Bikini Area Maintenance 101
We’ve all been there: you know you’ll be spending the day in a bikini and you forgot to groom ~down there~. While there is nothing wrong with going au naturel, we know that when hair removal is the goal, the safer method of a bikini wax, lasering, cover-up, or sugaring can be a bit out of reach. So, sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do and shave her bikini area. Here is a step-by-step guide to avoid irritation and safely remove unwanted hair.
1. Start with a good razor!
A good razor has multiple blades, allowing your razor to cut through more unwanted hair with less effort and reduced irritation.
2. Prep the area
If you are shaving in the shower, perfect! Warm water and steam will help to soften the skin on your bikini area and make it easier to remove hair from the root. Next, you will want to lightly exfoliate the area with a washcloth or a gentle scrub. This will eliminate dead skin cells that can clog your hair follicles and cause ingrown hairs!
3. Use shaving cream
Contrary to popular belief, shaving cream does have a purpose! A thin layer of shaving cream creates a barrier on top of the skin to help your razor glide on top of the hair and ensure that you are not shaving the skin directly.
4. Be aware of the direction you are shaving in
Shaving side to side and up and down might get rid of your hair but at the cost of nicks and irritation. To create a smooth shave, shave in the direction of the hair growth. If you followed step 1 and are using a razor with multiple blades, you should only need to go over the area once.
5. Apply a cold compress
Once you have finished shaving, wash off any excess shaving cream and apply a cool compress to the area for 5-10 minutes. This cooling effect will help close the hair follicles and provide relief from ingrown hairs.
6. Maintain moisture
Keep your bikini area hydrated to avoid any discomfort by carefully applying an unscented, moisturizer on your bikini line.
7. Clean your razor
Finally, be sure to clean and sanitize your razor with hot water and rubbing alcohol to preserve the longevity of the blades. Make sure to store your razor in a cool and dry place before your next shave to reduce exposure to bacteria and moisture.
If you choose to forgo bikini hair removal, it is still important to moisturize and exfoliate the area to prevent irritation or nuisances like ingrown hairs.
Once you have completed these steps, you will be free to throw on your bikini (we know it’s a ByLil one, duh) and enjoy a worry-free, hair-free beach day!