Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the common term for pseudofolliculitis?

1. Ingrown hairs

2. Razor bumps

3. Shaving rash

4. Skin irritation

The correct answer is: Razor bumps

Pseudofolliculitis is most commonly known as razor bumps, which occurs when hair curls back into the skin after being cut, resulting in inflammation and bumps that can resemble those caused by folliculitis. This condition often arises after shaving, particularly in areas where the hair is coarse and curly, such as the beard area in men or the bikini line in women. Razor bumps can lead to redness, discomfort, and sometimes infection, making the term specifically relevant to shaving practices. While ingrown hairs and skin irritation might seem similar, they are not synonymous with pseudofolliculitis because ingrown hairs refer more broadly to hairs that grow back into the skin rather than any reaction to shaving. Meanwhile, shaving rash typically describes broader irritation caused by shaving, but doesn’t specifically denote the hair-related issue at the root of pseudofolliculitis. Thus, razor bumps accurately captures the essence of pseudofolliculitis in its most common form.