Folliculitis is an infection causing inflammation of the hair follicles. It is a common skin disorder and can happen to anyone immaterial of the persons sex or age.

Folliculitis typically appears as a white or red eruption of the skin that surrounds a hair follicle. When many of the hair follicles are infected it appears as a white or red rash of the skin.

The most likely places for folliculitis to appear are the arms, armpits, legs, or the scalp. Men who shave could develop folliculitis on the face.

Causes of Folliculitis

Every hair in our bodies grows from a follicle. Even though they are most dense on the scalp, they are spread across the entire body except the palms and soles. Each follicle is attached to a muscle above which are sebaceous glands that produce sebum (an oil) to lubricate the skin and hair shaft.

It is when the follicles get blocked or damaged that they are prone to attacks from bacteria, viruses and fungus which can lead to infections such as folliculitis.

Folliculitis causes could be due to one or more of the following:

• Excess perspiration that dries on the skin and blocks the follicles for long periods of time

• Various inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or dermatitis

• Abrasions or wounds to the skin

• Excess friction while shaving (usually if shaving with a blunt blade)

• Friction from tight clothing that irritate the skin

Treating Folliculitis

PAPULEX® gel & Skin Cleanser gel can help with Folliculitis after shaving. It contains 4% nicotinamide (vitamin B3 complex), that acts as a topical anti-inflammatory and is as effective as an antibiotic but as sensible as a lotion. When applied twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, PAPULEX® shows a clear improvement of the appearance of the skin with the majority of users after eight weeks. PAPULEX® does not dry out the skin, there is no danger of resistance.

In the first step the skin is cleaned thoroughly and carefully with the PAPULEX® skin cleanser gel. Due to a pH-value of 5.5 it is suitable for daily cleansing of the affected skin areas. Infections are inhibited and the skin appears a lot better. The skin is optimally prepared for the following application of PAPULEX® Gel. This should be applied on the affected skin parts twice a day.

PAPULEX® is especially suitable for the care of the skin during shaving. Apply the skin cleanser before shaving and put the gel immediately after on the shaved parts. This way, irritating shaving spots do not even appear. (Also suitable for the bikini area and arm pits).

SESDERMA AZELAC Lotion is also recommended in cases of difficult beards and problems related to shaving or waxing. It can be applied on the face and body. Very effective due to its content of salicylic acid (2%), which has an important comedolytic, bacteriostatic, fungistatic, sebostatic, keratolytic and soothing action.