Worried about shaving your bikini line and ending up with razor bumps? Here’s how to do it right

While some women prefer to go au naturel down there, others try out all sorts of hair removal methods. Waxing might be one of the preferred methods, but when it comes to the bikini line, not many like to bear the pain. Shaving is the other common hair removal method that is considered to be effective and pocket-friendly. Shaving bikini line needs some patience and practice. If it’s not done right, you can even end up with razor bumps. Read on how to shave bikini line and what to do if you have razor bumps.

Health Shots connected with Delhi-based dermatologist, ENT and hair transplant surgeon Dr Ishan Sardesai, who is the founder of The Face Centre Medical Aesthetic Clinic, and Dr Monica Bambroo, Head Dermatology and Cosmetology, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram on shaving bikini line and what to do in times of razor bumps.

What is a bikini line?

Bikini line is that line of skin that is just around the lower piece of the bikini. Dr Sardesai says that hair growth can be quite thick in this area which is an aesthetic concern for many women. He notes that health-wise, it is not required to remove hair from the bikini line. However, many women prefer to go ahead with hair removal due to aesthetic and hygiene reasons.

Tips to shave bikini line

It may be tricky and difficult at times to groom and keep the area hygienic and clean. Dr Bambroo says it requires you to be extremely careful in handling the hair in this area as the skin is sensitive, but hair is coarse. If you don’t want hot wax to touch your skin, you can go for shaving. Here’s how to do it:

1. Trim first

If your pubic hair is on the longer side, trim it first by using a bikini trimmer or a pair of scissors. Be careful while choosing the shaving tools.

2. Use a sharp razor blade

Sharp blade will help to cut your pubic hair better while a dull one can irritate your skin.

3. Hydrate your bikini line

Use warm water and soak your pubic are for five minutes. You can take a shower or bathe for that.

4. Use shaving gel

You can even use a soap but a gentle would be gentler and will help the blade to glide more easily across your skin.

5. Start shaving

Gently shave your bikini line in the direction of your hair growth without applying much pressure on your razor.

After you are done shaving, rinse off your bikini line with cool water then pat your skin dry.

Common mistakes while shaving bikini line

Shaving might look easy, but women do make some mistakes in hair removal down there. Dr Bambroo says that some use the same razor repeatedly or use the razor harshly and do it without looking directly on the area. Reverse shaving against the direction of the hair and dry shaving without using any gel or foam or cream are other common mistakes while shaving the bikini line. Making these mistakes can lead to razor bumps, dryness, irritation, and ingrown hair.

Dealing with razor bumps

When you aren’t careful while shaving, you can end up with razor bumps.

Some of the things that you can do are:

• Apply a soothing gel like aloe vera gel after shaving.
• In case of any redness post-shaving you can apply a mild steroid-based cream on the red areas.
• Avoid heavy exercise, tight clothing and swimming for a couple of days after shaving.
• Continue using a moisturiser after shaving as along with the bumps the skin can become dry after shaving.
• Razor bumps, dry and irritated skin can also be managed with coconut oil, which helps because of its soothing and hydrating nature.

Hair removal options

You can always remove pubic hair at home. Hair removal creams are also easily found in stores, but Dr Bambroo says that it can lead to irritation and sensitivity of the skin, especially if kept for a long duration of time. It can also cause discolouration and darkening of the skin of the area if used for long. So, before using these depilatory creams, do a test patch and keep the cream for minimum possible time.

If you are prone to razor bumps or find shaving to be a cumbersome process, laser hair reduction using a top quality diode hair laser is the best option, suggests Dr Sardesai. Laser hair removal can have side effects, so the procedure should ideally be done by a profession. The number of sessions required depends on the hair growth, but usually six sessions of laser hair reduction one month apart are recommended for the best results.

Ultimately, shaving your bikini line is a personal choice, so don’t get pressured into doing it.