If the skin on your bikini line is riddled with bumps, you may be experiencing ingrown hairs. Because hair in the bikini area is so coarse, hair that has been recently shaved or waxed can curl underneath the skin as it grows, creating a red, irritated bump on the skin's surface. To help reduce ingrown hairs on your bikini line while encouraging current ingrown hairs to spring to the surface, use the proper technique every time you shave.
Step 1
Shave with a new razor and a sharp blade every time you shave. Apply a moisturizing shaving cream or gel to help create a moisture barrier between your skin and the razor, which will also protect your skin from nicks.
Step 2
Stop waxing, suggests Mary Stone, M.D., associate professor of dermatology
at the University of Iowa. Waxing removes the hair at an angle, so it is more likely to become ingrown when it grows back. Dr. Stone recommends shaving the bikini area instead of waxing it.
Step 3
Apply an over-the-counter ingrown hair solution that contains aspirin. Aspirin can help reduce swelling, which allows hairs to grow straight out of the skin.
Step 4
Apply corticosteroid cream to your bikini line, recommends the Mayo Clinic. A corticosteroid cream can help reduce swelling and encourage ingrown hairs to rise to the skin's surface.
Step 5
Rub a prescription retinoid cream on the afflicted area to help encourage exfoliation of the skin. Your doctor can prescribe a retinoid medication, which helps reduce ingrown hairs by sloughing away dead skin cells around the problem areas.
Tips and Warnings
- Remove individual ingrown hairs with a sterilized needle by placing it underneath the loop of hair, then gently lifting the hair out of the skin.
- Consult a doctor if bumps on your bikini area are filled with pus.
Things You'll Need
- Razor
- Moisturizing shaving cream or gel
- Over-the-counter ingrown hair solution
- Corticosteroid cream
- Prescription retinoid cream
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