Dear Nicki,Your blog is fantastic; you should be so proud! I know we haven’t talked in a long time but it’s amazing to see you following through on your dreams in such a big way!!!SO….my question is a bit of a sensitive one, which is why I didn’t want to post by way of facebook. I have keratosis pilaris, as I was told by a derm in Pittsburgh. I guess I’m a bit of an unusual case, though, in that I don’t get it in the typical places. Mine is worst on my legs, particularly my calves, and around my bikini area (boo!). On top of that, I have very sensitive skin. Before I knew exactly what I had, I knew that shaving was a very obnoxious process, often resulting in irritated bumps, pain from cutting, and extreme dryness. I’ve achieved some relief, especially by using a natural shaving cream, Kiss My Face, and by using both Cera Ve and AmLactin lotions. To add to the difficulty of the situation, I have coarse, fast-growing hair. I feel like I’ve more or less conquered my leg-related irritation, but my bikini area is a constant problem, even when I use those products. I’m always getting ingrown hairs and red irritation that can’t withstand shaving. Any suggestions?-M
Dear M,
Thanks for the letter – it was great to hear from you!
Shaving can result in ingrown hair, razor burn, and folliculitis. Unfortunately, waxing in the delicate bikini area has also been shown to cause ingrown hairs. I can think of five tips to help you:
1.) Use a three or five-blade razor.
Despite decades of strides for equality, women still get declared as the weaker sex in certain areas. Razor blades are no exception. Yet, for the delicate bikini area, you’re better off using a man’s three- or five-blade razor than the single-blade women’s razor – and men’s shaving cream. Why? Less blades means more strokes, which equates to more chances for irritation and, ultimately, infection.
2. Try men’s shaving cream.
Men’s shaving cream typically holds the thicker hair of the bikini hair better than most women’s formulas. While men’s shaving creams vary in their composition, most contain the soap ingredient stearic acid and the surfactant triethanolamine as main ingredients, which make for a streamline shaving experience. Try the Schick Hydro 5 and Barbasol Thick and Rich Shaving Cream.
3.) Make sure that you are shaving in the right direction.
While most shaving should be done against the direction of the hair, the hair in the delicate bikini region is different, according to Alison Amoroso, M.Ed., author of Unwanted Hair and Hirsutism and contributor to Our Bodies, Our Selves. According to Amoroso, “For areas that are sensitive, such as the bikini line, shave with the direction of the hair.”
4.) Use witch hazel after each shave.
Before you try this, note witch hazel has also been documented to cause contact dermatitis in some patients with sensitive skin, so it is important to patch test the treatment on a small area of skin first. However, if you are not sensitive to witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) , it is a natural astringent that is excellent in preventing inflammation and irritation after a shave. According to the journal Archives of Dermatology, it is the tannins that act as natural astringents, drying out oozing or bleeding wounds. Witch hazel is also cited in Complimentary Therapies in Medicine to have anti-inflammatory properties.
5.) Switch to a depilatory.
Depilatories, which work by softening and dissolving the keratin within the hair so it is easily removed, are often your best bet for the delicate bikini area. Nair Cocoa Butter Hair Removal lotion works exceptionally well for this purpose.
What has always worked for me is crystal deodorant. After either shaving or waxing, use crystal deodorant for 2 to 3 days and it prevents the bumps and rashy look.