Shaving Survival Guide: Bikini and Body Hair
Spring is right around the corner, and summer is soon to come! Dresses and skirts are going to be worn and legs will be shown, therefore smooth and glowy skin is to be expected. However, some may not have a routine or even shave at all but if you're looking, why not now?
First things first, the bikini line and body hair should each be treated differently. The hair in the bikini area can be much thicker compared to hair on your legs. If you don’t have a set shaving routine, showers can take longer and not only would you be wasting water but precious time. It can be challenging to find what products to use, what order to use them in, and how they benefit your skin, but we are here to help!
1. Find a Razor
When looking for a razor we recommend a five-blade razor or single-blade razor also known as a safety razor. Gillette emphasizes that five blade razors provide a comfortable and closer shave.
The Gillette Venus has a ball that allows the razor head to pivot making it easier to glide over knees and under the arms.
Flamingo is a women empowered brand that makes razors with a flexible head, silicone support exterior, and a shower holder. However, a men’s safety razor can be beneficial to women as well. According to Rockwell Razors, safety razors reduce irritation, razor bumps, and prevent ingrown hairs.
The King C. Gillette uses stainless steel razors to graze the surface of the skin for a smooth, clean, shave. All these shavers are all recyclable and the razors can be changed.
2. Exfoliate
However, before even thinking about purchasing a razor we must have a scrub to exfoliate. According to Dove, exfoliating before and after shaving helps “buff and prepare your skin” so the product leaves your skin feeling soft while still getting a smooth shave.
Dove’s Exfoliating Body Polish gently removes dead skin while nourishing the top layer.
Tree Hut’s Shea Sugar Scrub has a non-slip consistency and comes in many scents. It’s also made with shea butter which is great for hydrating the skin.
The Gillette Venus’ Skin Smoothing Exfoliant can be used with the matching razor and is also an affordable option. This one is different from the rest because it can specifically be used for the body as well as the pubic area which not many exfoliants offer.
3. Unscented Shaving Cream
To get a good shave, foam or gel shaving cream is a must. It’s better to choose a fragrance-free option because you are less likely to cause irritation to the skin while shaving. According to Verywellhealth, fragrance free products are recommended for people with sensitive skin suffering from redness, dry skin, acne, and inflammation.
Harry’s Foaming Shave Gel is scented with aloe. Healthline explains that aloe has medicinal properties that can hydrate the skin and provide a cooling effect to avoid any redness.
The Gillette Venus 2-in1 Cleanser + Shave Gel can be used as soap or a translucent shaving cream. It has pH balancing properties, and its purpose is to provide an ‘extra layer of skin’ for a better shave.
Flamingo’s Foaming Shave Gel with aloe gives a luscious lather and can be paired with their razor.
4. Body Lotion
After scrubbing the oils and dead skin off, it’s time for a good moisturizer. After shaving you may see your skin immediately turn cracked and dry a few minutes after being out of the shower. When shaving, you are now welcoming a new layer of skin which means once you step out the shower and dry off, your skin will lose moisture. Therefore, you must bring the skin back to life. We personally recommend sticking to unscented options but there are other fragranced alternatives.
Ouai Body Créme is a thick floral scented body butter that adds moisture and glow to the skin. It has ingredients like squalene and coconut oil, which helps replenish the skin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is specifically formulated with colloidal oatmeal for extremely dry skin, eczema, redness, and rashes. It has shea butter, and allantoin which helps calm and soothe the skin.
La Roche-Posay is a recommended dermatologist tested brand that has forty-eight-hour moisture and includes ingredients like niacinamide that helps with fine lines, wrinkles, and pore appearance, according to Healthline.
5. ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation
Now ingrown hair, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration may not happen to everyone, but it happens to most whether it’s hereditary, from past scarring, or shaving. Ingrown hair happens after the hair has been removed when it grows back into the skin instead of outward which can cause pain.
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads are for single use only, to prevent razor burns or bumps. It’s safe for sensitive skin and uses ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid to brighten and smooth the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Topicals products are known for helping with discoloration and dark spots. The Faded Serum gets rid of scarring, blemishes, and discoloration over time and is gentle enough for daily use. The High Roller is a hygienic way of treating ingrown hairs, very easy to use, and an innovative way to treat hair in hard-to-reach places.
Hopefully these products get your shaving routine up and running if you don’t have one already. If you’re looking for in depth tips on how to shave your legs, bikini area, and intimate places check out websites like Dove, Gillette Venus, and Joy+Glee. For more tips on shaving, read our article “How To Shave *Down There*: Tips For a Smooth Vagina.”
Let us know how this benefits your shaving routine and what products you will be trying in the comments below.