Quarantine was a perfect excuse to throw on some sweats and let your hair grow and breathe. However, now that bathing suit season has arrived, it is the perfect time to give your bikini area some extra love. VALLEY has created a guide to taking care of your hair down there whether you decide to shave, wax or leave it alone.
Shaving
The pros:
Shaving this area is painless and more convenient to do in the comfort of your own home than waxing which is difficult to do yourself and requires an appointment if you have it done professionally.
The cons:
Using the improper shaving creams or gels can cause allergic reactions and razor burn. In addition, the results of shaving are only good for a short amount of time and then that pesky pubic hair is back again. Ingrown hairs are also always a possibility when shaving as well along with the risk of accidentally cutting yourself.
How to make it smoother:
We know you’re anxious to get rid of this hair as fast as possible, but it is important to prepare before you start shaving. First, if you haven’t shaved in a while or this is the first time, it is also good to trim down the hair down there to about a quarter inch so that it doesn’t put too much strain on your razor.
Speaking of the razor, you should be switching out the blades every two to three shaves so that you can get a closer, cleaner shave and avoid agitating the area. The razor you use is also important, if you have sensitive skin try looking into an electric razor such as the Panasonic Close Curves Shaver or the Meeteasy Cordless Bikini Trimmer and Epilator. For a little more control, try the Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle which adjusts well to the curves of a woman’s body and is a razor and a trimmer all in one handy little battery-powered tool.
Lastly, you should not be shaving your bikini area with shower gel or bar soap. Instead, opt for a creamy shave gel that allows your razor to glide over your skin cutting the hair and not irritating the skin. For aftershave care, reviewers on Amazon recommend Fur Ingrown Concentrate.
Waxing
The pros:
Whereas you may have to shave your bikini area every couple days to maintain a hairless appearance, a wax removes the hair from the root so you can go a few weeks (usually about 3-6) before returning for your next appointment. In addition, after waxing the hair grows back weaker and finer meaning that the more consistent you are the easier the hair comes out the next time.
The cons:
No pain no gain right? Waxing is more expensive and painful than shaving. In addition, ripping the hair out at the follicle can cause it to grow in crooked and cause ingrown hairs. It can also be aggressive and agitating to sensitive skin.
How to make it smoother:
To best prepare for your waxing appointment, it is important that you are showering and gently exfoliating before your appointment. Salons such as European Wax Center have a pretty extensive guide on what to do before, the process during and how to take care of the skin after the wax. They also have an extensive line of products that can help reduce ingrown hairs and bumps for when you get home.
One of the most important things to recognize as well is that this new layer of waxed skin is going to be more sensitive and susceptible to things like sweat and the sun. Wear comfortable clothes, avoid high temperatures and skip the tanning for now.
General Tips
Anything that affects the skin on your face can also affect the skin around your bikini line. For this reason, it is important to invest in all-natural and quality cleansers and moisturizers that are free of essential oils, synthetics and parabens.
You are also at more of a risk for urinary tract infections, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis in the summertime because of the heat and humidity. You can keep these at bay by wearing underwear that is 100% cotton and taking probiotics.
Skin is skin and none of it should be neglected no matter where it is!
