dermat shares 7 common skin issues men face and suggests how to care for them
Skincare isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, especially when it comes to gender. Men have very different skin textures compared to women. They are thicker, oilier, and have coarser hair. And even otherwise, men's skin concerns often fly under the radar of the skincare spotlight, mostly because, in general, many men don't actively carry on with dedicated skincare routines. But slowly this is changing as men are becoming more and more aware, giving importance to skin health. And the first step towards skincare is understanding what are some of the common skin problems men face. Men face certain typs of skincare issues more often.(Shutterstock) ALSO READ: Say goodbye to sticky skin this rainy season: Doctor shares 8 tips to monsoon-proof your skincare Dr Ruben Bhasin Passi, consultant dermatologist at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, shared with HT Lifestyle that men tend to suffer from a specific set of skin conditions because of their physiological traits and habits. Explaining the skincare issues' roots, she said, 'Men tend to encounter special skincare issues based on attributes such as thicker skin, beard hair, regular shaving, and sun exposure. Even so, skincare is not very high on the agenda of most men. At least for general skincare, men should cleanse their face twice a day with a mild cleanser, shave using clean razors and maintain good shaving hygiene, moisturise to avoid dryness and irritation regularly and lastly apply sunscreen daily. Consult a professional if you observe severe or chronic acne, new or evolving moles or spots and frequent fungal infections or skin irritation." Here's a detailed guide as shared by Dr Bhasin Passi, where she outlined the common skincare issues men face and what the care tips are for each concern: 1. Razor Bumps (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) Post-shaving, often red bumps appear.(Shutterstock) Small, red bumps that appear after shaving, particularly in curly or coarse-haired men. They have the appearance of acne and can become infected or painful. Causes: Hair curling back into the skin following shaving. Shaving too close to the skin. Rushed or dry shaving. Care tips: Shave with the hair, not against it. Use warm water and a shaving cream or gel. Consider using an electric razor or trimmer. Use a soothing, alcohol-free aftershave lotion. 2. Ingrown hairs Ingrown hair is when the hair grows sideways into the skin rather than rising up.(Shutterstock) These are bumps and inflammation due to hair growing back into the skin, most often after shaving or waxing. Causes: Improper shaving. Tight clothes. Curly or coarse hair. Care tips: Exfoliate gently on the area. Shave less closely near the skin. Wear loose clothing. Apply warm compresses to soothe. 3. Acne The pimples appear near the jaw.(Shutterstock) Acne is a very prevalent skin condition in men, most often experienced during puberty and early adulthood. Acne appears as pimples, blackheads, or cysts on the face, back, and chest. Causes: Overproduction of oil (sebum.) Hormonal changes. Poor shaving hygiene. Sweat and pore clogging. Care tips: Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Do not scrub your skin hard or squeeze pimples. Use acne-controlling ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Keep shaving equipment and methods clean. 4. Dry skin (Xerosis) Dry skin often appears as scaly, rough patches with a whitish or flaky texture.(Shutterstock) Dry, rough, or scaly skin occurs in men, particularly in winter or with repeated soap usage. It can cause itching or tightness on the skin. Causes: Cold temperatures. Harsh soaps or hot, long showers. Ageing Care tips: Apply a moisturising, fragrance-free lotion Steer clear of hot water; take lukewarm showers Use mild, moisturising cleansers Drink adequate water to stay hydrated. 5. Dandruff Dandruff appears as flaky white dust.(Shutterstock) It leads to flaking and itchiness of the scalp, with redness following. It occurs frequently in men because the scalp has increased oil production. Causes: Oily skin. Yeast overgrowth on the scalp. Changes in weather or stress. Care tips: Apply anti-dandruff shampoos (zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide.) Do not oil excessively. Wash your scalp regularly and keep your scalp dry. 6. Athlete's Foot Athlete's foot is peeling and red. (Shutterstock) A fungal infection of the feet, athlete's foot, is prevalent in men who over-sweat or have closed shoes on for lengthy periods. It results in itching, redness, and scaling in-between the toes. Causes: Tight shoes with sweaty, moist feet. Walking barefoot in showers. Care tips: Keep your feet clean and dry. Apply antifungal creams or powders. Change socks every day; wear well-ventilated footwear. Avoid walking barefoot in shared showers. 7. Sun damage and hyperpigmentation Men often don't apply sunscreen as much, causing bad sun damage.(Shutterstock) Long-term exposure to the sun may produce skin darkening, tanning, sunspots, or pigmentation of the skin. Men who do not wear sunscreen are more likely to experience these conditions. Causes: UV damage. Post-acne scars. Outdoor activities or work. Care tips: Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 and above) daily. Wear hats and sunglasses outside. Use niacinamide or vitamin C-containing serums for brightening. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why Folks Think This New U.S. Marines Policy is Trying to Keep Black Men Out of the Corps
