Keeping your bikini line groomed can be difficult if shaving causes razor bumps. These bumps are unattractive and can be painful. Short of growing out your bikini area, there is no cure for bikini razor bumps. However, knowing what causes razor bumps, and how to treat them, can help you prevent many occurrences.
Identification
Howard Sobel, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist from Manhattan says razor burn is the result of a hair being pushed back into a hair follicle. The follicle then becomes inflamed, creating an ingrown hair. This can be painful and cause bumps along the bikini area.
Symptoms
One of the most common places women get ingrown hairs is along the pubic area, or bikini line. According to Mayo Clinic, small, solid or pus-filled bumps are a symptom of razor burn. Other symptoms include skin darkening, pain, itching and embedded hairs.
Causes
The direction of hair growth along your bikini area, as well as the structure of the hair can affect razor bumps. According to Mayo Clinic, a curved follicle is thought to encourage the occurrence of ingrown hairs. When you shave, the edge of the hair becomes sharp; this is worsened when the hair is dry. When the hair grows back, it begins to curls, entering the skin, causing an ingrown hair, reports Mayo Clinic.
According to Mayo Clinic, when you pull your skin tight while shaving, you cause the hair to retract into the skin, causing ingrown hairs. Using a double-bladed razor can also cause razor burn. According to Mayo Clinic, the first blade pulls the hair, the second cuts it, causing the hair to pull back into the skin.
Prevention
According to Mayo Clinic, to prevent ingrown hairs you should refrain from shaving, plucking and waxing. If you feel it is necessary to remove the hair from your bikini line, think about getting laser hair removal treatments.
If laser removal is not an option, you can reduce your risks of getting bikini line razor bumps at home. According to "Cosmopolitan" magazine, to reduce your risk of developing bikini line razor bumps, make sure you change your razor regularly. It is also recommend that you shave in the direction of hair growth.
Treatment
If your bikini line razor bumps are persistent your doctor may prescribe medications to help you keep them under control. Corticosteroids may be prescribed to aid in any inflammation or swelling along your bikini line. If you are experiencing darkening of the skin, retinoids may be prescribed. Retinoids are also helpful in exfoliating the skin, according to Mayo Clinic.
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