Smooth Skin. No Irritation. Lasting Relief.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), often referred to as ingrown hairs or razor bumps, is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by hair re-entering the skin after shaving. It’s especially common in individuals with coarse, curly hair and can lead to painful bumps, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and textural irregularities particularly on the beard area, neck, bikini line, stomach or underarms.

At R Skin Bar, we use the Aerolase® Neo Elite, an advanced 650-microsecond Nd:YAG laser, to offer one of the most effective, safe, and gentle solutions to PFB especially for darker skin tones, where traditional lasers may pose risks of hyperpigmentation or burns.

Key Benefits of Treating PFB with Aerolase

Destroys the Hair Follicle Without Damaging the Skin

Aerolase delivers targeted energy deep into the follicle to destroy the root of the ingrown hair without harming the surrounding tissue. This helps stop future ingrown hairs from forming while keeping the skin intact and safe.

Reduces Inflammation and Razor Bumps

The laser energy also targets the inflammation and redness associated with PFB. It calms the skin, reduces swelling, and helps flatten raised bumps caused by trapped hairs.

Fades Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

PFB often leaves behind dark marks, especially on melanated skin. Aerolase breaks down excess melanin while treating the hair follicle, which helps fade discoloration and even out skin tone over a series of treatments.

4Safe for All Skin Types, Including Fitzpatrick IV–VI

Unlike many traditional lasers that carry a risk of burns or pigment changes in deeper skin tones, Aerolase’s 650-microsecond technology is safe for all ethnicities, offering effective treatment with minimal risk

Stimulates Collagen to Smooth Textural Scarring

Over time, PFB can lead to skin thickening or keloid-like scars. Aerolase stimulates collagen remodeling, which helps soften and smooth the skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of scarring.

No Need to Grow Out Hair Before Treatment

Clients do not need to grow out the hair before treatment, unlike waxing or some laser methods. Aerolase can treat even freshly shaved areas, making it ideal for professional clients or those who prefer to stay groomed.

Prevents New Ingrown Hairs from Forming

With regular sessions, Aerolase progressively reduces hair density, weakens the follicles, and minimizes the chance of hairs curling back into the skin preventing future flare-ups of PFB.

Comfortable, Quick, and Contact-Free

Treatment is fast, well-tolerated, and non contact, meaning there’s no risk of cross contamination, pressure, or abrasion on already sensitive areas. Most sessions take under 20 minutes.

No Downtime, Just Clearer Skin

Clients can return to their daily routine immediately after treatment. Mild redness may occur, but it resolves quickly. Skin continues to improve over the following days as bumps flatten and pigment fades.

Effective for PFB in Body Areas

Aerolase is not limited to facial PFB. It’s also ideal for treating bikini line, underarms, neck, chest, and back of the scalp, wherever chronic ingrowns or post-shave irritation occur.

Targets Both Hair and Pigment in One Session

Unlike many treatments that only address either the hair or the pigmentation, Aerolase uniquely targets both the hair follicle and melanin clusters in the same session. This dual mechanism makes it exceptionally effective for treating ingrown hairs and the dark marks they leave behind all in one visit.

No Need for Topical Anesthetics or Pre-Treatment Gels

Aerolase’s advanced 650-microsecond pulse duration, treatments are virtually pain-free and do not require numbing cream or conductive gel, making the experience faster, cleaner, and more comfortable especially for sensitive areas like the jawline, neck, or bikini line.

Reduces Reliance on Harsh Topical Medications

Many people with PFB rely on long-term use of retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or steroid creams, which can thin the skin or cause irritation over time. With Aerolase, clients often see such improvement that they can reduce or eliminate their dependence on prescription topicals.

Breaks the Inflammatory Cycle

Chronic PFB leads to repeated skin trauma, bacterial buildup, and inflammation. Aerolase’s ability to destroy bacteria (like Cutibacterium acnes or Staphylococcus aureus), reduce vascular activity, and calm the skin interrupts this cycle, allowing the skin to heal and remain clear between shaves.

Improves Shaving Experience

As inflammation, scarring, and follicular buildup reduce, clients often find that shaving becomes less painful, less irritating, and more efficient. The smoother surface and fewer ingrowns allow for a closer, more comfortable shave.

Reduces Follicular Wall Thickening

Over time, PFB can lead to thickening and scarring around the follicle, which contributes to bumps and uneven texture. Aerolase helps remodel collagen and soften this fibrotic tissue, restoring a smoother skin surface.

