Irritated, red bumps can cramp your style when rocking a bikini on the beach. Those bumps are caused by two things: irritation from shaving, and ingrown hairs as a result of bad hair-removal technique. Knowing the right way to remove hair at the bikini line and caring for the area properly after you shave can help get rid of the red bumps so you can debut a smooth and sexy bikini line.
Step 1
Shave with the right technique to avoid bumps in the first place. Use a new razor. Dragging a dull razor along the sensitive bikini line can result in excess razor burn. Also, shave in the direction of the hair growth, suggests "Cosmopolitan" magazine. It's less irritating and reduces your chance of getting an ingrown hair.
Step 2
Wash the bikini area after shaving with antibacterial soap, Allison Vidimos, staff dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, suggests to MotherNature.com. Germs and bacteria passed to the sensitive bikini line can cause irritation and bumps. Pat the area dry with a clean towel, taking care to refrain from scrubbing the area, another cause of irritated bumps.
Step 3
Wear comfortable underwear and clothing directly after shaving, suggests FitSugar.com. When you wear tight clothes, your underwear can rub against the raw skin and create bumps. Tight clothes can also force bacteria and oil into the skin. Instead, loose clothing made from natural fibers gives your bikini line a chance to breathe and heal from shaving for a smoother look.
Step 4
Smooth on a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream if you notice swelling and bumps. Hydrocortisone cream temporarily restricts blood vessels to help shrink red bumps and relieve itching and redness. Keep a tube in your beach bag for quick applications if you notice redness when you change into your swimsuit.
Step 5
Look for any signs of ingrown hairs. If you notice a red bump with a loop of hair on top, you've got an ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs occur when the hair doubles back and punctures the top of the skin, growing into the surface rather than out of the skin. To get rid of the ingrown hair, sterilize a set of tweezers in boiling water, allow the tweezers to cool and then locate the loop of hair. Gently insert the tweezers into the loop and tug so that the ingrown side of the hair is released from the skin. Avoid plucking the hair out completely, as it can leave the bump open to infection.
Step 6
Switch to waxing if nothing seems to help your bumpy bikini line. You may have sensitive skin that is incompatible with shaving. Waxing pulls the hair out from the root, and is the best way to get a smooth bikini line without bumps, notes "Marie Claire" magazine. Visit a reputable aesthetician in a clean salon to avoid the spread of bacteria near your bikini line.
Things You'll Need
- Shave gel
- New razor
- Antibacterial soap
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Wax kit
