Prevalence of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae in Caucasian Males
Pseudofolliculitis barbae affects approximately 1 in 5 (20%) Caucasian males, though this represents a significantly lower prevalence compared to individuals of African descent. 1
Epidemiological Data
The prevalence in Caucasian populations is estimated at up to 20% of individuals, making it a relatively common condition even in this demographic group 1
PFB occurs most frequently in men of African American and Hispanic origin, with Caucasian males representing a lower-risk population 2
The condition can affect both men and women of all ethnicities, though prevalence varies substantially by racial background 3, 4
Key Risk Factors in Caucasian Males
Hair characteristics are the primary determinant: Caucasian males with tightly curled hair who shave or tweeze frequently are at highest risk 2
Genetic predisposition plays a significant role: Individuals with the single nucleotide substitution in the hair follicle companion layer specific keratin gene (K6hf) have a six-fold increased chance of developing PFB, regardless of ethnicity 3
The curved shape of the hair follicle allows for downward curvature and penetration of growing hair tips into the skin, initiating the inflammatory cascade 3
Clinical Implications for Caucasian Patients
Indo-Europeans are affected "to a much lesser extent" than those of subequatorial African ancestry, but the condition remains clinically significant when it occurs 4
The multifactorial etiology includes hair follicle shape, hair cuticle characteristics, and direction of hair growth, all of which contribute to the inflammatory response once hair is shaven or plucked 2
Important Caveats
Precise incidence data is difficult to determine across all populations, and the 20% figure for Caucasians may represent an upper estimate 1
Recent evidence suggests a strong genetic component in patients with persistent PFB, indicating that some Caucasian males may be genetically predisposed despite lower overall population prevalence 4