Shave Your Bikini Area Completely

If you'd like to try the Brazilian wax look but you're wary of a stranger dripping hot wax on you, a careful shave will give you nearly the same look, pain-free. This article will show you how to become a pro at shaving your bikini area completely, safely, and easily.

10 Second Summary

1. Trim the hairs down to 1/4" (6 mm) with scissors.
2. Take a warm shower.
3. Exfoliate your skin with a loofa.
4. Apply a shaving gel or cream.
5. Shave with long, even strokes with the direction of hair growth.
6. Rinse the public area with water.

Steps

Shaving Your Front

  1. Decide what you want your mons pubis (the of pubic hair under your belly button) to look like. Choose the option that makes you feel the best. You have a few options:
    • Shave it all off. There are no health risks to shaving all of your hair off as long as you do it hygienically, use a new razor, use an anti-septic after shaving and don't cut yourself.
    • Use a stencil. You will place a stencil, like a small heart, over your pubic area. Then, you'll shave around the stencil to leave a section of hair with a fun shape over your pubic area. You can find stencil kits at most adult stores or online.
    • Create a landing strip. Your landing strip, or a line extending up from your labial part toward your belly button, can be either whisper thin (good for thick, unruly hair) or slightly wider (for thin, sparse hair).
  2. Trim your pubic hair with scissors to about 1/4" (6 mm) in length before you get into the shower. Your razor may be gel-filled and have more blades than a small child can count, but you still need to be nice to it. Any longer and it won't work as efficiently.
    • To trim the most efficiently, pull the hair toward you and cut in small sections. It doesn't all have to be even, it just has to be short.
    • If the idea of taking scissors down there...gives you the heebie jeebies, use electric trimmers that don't have rotating heads. The blades can only get so close to your skin.
  3. Soften your hair by taking a shower. You can also soak in the tub for a little while before standing up in the shower to shave the area. Getting the follicles soft will make the hair easier to shave on the first go-round. If you want to wash the area, clean it before you start shaving to avoid irritating your exposed skin later.
    • If you're away from a shower (and have a desperate, desperate need to shave your bikini area -- maybe you're stranded on a desert island?), take a wet washcloth and leave it on the area for 5 to 10 minutes. The same effect can be garnered from this, too.
  4. Exfoliate. You're probably going to come across people or places that tell you to lather, shave, and exfoliate -- in that order. But if you wanna be a pubic shaving pro (and who doesn't?!), exfoliate before and after. It'll align your hairs all in the same direction, making your razor's job ten times easier. It also removes that extra dead skin, freeing your razor to get even closer to the hair's root.
    • Just use your normal shower exfoliate for this part. Grab your loofah and go to town like you usually do!
  5. Wet the area with warm shower water and smooth shaving gel over it. This part is imperative. Never shave without some sort of lubricant. If you don't use shaving cream, you will find yourself in the midst of a red, bumpy, unattractive mess. Nobody wants that.
    • It's best to use unscented shaving cream designed for the bikini area. If you have particularly sensitive skin, test an area before you apply it all over. Once in a while, people have allergic reactions.
      • Shop for a transparent, non-foamy shower gel so that you can see what you're doing while you shave.
  6. Briefly wet a new razor. The more blades, the better -- the fewer it has (and the older it is), the more times you'll have to go over the area (and that doesn't include time spent reapplying shaving cream). Get one with those fancy lubrication pads on it, too, for good measure.
    • You can reuse your razor if you take good care of it but preferably use a new disposable razor each time. Make sure you wash it after you're done, but don't leave it wet -- water will erode the metal of the blades, tarnishing and weakening them.
  7. Shave with long, slow, even strokes along the direction of hair growth. This cuts each hair straight across so no sharp pointy bits dig in. Put your hand onto your stomach just above the mons pubis to make sure the skin over your mons pubis is smooth and taut.
    • When shaving, let the blade do the work. Avoid pressing down into your skin. Keep the number of passes of the razor low; each pass removes surface skin, too.
    • If you have thick, curly hair and you're having a tough time shaving it, try using an electric razor to trim it down even more before you use the handheld razor for the finishing touches.
    • Rinse your razor between strokes if it becomes clogged with hair.

Shaving Between Your Thighs

  1. Bend at the waist and lift your first leg. Try starting with the side opposite your dominant hand (e.g., if you're right-handed, start with your left side). Generally, that side is much easier and quicker to do. Bending over will help you to see the area clearly. Prop your raised leg on the shower wall or sink if you need to.
    • The process for this section is the same as the one outlined above when it comes to exfoliating and whatnot. However, razor burn and ingrown hairs are less likely to show up down here, so the hardest part is over.
  2. Wet the area and apply shaving gel to the area. Take care not to get any gel or other shower products in between the labia. If you find it running off under the shower water, you'll need to reapply.
  3. Shave with smooth, horizontal strokes from the outside in. That is, if you're shaving your left side, shave from left to right. Use a light touch. Stop each stroke before the end of the labium in the center. Rinse any excess shaving gel when you are done shaving the first side.
    • You may want to spread your legs further apart to keep the skin you're shaving taut, so that you won't run into any folded or wrinkled skin while you're shaving.
    • Shave the other side of your labia and your other inner thigh crease following the same technique.

