Updated Guidelines for Facial Shaving Condition
04 October 2019
The Navy announced upcoming changes to the management of Sailors diagnosed with the facial shaving-related condition pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), Oct. 4.
The PFB treatment and management changes are a result of a 2016 Naval Safety Center review of several studies, later re-validated in 2018, which concluded that facial hair (beards) prevents the proper seal of protective breathing devices, such as respirators. Failure to have a proper seal can result in serious personal injury, including death, according to the Naval Safety Center.
“The impact [of this policy change] is an improvement in readiness of the force and improvement in safety of the Sailor,” said Director of Military Personnel, Plans and Policies Rear Adm. Jeffrey Jablon. He explained the priority of this revision is ensuring that all Sailors will remain safe if required to don a respirator.
PFB is a treatable medical condition caused when tightly-curled beard hairs are sharpened by shaving, causing them to curve back and re-enter the skin, which can produce facial inflammation, bumps and infections. Updates to the Navy’s Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) Instruction 1000.22B outline the treatment and command leadership management of Sailors diagnosed with PFB. The goal of the updated instruction is to provide Sailors with medical treatments that result in successful management of the condition while simultaneously maximizing personnel readiness and safety in all Navy environments.
PFB has previously been mitigated through authorization of temporary or permanent shaving waivers, commonly referred to as “no-shave chits”. The updated instruction discontinues the issuance of permanent shaving waivers, but permits temporary shaving waivers in conjunction with treatment.
Sailors currently experiencing facial irritation after shaving will be referred to a medical provider for evaluation and possible treatment regimen aimed at returning the Sailor to Navy grooming requirements required for a proper respirator seal. Sailors previously issued a permanent shaving waiver must obtain a medical re-evaluation and new treatment regimen within six months of the release of BUPERSINST 1000.22C.
The revised instruction, which was written in concert with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), emphasizes that PFB is a treatable condition that can be effectively treated through prescribed medical management.
Treatment regimen options include application of medicated creams to make hairs more shaveable; shaving with gentle equipment; shaving techniques to minimize this risk of irritation and hair re-entry into the skin; and laser hair reduction, which is the most reliable approach allowing a return to Navy grooming standards ensuring the personal safety of our Sailors. Treatment can be counted successful when symptoms are improved enough to allow comfortable shaving.
When Sailors affected by PFB have not been prescribed treatment or are not assigned to an area in which evaluation and treatment are available, their commanding officer may authorize a temporary no-shave waiver or establish a regimen where the Sailor may shave periodically until a medical evaluation and treatment may be prescribed. In such cases, the maximum allowable facial hair growth is 1/4 inch free of styling and edged.
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