The United States Marine Corps has officially ended a decades-long policy, leaving many Black men vulnerable and experts questioning racist intent. Back in March, the Marine administration gave soldiers 90 days to be reexamined. Now, the deadline is here. It's no secret solders in the military have to abide by strict grooming policies. All male service members are expected to be clean-shaven, with exceptions being made in the Marines for men suffering from various skin conditions, according to the Marine Corps Times. This so-called 'shaving waiver' was introduced in the '70s, and until right now, there's been no discrepancies. But after the Pentagon's recent review of grooming standards, things have changed. In a directive issued in March, soldiers suffering from skin conditions like Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) will no longer be eligible for waivers, Stars and Stripes reported. And if they fail to meet grooming standards, they could be subjected to expulsion. The move drew direct pushback from dermatologists who say Black men will disproportionately be affected by the new policy. 'This is so targeted and intentional,' said Chris Adigun, a board-certified dermatologist based in North Carolina told NBC News. PFB — commonly known as razor bumps — affects around 60 percent of Black men, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. For men with thick, curly facial hair, razor bumps can cause severe discomfort and can negatively affect one's health and confidence. Service members with PFB were required to have a medical exam within 90 days of the March announcement, this marks June as the deadline month. If their condition doesn't improve with a treatment plan, soldiers could be 'honorably discharged,' according to Jacoby Getty, a spokesperson for the Corps' Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The Pentagon's review comes on the heels of President Donald Trump's blitz on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Many folks like Air Force veteran Ed Anderson told NBC the grooming policy will likely change racial relations in the military. 'It's mostly soldiers of color who are impacted by this,' he said. 'I don't see this as a productive and effective means of retaining and recruiting troops.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Good luck figuring out the Air Force's algorithm for shaving waivers
The Department of the Air Force's process for determining if airmen and Space Force guardians should receive medical waivers for shaving is about as indecipherable as the infamous flow chart about counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan from years ago. A document from a Louisiana Air National Guard unit that was posted on Reddit includes the Air Force's 'algorithm' — a 20-step flowchart — for determining if airmen should get shaving waivers for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, or PFB, a painful skin condition made worse by shaving. The flowchart provides a breakdown of which symptoms are common for PFB and which might indicate another shaving issue. It also includes several possible courses of action, including prescribing hydrocortisone to treat inflammation, allowing airmen and guardians to use electric clippers instead of razors to keep their facial hair slightly longer, and, in some cases, laser therapy. But it can be difficult for the layman to trace a path on the chart from diagnosis to treatment, and it is not clear what the requirements are for issuing a shaving waiver. An Air Force official confirmed to Task & Purpose on Wednesday that the flow chart is authentic, but it was meant for medical providers, not airmen. The flowchart is intended to help medical providers determine if airmen and guardians have PFB or another type of skin irritation that could be caused by local factors, such as a high mineral content in the water or the dryness of the air, the official said. Once the medical providers have diagnosed the issue, they can decide whether to issue a waiver or pursue an alternative medical treatment. Common in up to 60% of Black men, PFB is a condition in which facial hair grows back into the skin, causing inflammation, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Shaving 'sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear,' exacerbating the condition, the college's website says. 'A 100% effective treatment is to let the beard grow. Once the hairs get to be a certain length they will not grow back into the skin,' the website says. But U.S. military leaders have long maintained that service members need to be clean-shaven to wear oxygen and gas masks, even though Great Britain and other countries permit their troops to have beards. Last year, Congress required the Air Force secretary to brief lawmakers about a potential pilot program that would allow airmen and guardians to grow beards. Then, in January, the Air Force announced that all airmen and guardians with medical profiles for shaving would need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional within 90 days of their next annual Periodic Health Assessment to receive another shaving waiver. The change, which does not apply to religious accommodation shaving waivers, reversed a 2020 policy that allowed airmen and guardians diagnosed with PFB to be issued waivers for five years without annual renewals. Shortly before the policy update was announced, Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin announced the service would conduct more formations and uniform inspections and review policies and standards that look at 'waivers and the exceptions.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced a review in March that will look at how all the military services' physical fitness, body composition, and grooming standards have changed over the past decade. That review 'includes but is not limited to beards,' he wrote. 'High standards are what made the United States military the greatest fighting force on the planet,' Hegseth wrote in the March 12 memo. 'The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose. We are made stronger and more disciplined with high, uncompromising, and clear standards.' Top enlisted leader of Air Force Special Operations Command fired amid investigation The Marine in one of the most famous recruiting commercials is now in Congress 75th Ranger Regiment wins 2025 Best Ranger Competition Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer reenlists in Marine Reserve Air Force pilots get a new way to pee at 30,000 feet
