Nothing ruins your beach style more than a red, itchy bikini line. When you shave off a pubic hair, the shaft can curl back into the follicle instead of popping out through the skin's surface. As the hair continues to grow beneath the skin, it will look like a dark, clogged pore, notes Cosmopolitan. According to Mother Nature, when you shave your bikini line you drag bacteria across the skin to infect your pubic follicles, causing rash-like red pustules commonly called razor bumps. Ingrown hairs and razor bumps are painful, itchy and, in rare cases, can lead to serious infections. Always contact your doctor if you suspect a bacterial infection in your pubic area.
Remove Ingrown Hairs
Step 1
Soak a washcloth in warm water. Wash your bikini area to remove surface dirt and bacteria. Use a medicated exfoliating scrub with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or other mild acne-fighting ingredients, suggests Cosmopolitan. Slough off dead skin cells by scrubbing in gentle, circular motions.
Step 2
Re-wet the washcloth and hold it against the infected hair follicles for two minutes. Warm water softens the skin and opens your pores, notes Health Guidance.
Step 3
Place the tweezers in rubbing alcohol for two minutes to disinfect them, suggests Health Guidance. Grasp any portion of the hair sticking above the skin with your tweezers. Work slowly to avoid breaking the hair off inside the follicle. Gently pull the hair to uncurl it from inside the follicle. Pull the tip of the hair until the hair is sticking straight out of the skin's surface. Do not pull the hair out completely.
Step 4
Place hydrogen peroxide, or another antiseptic, on a cotton ball or washcloth. Rub it around the infected hair follicle to kill bacteria and prevent further infection, suggests Health Guidance.
Prevent Ingrown Hairs
Step 1
Before shaving, thoroughly cleanse your pubic area with soap and warm water. Use antibacterial soap to kill surface bacteria that can infect your pores, suggests Mother Nature. Exfoliate the area frequently with gentle scrubs or a wet washcloth to remove dead skin cells.
Step 2
Spread a thin layer of shave gel over your bikini area and allow it to sit at least 60 seconds before shaving, suggests Health Guide. Choose shave gels instead of creams, which can clog your pubic pores, notes Marie Claire. Soften coarse pubic hairs to make shaving less stressful for your skin. Use a new, single-bladed razor. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it, notes Cosmopolitan.
Step 3
After shaving, apply a thin layer of cortisone cream to sooth the area, recommends Mother Nature. Use cortisone cream twice each day to keep skin calm and healthy. Apply a cream-based acne medication to keep bacteria in the follicles from inflaming, suggests Health Guidance.
Step 4
Wear loose clothing immediately after shaving, especially during hot weather, notes Health Guidance. Choose breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight jeans, which can rub against sensitive skin, suggests Marie Claire.
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Warm water
- Tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol
- Washcloth
- Hydrogen peroxide
- New razor
- Shave gel
- Medicated scrub with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
- Cortisone cream
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