How To Trim Pubic Hair Without Irritation

First things first: In that location's no one right style to deal with pubic hair. Yous can leave it how information technology grows, shave it into a shape, wax information technology off completely, trim it a little chip, or something else entirely—it's all fine. At the end of the day, how you decide to handle your torso (including your pubic hair!) is entirely up to you.

That beingness said, if you do determine to change your pubic pilus in some style, you want to be armed with the right tools and info to avoid getting any nicks, bumps, or razor burn considering those tin exist uncomfortable anywhere, but especially down there. Read on for expert tips on how to shave your pubic hair and answers to all your questions about preparation.

First of all, practice I have to?

Nosotros get it. You're bombarded by what seems similar a million messages near pube grooming—friends who talk about being totally bare, waxing ads at every salon— and you lot're like: Is this the norm? Am I a freak? Should I shave it all off ASAP? But the truth is, some girls similar a blank bikini area, while others become a little freaked past feeling exposed. Some may be into a picayune bit of a trim, but non all that psyched about the budget of taking it all off.

Consider your pubic-hair stylings a very personal preference, says Jennifer Ashton, MD, an ob-gyn and author of The Body Scoop for Girls . Only like annihilation else you'd practice to your bod—your haircut, your boom fine art, your makeup routine (or lack thereof)—go with what feels right for you.

Should I shave, or wax, or… something else?

Waxing is fine—and TBH, it will probably leave you lot with a smoother surface and slightly less frequent budget than shaving—simply real talk: Ripping your hair out can exist pretty painful. On the other hand, depilatory creams can exist adequately painless, but y'all have to read the package and the instructions very carefully, considering not all are made for the uber-sensitive pare of your vulva and bikini line.

And even those that are can irritate—or fire—your skin if left on besides long. Shaving, can feel like an easier and more familiar introduction to bikini-line grooming: You lot've been doing it to your legs, and so you've got the nuts down, correct? Again, though, this decision is upwardly to you. Exercise some inquiry and pick what's best for your situation.

So, how practice yous shave down there anyway?

Permit's say shaving is your choice for pilus removal, in that location are still some specific steps you should have in club to brand sure y'all're taking proper care of yourself downwardly at that place. It sounds complicated, but just follow the steps below and y'all'll be smooth in no time.

1. Trim your pubic hair.

Shaving will exist and so much easier when the hair is shorter. Simply use a minor pair of scissors or a pilus trimmer and cutting down on the pilus then it's most a quarter of an inch long.

Motanar Professional person Training Scissors for Personal Intendance

2. Exfoliate your skin.

This step is of import. "Any fourth dimension you shave or wax, that pilus follicle on your pare is going to be opened upward," explains Dr. Ashton. "That makes it easy for leaner to enter and crusade an infection." So, you want to make sure the surface area is clean earlier you become to piece of work. An exfoliant volition remove dead pare and help to preclude ingrown hairs. Again, make sure you are using a simple product that won't irritate your pare. Too, retrieve that these products are not for inside your vagina, but but the outer area.

Skinfix Resurface+ Glycolic and Lactic Acid Renewing Body Scrub

3. Grab some shaving cream.

Once again, make sure you're choosing a simple shaving cream for sensitive pare. Then, dab it all over your pubic area.

Billie Vitamin Due east Shaving Cream Pump

4. Shave!

It's finally fourth dimension for the big shave. Since pubic hair is the thickest hair on your body, take a brand-new blade or a fresh-and-sharp disposable razor. And so shave downward *with* the hair, i.e. in the direction it's growing. Using small strokes and holding your pare taut with the other mitt volition help protect confronting nicks and cuts. And of grade: Accept. It. Irksome.

Before you lot go completely bare though, keep in heed, certain areas are more sensitive and prone to redness and irritation. "It'due south best to leave the hair right around the vaginal opening alone because the skin in that location is and so sensitive," warns Dr. Holmes. "Trimming is fine, but shaving can create a problem."

5. Moisturize.

After you're done shaving and you've rinsed away the excess cream, moisturize with a fragrance-free lotion.

Verb Torso Lotion

Will it really abound back faster/thicker/darker?

According to Dr. Holmes, that'due south totally a myth. "It has a sharp edge later on y'all shave, and then it simply feels thicker or coarser," she says. In reality, though, the hair hasn't inverse.

What's with all the piddling bumps?

So yous shaved and now it's like your bikini line is breaking out on you. That's likely folliculitis, aka razor burn, and it happens when leaner go within those footling hair follicles and inflame them, causing those prickly pink-and-white bumps y'all're seeing.

Many times this issue will resolve on its own inside a few days, but in the meantime, you can soothe your skin by applying a little 1% hydrocortisone foam (available near the starting time aid products at the drugstore) or an ointment with vitamins A and D/zinc oxide (aka diaper rash cream).

Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

If it doesn't clear up or information technology'due south driving you basics, see your doc for a prescription for an antibiotic. "It can really help," says Dr. Ashton.

Simply I just accept this i Big bump?

It'southward as if the biggest, most painful pimple of your life has sprung correct by your swimsuit line, huh? Don't freak out, it's probably just an ingrown pilus. You go them when dead pare cells clog upwards a pilus follicle and forcefulness the pilus that's inside to grow sideways under the peel (rather than up and out).

Resist the urge to dig or choice, and instead, care for it once a day with a mild toner containing salicylic acid, the aforementioned exfoliating ingredient used to shell acne. See a doctor for treatment if the itching/called-for/pain gets serious.

Paula's Option Peel Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Await, why's it so itchy down in that location now?

Sneaking scratches through your bikini bottoms is not a good look. Most likely, that itching is caused by prickly dry skin or some sort of inflammation. If you're shaving with lather, try switching to shaving cream, since information technology'll moisturize your skin a little more. And to prevent the tiny bumps and micro-nicks that cause the aforementioned irritation, employ a brand-new razor and warm water next time.

I'grand Kim, a freelance author/editor/explainer-of-all-things-awkward. I am also *obsessed* with vintage dresses, the Dogs of Instagram, Taylor Swift, and pizza. (P.Due south. Tweet me your health Qs, plz!)