Pseudofolliculitis barbae, also called "shaving bumps" or "razor bumps," is a condition which occurs in those who have highly curly hair and who shave. African-American hair follicles are naturally curved, which results in curly hair shafts. Such hairs, when shaven, upon re-growth, form a sharp-edge, and may penetrate the skin from the outside, or may retract back into the skin. In either case, the hair is no longer where it should be, and the skin reacts to this penetration just as it would to a wooden splinter. Inflammation occurs and bumps appear. The situation worsens as these bumps are nicked and irritated by continued shaving. In some cases, the trauma can be so severe as to result in scar or keloid formation.

While the face is most commonly involved, shaving any area which bears curly hair can lead to pseudofolliculitis. This same phenomenon has been reported in the groin and in the armpit, as well as in the facial beard area. Women can also develop pseudofolliculitis in non-facial areas.

Various medical surveys indicate that some degree of this problem occurs in 40 to 80 percent of African-American men. Aside from pain, tenderness and unsightly lesions, pseudofolliculitis causes difficulty for those who are required to be close shaven as a condition of employment.