Skin condition
Folliculitis & ingrown hairs
Folliculitis and ingrown hairs can look like acne, but the triggers and treatment plan are often different.
What's actually going on
Folliculitis means inflammation around hair follicles. It can come from friction, shaving, occlusion, bacteria, yeast, or tightly curled hairs growing back into the skin. Beard areas, scalp, chest, back, buttocks, thighs, and groin are common sites.
What tends to help
- Reducing friction and occlusion where possible
- Adjusting shaving or hair-removal technique
- Targeted prescription or OTC treatment depending on the cause
- Checking for yeast, bacterial, and ingrown-hair patterns rather than guessing
What I'd skip
- Picking, squeezing, or digging out ingrown hairs
- Heavy oils on follicle-prone areas
- Using acne products indefinitely when they are not helping
When to get in-person or urgent care
- Large painful boils, spreading redness, fever, or drainage
- Recurrent abscesses or symptoms near a surgical wound
Body breakouts or razor bumps?
Start a visit and Dr. Eckert can review the location, pattern, hair-removal habits, and photos to decide whether this is acne, folliculitis, pseudofolliculitis, or something else.
Start a visitSupportive basics
These are supportive products and categories that may fit a simple routine. They are not a substitute for medical evaluation and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent this condition.
Gentle Cleanser
A non-stripping wash for face or body routines when irritation is part of the problem.
Body Moisturizer
Simple, fragrance-free hydration for dry or friction-prone skin.