Gangnam dermatologist: treating facial folliculitis so it doesn’t lead to scars

People who naturally tend to run hot or who have excess sebum to the point that their face often becomes shiny are more likely to develop skin troubles. However, even if you have good skin, improper hygiene can still lead to abnormal symptoms. When the skin is irritated with unclean tools, or when post-procedure care is done incorrectly, folliculitis can appear in various places. Facial folliculitis can occur easily due to skin characteristics, but it can also develop because of improper care, so it is a skin condition that can happen to anyone.

What is facial folliculitis?

Facial folliculitis is a condition in which bacteria infect the hair follicles in the skin and cause inflammation. Hair follicles are small structures that surround hairs, and when they become infected by bacteria, fungi, or the like, red rashes and acne-like inflamed bumps filled with pus can appear. It can occur not only on the face but also on the scalp, neck, chest, and back, and it often appears in areas that are shaved frequently or areas with frequent friction. Scalp folliculitis can also lead to hair loss by causing hair to fall out.

Facial folliculitis: these are the characteristics

Folliculitis is mainly caused by bacterial infection, but skin irritation after shaving, excessive oil production, and friction or irritation of the skin can also be causes. If you have the habit of touching your face often with unclean hands, bacteria can more easily enter and the likelihood of inflammation increases. In addition, if a bacterial infection occurs while the immune system is weakened, folliculitis can worsen further. In areas where the skin has been wounded by a razor, inflammation can become more severe, and there are also many cases of infection from plucking hair with rusty makeup tools. Inflammation concentrated around the eyebrows, philtrum, chin, or sideburn area is highly likely to be folliculitis.

When folliculitis progresses, red rashes and small pustules are characteristic. It may be accompanied by itching or pain, and as time passes and the inflammation becomes more severe, swelling may occur or the surrounding skin may turn red. In some severe cases, the area around the hair follicle may become firmly swollen.

Facial folliculitis: to keep it from leaving scars

Because it looks similar to acne, many people try to remove it by squeezing. However, the causes and development process of the two conditions are different. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when pores become blocked due to excessive sebum secretion, and it is closely related to hormonal changes. Folliculitis, on the other hand, occurs due to bacterial infection and is more likely to develop because of irritation.

If you squeeze folliculitis by hand or apply strong pressure, the inflammation can become worse. There is a possibility that bacteria may spread to other areas or that a secondary infection may occur, and scars may remain in the irritated area. In particular, if you touch the inflamed area with your hands while hygiene management is lacking, bacteria can penetrate deep into the skin and develop into a larger inflammation, so it is important not to touch it by hand.

To prevent recurrence

The infected area can be disinfected, and medication that helps improve inflammation can be taken or ointment can be applied. In addition, if necessary, appropriate treatment to help prevent scarring may be performed using lasers or similar methods. Since there is still a possibility of recurrence afterward, it is important to maintain consistent hygiene care. When shaving, it is helpful to avoid sharp razor blades and to clean the tools thoroughly. It is also important to avoid using overly oily cosmetics and to reduce the habit of touching the skin frequently. To avoid an environment where bacteria can easily multiply, it is also necessary to change towels and pillowcases often and improve habits that can irritate the skin.

Folliculitis can be a relatively mild skin condition, but if it is not managed well, the inflammation may worsen and leave scars. Prevention through proper hygiene habits and skin care methods is most important, and if symptoms persist or become severe, it is advisable to see a dermatologist.