Summertime is officially over, but that doesn’t mean that struggle of ingrown hairs around your bikini line has passed. Not only can they become unsightly, they’re also downright painful. Personal grooming should be easy, right? Even if you groom down there all the time, there are still some tips and tricks you don’t know. Read on to learn how you can say goodbye to all of the ingrowns on your bikini line once and for all!
1. You’re not prepping properly
We’ve all been there: you’re already late for a party, your hair is only half curled, you have lipstick all over your teeth and you still haven’t shaved. It’s human nature to look for the easiest solution, reach for the closest razor and do it quickly over the sink.
While this might get you out of the door faster, it definitely won’t help you get a smooth bikini line, and will likely cost you more time and pain in the long run. Its super important to prep your skin before a shave, no matter your time constraint. First, exfoliate your skin as ingrown hairs are likely to occur when dead skin cells clog the hair follicle, which can cause the hair to grown in a weird way (such as sideways!). Next, its important to never shave dry — use a shaving gel, soap or conditioner instead. This lubrication ensures that you are less likely to drag the blade when you shave, which can cause irritation.
2. You’re shaving in the wrong direction
Did you know that petting a snake in the opposite direction of its scales can cause it immense pain? Well that same rule of thumb should be applied when you’re shaving. If you shave in the opposite direction to the way that your hair grows, you are cutting the hairs at a much sharper angle. Not only can this lead to stubble feeling more “prickly” when it grows back in, but it leads to these hairs actually being more likely to grow back under the skin, which can result in a patch of ingrown hairs!
The best way to ensure that you’re shaving all in one direction is to take your time and actually focus on what you’re doing. We completely understand that this might not be as easy to do at 7 a.m. before work, so shave at a time when you’re not already late for something before you even step into the shower.
3. Get the best razor for your skin
Unsurprisingly, not all razors are created equal. Chances are, the one that you bought for a dollar on a weekend getaway because you forgot yours at home isn’t going to be your best bet. It’s best to use a single-blade razor since the standard multi-blade system runs the risk of cutting off hairs below the skin, resulting in ingrowns. Try out these BIC Single Blade Shavers [for] Sensitive Skin ($8.19 at Walmart) that are highly rated on Amazon for preventing ingrown hairs and being soft on the skin.
Still getting ingrown hairs? Check out this post to see how to get rid of them after they appear… stat.