Bumping up

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section
Staff Writer

Q:: I am a black man with bad "bumping up" on my neck?

Mimi:Bumping up is treatable but not curable.

Pseudofilliculitis barbi is caused by stiff hairs growing from curved follicles. It is far more prevalent in black men than in other groups. When it happens on the back of the head and the neck, it is called "bumping up." The hair tips reverse the outward path and penetrate back into the skin just before they would normally exit. The trapped hairs and a build-up of dead skin cells in the pores trap the ingrown hairs. Obviously the easiest solution is to let your hair grow.

When you go to the barber, tell him that you want to cure and prevent future bumping up. Have him wash his hands with soap and water before touching you. Insist that he clean the clippers with a disinfectant Clippercide spray to lubricate the blades and kill bacteria right before cutting your hair. Do not let him use his razor that he uses on everybody else. Bring your own razor with a single-edge disposable blade such as the PFB Bump Fighter or the Bic for Sensitive Skin. A twin blade razor should be avoided because it shaves too closely. The blade should be used no more than three times and should be soaked in alcohol for 20 minutes before each use to kill bacteria

If you cut your hair at home, use The Remington Black Man's Shaver, the compact Wahl Black Man's Clippers, or barbers clippers. Don't use rotary shavers. Do not stretch the skin to obtain a closer shave. Don't wax or tweeze! Depilatory creams and shaving powders can cause hyperpigmentation or "shadowing" and should be avoided.

Do not let your barber use the duster on your neck. It is covered with bacteria from other clients. Do not let him apply after shave or lotion. Apply hydrogen peroxide to your neck after every hair cut. After-shave lotions should be alcohol-free and unscented. If cologne is desired, apply it to your body. The scent will last longer, will not irritate your skin, and will not cause discoloration as perfume can do when exposed to the sun.

Clinical facial treatments must be given by an esthetician trained in para-medical care of ethnic and black skin. Clinic care includes glycolic or enzyme applications. No resorcinol should be used because it can cause hyperpigmentation.

If the bumps are infected, follow the instructions in previous columns on how to clean acne lesions. Your wife can do this for you. Do NOT let her tweeze the hairs. Apply hydrogen peroxide after cleaning up pimples.

At home, a gentle scrub can be used to help free up trapped hairs. At night a stabilized peroxide, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, or Salicylic Acid lotion must be applied. During the day glycolic (AHA) or salicylic acid is used. If there is hyperpigmentation, the glycolic lotion should contain hydroquinone, and a sun block also must be used. Cortisone cream can help relieve discomfort.

Repeated, chronic bumping up can result in keloid scars. These are raised, usually hard, shiny scars. See a dermatologist. Ask him his opinion on Kenalog injections. These are shots of a tiny bit of cortisone into just the surface of the skin on the bumps. Depending on how severe your bumping up is, the injections may be done over a series of several weeks. Because bumping up is considered a cosmetic condition and not a health risk, health insurance usually doesn’t pay for the injections. This is all the more reason to prevent the condition.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.