Red bumps after shaving your bikini area usually occur when newly shaved hair curves back and grows into your skin or becomes caught under the skin, forming ingrown hairs. This can cause irritation and inflammation. Fortunately, the condition usually goes away on its own if you stop shaving until the bumps disappear. In addition, you can use a few techniques to prevent this from occurring in the future.
Cause
Ingrown hair tends to occur after shaving because the newly shaved hair edge is sharper and can more easily penetrate the skin. If you shave the hair very closely, this can cause hair under the skin to become trapped in the follicle.
Inflammation
When hair follicle inflammation develops from these ingrown hairs, the technical term is Pseudofolliculitis barbae, as noted by Nios Permanent Hair Removal Center. The resulting red bumps are commonly called razor bumps or shaving bumps. The condition is much more likely with curly hair, explaining why it tends to occur in the pubic hair area, including along the bikini line. Razor bumps also are frequent in the beard area of men with curly hair.
Treatment
If the red bumps feel uncomfortable, apply a cortisone cream. The bumps will resolve on their own if you stop shaving. Shaving can make them worse, cautions NIOS. It may result in irritation and acne-like pustules that can become infected. Topical antibiotics can treat the infection, but infected bumps can leave permanent scars.
Shaving Tips
If you feel you need to shave while you have these red bumps, doing so every other day rather than daily is better, advises the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, or AOCD. An electric razor is recommended because it does not shave as closely as a blade. If you use a blade, first soften the hair with a hot, wet cloth for five minutes, then apply a lubricating shaving gel, but not shaving cream. Use only one stroke over each area, do not press down with the razor and do not stretch your skin. These methods also can prevent shaving bumps in the future.
Alternatives
You might consider shaving alternatives if you have chronic problems with red bumps after shaving the bikini area. Apply a cream depilatory product two or three times a week, as long as the cream does not irritate your skin. The AOCD recommends not using these products when you have any shaving bumps since that skin is more easily irritated. A bikini wax is another option after the condition heals. Permanent hair removal by laser or electrolysis is available, but these methods are pricey and require repeated visits.
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