Which population is at higher risk for pseudofolliculitis barbae?

• A. Older women
• B. African American men who shave
• C. Infants
• D. Elderly men

Answer: (B)

Pseudofolliculitis barbae results from hairs shaved close becoming trapped and growing back into the skin, causing an inflammatory reaction with bumps and pustules. The key factor is hair texture: tightly curled hair tends to re-enter the skin after shaving. African American men often have this hair type and commonly shave, which together raise the likelihood of hairs curling back into follicles and provoking inflammation. That combination explains why this group is at higher risk.

Other populations listed are less prone either because they don’t typically shave, or because their hair texture doesn’t promote the same re-entry of hairs into the skin, so their risk is lower. If symptoms arise, adjusting shaving technique and tools can help reduce the problem.