Get Bikini Ready!

Dr. Irwin
July 1, 2009

 Learning how to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Many bathing suits, bikinis or not, reveal the creases of the groin area. Most women shave or wax or both in this area in summer, and those ingrown hairs and inflamed hair follicles are ANNOYING!

If you’re shaving, you need hot water (bath preferably) on the area for a few minutes, a good shaving lotion (doesn’t need to be expensive but not soap), and a sharp razor. Many women use disposable razors. They just aren’t as good and irritate the follicle more. I highly recommend buying a good quality man’s razor and blades.  Remember to change them often. You can use a little non-prescription hydrocortisone 0.5% right after shaving too. Just don’t use it daily. Do these steps, and you’ll have less trouble. Consider laser hair removal in the area, if these steps don’t work.

If you generally wax, it helps to exfoliate the area gently a couple of times in the week before you plan to wax. This gets rid of dead skin and excess oils. Once the hair is waxed out, you should have less trouble with ingrown hairs. It’s fine to use the hydrocortisone mentioned above after waxing too. Again, consider laser hair removal if you have a lot of ingrown hairs and these steps aren’t working.

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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