Shaving bumps in the bikini area can put a serious damper on your day at the beach. Not only are they unsightly, but they can be itchy and even painful. Most often caused by razor rash or ingrown hairs, the shaving bumps are fairly easy to prevent as long as you follow the correct procedure for shaving your bikini line. A sharp razor paired with a moisturizing shave cream can help you get a more comfortable shave and a smoother result when shaving your bikini line.
Step 1
Soak in a warm bath or have a shower before you shave, suggests Evelyn Placek, M.D., dermatologist and doctor of internal medicine of a private practice in Scarsdale, New York. If you aren't able to have a bath or shower, hold a washcloth that you've soaked with warm water on the bikini area for at least 5 minutes. The heat from the warm water will both open pores and soften the coarse hair so you're able to get a smoother shave and the hair is cut more easily.
Step 2
Use a brand new razor each time you shave your bikini area. Older razors don't cut as sharply, and can sometimes tear at the hair, resulting in ingrown hairs and bumps. A brand new razor is much sharper, and result in a quicker shave with less drag, which is what irritates the delicate skin on your bikini area.
Step 3
Shave only when you have a suitable shave gel or cream to use over the area. Shave gel is your skin's moisture barrier against the drying effects of the razor. What's more, shaving without first lathering up well could expose you to more cuts and irritations, due to the razor being dragged over the skin. Use a generous amount of shave gel before you put razor to skin, especially in the more delicate areas of your body.
Step 4
Pull the razor in the direction of the hair growth, recommends DarmaDoctor.com. On the bikini area, this means shaving downward. Shaving against the grain can cut the hair too short, resulting in ingrown hairs and bumps. It is also more irritating. While you may not get as close of a shave in shaving with the direction of hair growth, your shave will be smoother and bump-free.
Step 5
Try another means of hair removal if the proper preparation and technique still cause you to get shaving bumps. Your skin may simply be too sensitive on your bikini area to shave. Waxing, depilatories and laser hair removal are all better options for bump-prone skin.
Things You'll Need
- New razor
- Water
- Shave cream
- Moisturizer
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