Whether or not it's bikini season, many women spend hours of shower time devoted to perfecting their bikini line. Some women choose to completely leave that area alone, while others get rid of every last hair.
It can be uncomfortable to talk about your hair "down there," but most women have tried hair removal at some point, so it's important to know the best ways to do it.
Whatever style suits your fancy, you've probably used a variety of tools. From razors to hair-removal creams, tweezers to professional waxing, women everywhere prefer different methods of hair elimination.
You may not realize, though, that what you're doing to your bikini line could actually be harming it.
Ever notice redness after shaving? Maybe you've gotten bumps along your bikini line after a wax? Those things actually don't have to happen — and if you know the right ways to care for your bikini line, you can see those painful side effects disappear.
Read on to learn the 12 things you should never do to your bikini line. And please SHARE with your friends and family!
1. Using An Old Razor
Everyone knows that old razors can dull, rust, and warp, but you may not realize how problematic this can be.
Rachel Nazarian, a New York City dermatologist, says, "Since blades tend to dull after a few uses, toss them out by the fourth — or even earlier if you see buildup of dirt or dead skin on your razor."
Using a new razor will help you get a cleaner, closer shave, and will irritate your skin less.
2. Forgetting To Exfoliate
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that can be problematic for hair removal. Bustle reports that exfoliating before waxing and shaving is important for preventing ingrown hairs.
3. Drinking Before A Wax
Having a drink before a wax can feel like a great way to take the edge off and even dull the pain a little, but you should really avoid doing this.
According to Noemi Grupenmager, a waxing expert, drinking before a wax can tighten pores, making waxing more painful.
Alcohol is also a blood thinner, which can make your pelvic area more sensitive to pain.
4. Shaving What You Can't See
OB-GYN Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz explains that if you try to shave areas you can't see, it's easier to cut yourself and get an infection.
"If you can't see what you're doing, you shouldn't be doing it," she says. "Let a professional do it instead."
5. Having Sex, Swimming, Or Exercising Right After A Wax
"Your pores stay open for 24 hours after a wax, and swimming, doing heavy exercise, or having sex could all allow bacteria to get directly into your pores," professional waxer Annie Nicolette Hellmuth explains. "You want to treat freshly waxed skin as an open wound and keep it as clean as possible."
6. Shaving Without Shaving Cream
Using shaving cream might seem like a way to get a nice smell and a soft feel, but there are serious reasons you should use it.
"When you shave, you're shaving your skin, too," says Eileen Bischoff, a hair-removal specialist and aesthetician. "If you don't use enough shaving cream to create enough slip, you'll lightly abrade your skin, leaving it irritated."
7. Using A Razor With Only One Blade
Dermatologist Dendy Engelman wants women to know that they shouldn't use a single-blade razor on their bikini line.
"If there are more blades, it dispenses more pressure, allowing each blade to cut with less force but more effect," she says.
8. Skipping The Moisturizer
Using a calming moisturizer after shaving or waxing can help soothe skin. When choosing a moisturizer or lotion, look for one with naturally calming ingredients, like oatmeal.
9. Using The Wrong Hair-Removal Creams
Hair-removal creams are not all the same. Most hair-removal brands make special formulas for bikini areas, which are the ones you should be sure to use.
10. Wearing Tight Clothes After Shaving
After getting a wax or a shave, you should let your skin breathe. Because your bikini line is sensitive, you should wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear.
11. Forgetting To Trim Before A Wax
Trimming your hair before waxing can make it easier to remove the hair — you want it to be about a quarter of an inch long.
That said, you definitely shouldn't trim it too short, especially before a wax. Make sure you leave them just enough to work with.
12. Forgetting To Immediately Rinse Off
As soon as you're done shaving, you should wash off the area, then hold a cold compress to the skin for about 10 minutes.
Fumi Ozaki, an electrologist and aesthetician in California, says a cold compress can help prevent irritation. She also recommends using an anti-redness serum, which can reduce your risk of razor burn.
Have you ever accidentally done any of these things? Did we leave anything off this list? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to SHARE this article on Facebook!
