Hello Everyone,
I posted awhile back on this topic (copied below for more background information), but the information I received did not do the trick. This probably occurred because I had to describe everything, but now I have pictures to aid the diagnosis.
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy61/Joe_from_Washington/0103110101.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy61/Joe_from_Washington/0103110100.jpg
For years now I have had what seems to be hundreds of flesh colored bumps on my chin (sometimes they have a red tint to them). They are nearly invisible, the only way I can see them is if I look in a mirror up close and stretch my skin. There is a similar phenomenon on my upper lip (however these are more noticeable, as the picture demonstrates). The problem is that I shave all of my facial hair, but because of the bumps, I never get a clean shaven look. Physically, the skin in these areas feels like fine sandpaper (even after a shave). Visually, it always looks like I have a mustache shadow because the razor can only get the hair above the bump. Even after a shave, if you look closely, you can see a very small piece of hair in each bump. It’s as if the hair penetrated the skin, entered the bump, and then needs to leave the bump to be out. Sometimes this causes the hairs on my chin and upper lip to become ingrown or develop a small puss filled like pimple. In summary, my chin has flesh/white/redish colored bumps that lead to some nasty breakouts/infections from hairs failing to properly penetrate the skin (this mainly occurs on the area of the chin where the vertical part of a goatee would be). The upper lip area appears darker because my black mustache hair grows horizontal to the skin, you can even see the hairs under the skin, hence the permanent shadow. This has nothing to do with shaving techniques because I have gone months without shaving and the condition persists.
I have tried all sorts of exfoliating techniques and topical treatments (AHA, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, lactic acids, etc…) and nothing ever gets rid of the bumps. What do you think is causing these bumps? What are these bumps? How do I get rid of them?
Thanks for your help,
Joe
Here are some possible issues related to this problem:
My upper lip tends to sweat
The hair on my upper lip and chin is very coarse/inflexible
I Have Keratosis Pilaris on my upper arms & legs and I have mild Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faceii
More than likely I have Trichostasis Spinulosa on my nose