Preventing Irritation

  1. Exfoliate again. You're probably thinking, "This again?" Yes. This again! Exfoliating after gets rid of the dead skin your razor whipped up and aligns your follicles preventing ingrown hairs (which are the worst).
    • A sugar scrub at this point can work wonders. If that's not in your bathroom, make a baking soda paste to leave your skin smooth to the touch. This is obviously bikini shaving to the extreme -- warranting the absolute most top-notch results.
  2. Pat your bikini area dry with a soft towel. Don't rub your bikini area vigorously, or you may irritate the delicate skin. It's just been through a lot!
    • If you notice any stray hairs, grab a pair of tweezers to put the finishing touches on the area. Sometimes you can spend what seems like hours down there shaving and you've still missed a few.
  3. Moisturize. Use something that is non-scented as perfumes can be irritating, especially to freshly shaven skin. Aloe vera and baby oil are good standard options.
    • Avoid coloring agents, too. If you use lotion, make sure it's the plainest kind you can buy. You can spray on some scents later if you'd like.
  4. Pat your pubic area with some baby powder. You may also apply baby lotion to the area to reduce irritation. Just don't go overboard! Smothering the area won't let your skin breathe, leading to pimples and the like. Make sure to only apply these products externally.
  5. Allow at least a few days in between shaves. For a constantly hair-free look, you may have to look at other hair removal techniques, such as waxing or laser hair removal. Shaving works, but it requires constant upkeep.

Tips

  • You may experience a lot of itchiness as the hair grows back. However, you'll minimize itching if you use long, slow strokes when shaving and shave with a new clean razor. Fortunately, the itchiness usually disappears after a few shaves.
  • Look out for red bumps on the days after you shave. You can apply a special ointment to eliminate red bumps in your bikini area. Look for an ointment at your drugstore or supermarket.
  • Aloe Vera is a good gel to use for shaving. It also helps with preventing and treating itching and irritation afterwords.
  • eos makes a shaving cream that can be used dry. Pubic hair is tough and thick. It can dull expensive razors very quickly. While this shaving cream is great, it can also lead to your blade dulling quickly. If you're on a tight budget, use a cheaper razor with shaving cream. You can use dry to remove most of the hair quickly and use the expensive razor for touch ups in the shower.
  • Always use shaving gels, soaps, and lotions that you know your skin won't react to. Avoid using a new bath product for the first time in your bikini area.
  • If you're scared to shave your whole bikini area right away, start by shaving your bikini line. As you get used to working down there, you can ease into shaving the whole area.
  • Tight underwear or pants can cause irritation after shaving while cotton underwear and loose pants will help keep razor bumps and ingrown hairs away.
  • Leave coconut oil or olive oil on your bikini area for about half an hour before you get in the shower. It'll soften the hair and make it easier to mow down.
  • Always shave in the shower, not dry. If you don't have a shower, then just apply a washcloth for 5 minutes before you start to shave.
  • Try using coconut oil and a couple drops of tea tree oil. The coconut oil moisturizes, while the tea tree stops irritation, bumps, and ingrown hairs.
  • Trim your hair down to make shaving easier, quicker, and less painful.
  • Use conditioner - it helps for the red bumps.
  • Try not to shave against the grain of the hair, this can lead to severe razor burn and hundreds of small nicks and cuts. If you feel the need to do this (shaving downwards usually leaves behind a sandpaper like stubble, no matter how well you do it. Shaving upwards doesn't (but has consequences). Make sure to use a fresh, clean, razor (the one you shaved with downwards is likely to have stray hairs and skin cells stuck on or between the blades) as lightly against the skin as you can while still getting the last bits of hair. If you feel pain or see red dots your doing it to hard and causing small cuts. Always use a slippery shaving liquid or gel, this will reduce some of the cuts. However, the first time you shave against the grain you will likely suffer from severe irritation, cuts and probably a few pimples and bumps. This will go away as you get used to and better at shaving in this manner.
  • Hair conditioner is a fantastic substitute for shaving cream. Apply generously to prevent any razor burns or cuts.
  • Try using cornstarch instead of baby powder. Especially if the baby powder seems to irritate your skin.
  • Wear loose underwear for roughly half an hour afterwards.

Warnings

  • Don't shave dry. Repeat: Do not shave dry.
  • Never use an electric razor with rotating blades in your pubic area. One word--OUCH!
  • Avoid using depilatory cream if you want to go completely bare. Depilatories will work on your bikini line, but they could leave chemical burns on the sensitive skin next to your sex organs.
  • Don't shave the same spot over and over again! You will create ingrown hairs which are a pain to deal with and aren't very attractive!
  • Do not apply unknown shaving creams.
  • Stop shaving immediately if you experience any irritation or cuts, and rinse your irritation or cut thoroughly with clear, running water. Never shave skin that is already irritated or is in any way unhealthy.
  • Do not shave upwards towards your body or over recent razor bumps.
  • Do not apply any perfume, body spray or feminine deodorant spray to the area immediately post shave. The spray will sting, and it may irritate your skin.
  • Avoid wearing skintight clothing. Tight clothing can cause irritation and can also cause ingrown hairs to form.[1]

[2]

Things You'll Need

  • Transparent shave gel
  • New, clean razor
  • Stencil (optional)
  • Electric razor or scissors
  • Soft towel
  • Baby powder or baby lotion
  • Loofah
  • Exfoliating shower gel

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/skin-care-makeup/bikini-line-hair-removal
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rf169
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