10 Ways to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
It is common to experience skin irritation, tiny pimples or razor rash soon after having a shave using a razor blade. This condition is called a razor bump, and occurs particularly on the sensitive body parts like the bikini area.
The ingrown hair may curl, re-enter and puncture the skin, causing inflammation and redness, and in severe cases, scarring and swelling may also occur. What is the cause for these razor bumps? The immune system treats this in-growing and curling hair as pathogenic and foreign substances. It is through the production of immune response against these substances that the burning sensation (razor bumps) occurs. Efforts to get rid of razor bumps on bikini area may prove futile or even worse if you do not use the right ways. What are the best techniques to eradicate this condition?
1.) Use a Sharp Razor to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
The best and right way to ensure your razor is clean and sharp is by using it not more than two times. Dull blades do not only irritate your skin around the follicle, but leave a stump of hair with pointed heads that re-enter and puncture the skin, causing razor bumps. In addition, old and dull blades may facilitate multiplication of harmful bacteria, which can easily enter the irritated area during shaving. If you do not have a new blade, ensure you treat the old one with alcohol before using it.
Start by shaving the bikini area first and while your blade is sharpest before you move to other less sensitive areas. You may even try men’s razors. They work remarkably.
2.) Exfoliation to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Apply a moisturizer or exfoliant such as a mitt, washcloth, or loofahs sponge twice a week. This technique prevents razor bumps by removing dead cells that block hair follicles. It also provides a smooth surface, which makes the blade cut easily and prevent irritating the skin. Exfoliation also frees any hair trapped within the bumps, opens up any clogged pores, prevents the spread of infection to other areas from the existing razor bumps, and eliminates the formation of news ones. If the skin is already inflamed, it is best to wait for a day after shaving before you exfoliate to reduce further irritation.
3.) Shaving in a warm Shower to Get Rid Of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Take a warm shower before shaving, ensure you wash the area well and apply a moisturizer containing alpha hydroxy or glycolic acids. Instead, you can also lay a wet and warm washcloth over the area for about five minutes before shaving. Warm water or washcloth softens the hair and prevents irritation. You can also wash the area with salicylic acid to kill any possible present bacteria. After shaving, you should apply cold water to close up the skin pores and prevent further irritation and infections.
4.) Avoid Shaving Against the Grain to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Move slowly when shaving and stroke the razor blade in the direction of your hair growth but do not move in the opposite direction (against the grain). For example, if your hair grows downwards, you should start at the top moving downwards. It is not recommendable to shave against the grain since it increases the chances of cutting off the hair below your skin level. This action does not only irritate the skin but facilitates an ingrown hair. Ensure you do not press the razor so hard against the skin, since it is so easy to cut or spread infections to these sensitive areas. Always trim the hair down first before shaving.
5.) Baking Soda to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Since baking soda is an anti-inflammatory agent, it soothes the skin thus preventing any irritation and razor bump development. In addition, it has amphoteric properties, meaning that it controls the imbalanced pH level necessary to reduce the inflammation. Mix one cup of water with one teaspoonful of baking soda thoroughly, and apply it on the affected area particularly after having a shave. Allow this mixture to remain on the area for about three to five minutes. Rinse the area with cold water to facilitate pore closing. The burning sensation and redness should disappear after a short while. Repeat this action two times daily until you are contented.
6.) Do not Shave every day to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Ensure you do not often shave; allow the hair to grow a little bit and give the developing razor time to heal. Take about three days off in between shaving. Often shaving facilitates tear and irritation, which further opens the recovering bumps to infections.
7.) Wear the Right Underwear to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Too much friction and pressure on bikini area can prevent pubic hair from growing in the right way, thus facilitating irritation, ingrown hair, and most importantly red bumps. It is imperative to wear a smooth underwear and big enough to cover the entire area to reduce pressure and friction against your clothes. In addition, wear non-textured cotton underwear and not the ones made from synthetic materials, to allow your skin to breathe and prevent accumulation of bacteria that may cause razor bumps.
8.) Do not Pick or Scratch the Area
Picking your Razor bumps on/in the bikini area only facilitates the multiplication of bacteria. This action causes more pain and redness and slows the healing process. If you accidentally touch the area, it is best to apply hydrogen peroxide two times on that day, or wash the area clean with a zit zapping facial cleanser. This action will immediately erase any developing discomfort by eliminating any bump causing bacteria.
9.) Aloe Vera to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Aloe Vera acts both as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent that is essential in moisturizing and healing bumps on sensitive skin areas. In addition, it is not smelly like other post-shave treatments such as glycolic and salicylic acids, and is very compatible with almost all skin types if not all.
Apply a fresh gel from Aloe-Vera leaves to the affected area, allow this product to dry on its own, and then rinse it with cool water. Repeat this technique two to three times a day until the area recovers.
10.) Hydrocortisone Cream to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area
Hydrocortisone cream has the ability for reducing redness, swelling, inflammation and razor bumps. Just apply one percent of this cream on the area and within no time, soreness, razor burns, and bumps will be over. Other very common treatments to apply include essential oils, honey and Vinegar, oatmeal, Retin-A cream, Tea tree oil, and olive oil, and Witch hazel. They all have antibacterial and skin-soothing properties.
Other Useful Tips to Get Rid of Razor Bumps on Bikini Area:
It is best to use only the gels that you are sure they are clinically approved. Although a number of people use the regular body wash soaps to wash the bikini area before shaving and do not seem to suffer from any side-effects, this action is not recommended. Unnoticeable symptoms might be developing over time, which can be a challenge to cure when it is too late. Many medically-approved shaving gels are readily available in the market.
Keep your skin healthily, hydrated, and aerated all the time, and do not apply products like deodorant soaps to prevent drying the bikini area.
If you have razor bumps, ingrown hair and are experiencing irritation, it is advisable to wait until they heal completely before shaving again. The manner in which you follow the above points will determine how fast you will recover from this condition.
This area of your body is very important, sensitive and prone to infections. Keep bikini area clean all the time and if you feel that something is not going okay even after following the above guidelines, visit your doctor for check-ups and advice.