Safe for Use on Scarring-Prone Skin

Clients with a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scars may avoid traditional lasers due to the risk of worsening texture. Aerolase’s non-ablative, non-contact approach makes it ideal for safely treating scarring-prone areas, including under the chin or jawline.

Accelerates Healing of Open Lesions

For clients who arrive with active bumps, open ingrowns, or post-shave trauma, Aerolase promotes faster wound healing by increasing circulation and triggering tissue regeneration while reducing bacterial load and inflammation.

Minimizes Flare-Ups Between Sessions

Even after just one or two treatments, clients often report less frequent flare-ups, reduced sensitivity, and fewer painful bumps after shaving or waxing. This makes it ideal as a preventative maintenance option, not just a corrective solution.

Ideal for All Genders and Hair Patterns

PFB affects both men and women, especially in areas like the beard line, underarms, bikini line, and thighs. Aerolase is effective regardless of hair growth patterns or shaving habits, and treatments can be tailored for each client’s specific needs and lifestyle.

Improves Skin’s Immune Response

Chronic PFB is often associated with a weakened skin defense system, especially in areas exposed to repeated trauma from shaving or waxing. Aerolase stimulates healthy skin function at the cellular level, encouraging better healing, fewer bacterial flare-ups, and long-term immune balance within the skin.

Addresses Subclinical Inflammation

Many clients with PFB also have low-grade, ongoing inflammation even when no visible bumps are present. Aerolase reaches deeper layers of the dermis where it calms this hidden inflammation, resetting the skin to a healthier baseline not just treating what you can see on the surface.

Helps Reverse Skin Thickening and Shadowing

In clients with chronic or untreated PFB, the skin may develop thickened, shadowed areas from repeated trauma and inflammation. Aerolase breaks down that dense collagen and uneven pigmentation, softening the skin and restoring a more even-toned, uniform appearance over time.

Enhances Skin Clarity Between Laser Hair Removal Sessions

For clients undergoing laser hair removal but still experiencing ingrown hairs between treatments, Aerolase can be used as a complementary therapy to manage flare-ups, fade marks, and prevent future inflammation while waiting for hair reduction to complete.

Prepares the Skin for Future Treatments

Aerolase not only treats PFB it also prepares the skin for other advanced treatments. Once inflammation and pigmentation are under control, clients may be candidates for:

• Microneedling for textural scarring
• Brightening peels
• Advanced resurfacing or tightening treatments
• Treating PFB with Aerolase creates the clean, healthy foundation needed to safely move forward with more aggressive skin protocols.

Reduces Emotional Distress Linked to PFB

Although this is not a physical effect, the psychological relief clients feel after reducing visible bumps, scarring, and dark patches especially in areas like the jawline or bikini line is significant. Many clients regain confidence, feel more comfortable in social and professional settings, and reduce behaviors like picking or over-shaving.

Suitable for Clients with Previous Laser Complications

Clients who’ve had bad experiences with IPL or other hair removal lasers especially those with deeper skin tones often fear further damage. Aerolase is non-ablative, non-contact, and pigment-safe, making it an excellent option for those who were previously “not candidates” for laser-based treatment.

Long-Term Cost Efficiency

While PFB is often treated with ongoing topicals, waxing, or medication, Aerolase provides long-term structural change, meaning fewer flare-ups, less maintenance, and less money spent on temporary fixes. Over time, it becomes a more cost-effective solution compared to monthly skin treatments, razors, or prescription creams.

Can Be Used During Active Flare-Ups

Unlike some treatments that require the skin to be “calm” before application, Aerolase can be used even when bumps are inflamed or irritated. This makes it ideal for clients looking for immediate relief, not just preventive care.

Supports a Complete Skin Confidence Protocol

Because PFB often overlaps with issues like:

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
• Texture issues
• Loss of confidence in personal appearance

Aerolase can be a cornerstone treatment in a personalized protocol that helps clients get not only clear skin but resilient, healthy, and empowered skin.

PFB is not just a cosmetic concern it’s a source of pain, frustration, and long-term skin damage. At R Skin Bar, we combine clinical-grade Aerolase laser technology with personalized care to help you achieve smoother, clearer skin and the confidence that comes with it. Whether you’re new to laser or have struggled with ingrowns for years, we’re here to help you experience real, lasting results.