Treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae with the diode laser.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a common skin disorder of the beard area that is characterized by the presence of inflammatory follicular papules due to terminal hair shafts re-entering the epidermis. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring often occur with pseudofolliculitis barbae. Such skin changes can lead to cosmetic disfigurement and be of great concern to the patient. We report a case of pseudofolliculitis barbae and hirsutism with associated postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in an African-American woman who was effectively treated with the diode laser.