Potential TMI Ladies: How do you deal with your bikini area? Or HOLY MOTHER OF OWE!

[SwimmingRiddles]

Sweet fancy mosas. I have my naval, tongue and ears pierced. I have a tattoo which has a LOT of ink in it. I have sprained my ankle falling down stairs and have been in a car accident which resulted in major neck problems for years. And I can honestly say that waxing my bikini area about an hour ago was THE MOST PAINFUL EXPERIANCE OF MY LIFE.

I used these pre-waxed strip things, you warm them between your hands and then apply, and pull. I followed directions, pulling skin taught and I pulled rapidly and in the opposite direction of hair growth. There are currently blood welts where the force of ripping the hair out proved too much for my skin. I can't believe that women would do this on a regular basis. After the first strip, I honestly considered not evening the whole thing out, because it hurt so much. And it's not like I was attempting to go Brazilian or anything, I only put the strips on the outside of where a bikini bottom would hit. I had always just gotten bathing suits with little shorts on the bottom, so I had just let it be as God made it.

So fess up, She-Dopers. How the hell do you deal with this problem?

[Raini]

I shave!

[Honey]

Nair. After a very painful experience I have invented a device that....how shall I say...covers up the more intimate, sensitive parts, so that no chemical can touch them. (perhaps I should market this?)

After using Nair to completely get rid of all the hair for several years, there is no irritation, no itchiness from the re-growth.

Honey

[delphica]

I wax, but I would never do a bikini myself. Pay someone, that's my advice. It still hurts, but it's over in a minute, and they know what they're doing.

[Bad News Baboon]

Laser.
pricey?
yes.
worth it?
oh my yes!

and waxing in the bikini area is best done by someone else. It is impossible to get a good pull angle when you do it yourself.

you want pain that will make THAT look like a walk in the park?
Try waxing your underarms.
Me, of iron pain endurance, thought it hurt. Even the laser is no fun there.

[The Mermaid]

Since I like to leave a strip up the front, I use Nair on most everything then finish with a razor to even up the edges. I touch it up with an electric razor on occasion.

[Gala Matrix Fire]

I wear boy-leg bathing suits and let my hair grow wild and free.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Fortunately for me, I have almost no surface nerves that feel pain. (Strange but true.)

Waxing is a breeze - legs, pits, crotch. No worries.

However, I did get a nasty chemical burn on my bikini area once - that was decidedly unpleasant.

I have to agree - go to a pro - it'll be quicker and they should know what they're doing.

[jazzmine]

Originally posted by Honey
Nair. After a very painful experience I have invented a device that....how shall I say...covers up the more intimate, sensitive parts, so that no chemical can touch them. (perhaps I should market this?)

After using Nair to completely get rid of all the hair for several years, there is no irritation, no itchiness from the re-growth.

Honey

Oh! Tell me about your invention. I'd really like to know what you are doing to prevent the...uh...Nair Burn.

[Regina]

I shave the sensitive crease-of-leg part with a 3-blade razor, and use a men's moustache trimmer for the rest. I've thought about electrolysis on the bikini area because I went through it (pretty painful but worth it) getting rid of my "moustache," extra eyebrow hairs, and - er - aureolic - hairs, but I think it ends up being more expensive than laser in the long run, because you have to go over and over again.

Also, dark hair and fair skin is supposed to be the best candidate for laser hair removal. You're a poor candidate if you're fair and burn easily. I saw some pics of this poor woman's leg with burn-blisters all over it from the laser.

So for now I just shave. Cheap and easy and if you soak first, you won't get those red bumps. On the bikini area. I'm not vouching for any other area.

[Honey]

Originally posted by jazzmine
Oh! Tell me about your invention. I'd really like to know what you are doing to prevent the...uh...Nair Burn.

Ok, Don't laugh. It's shape and size is exactly like a shoe horn. (Plastic, curved, with a little handle on one end)

TMI Warning:











You....Lift out the outer folds and place it inside, over the inner parts where no hair grows. It protects everything nice and tidy. After you're done Nairing, you remove it and rince it off. No burns.

[The Mermaid]

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: :

I am absolutely speechless. Where did you get this thing or what did you use to make it?

[Astroboy14]

I'm having a hard time picturing this... do you have a photo? (no, not being a perv... just genuinely puzzled!)

[galen ubal]

I can picture it, but...

Actually, not a bad idea. Have you considered marketing it, Honey.

On the third hand, it's hard to imagine a meeting with the Board on this item.

[Chekmate]

I used these pre-waxed strip things, you warm them between your hands and then apply

I am not a lady, but I do shave down there. What are these waxing strips, and where did you get them? I tried Nads, but that didn't work so well. Maybe real wax would be better.

[mkmiller99]

I live in Dallas, TX and listened to a talk show on the radio last night, and there was a call to the two women who host the show (strippers) asking about bikini line hair removal. They suggested using a white underarm deoderant stick while shaving, they swear by it. I haven't tried it, but I will. (BTW, I believe they shave COMPLETELY)

[jazzmine]

Honey, (mind if I call you Honey? After all, we are very close friends now, what with talking about our Outer Folds and our Inner Parts), I think that is an ingenious idea. I'm guessing that you just actually used a plastic shoe horn? Seems like if you cut the plastic yourself to make a 'shoe-horn-like' object it would have sharp edges, which could be a might bit uncomfortable on those Inner Parts.

Originally posted by mkmiller99
...They suggested using a white underarm deoderant stick while shaving, they swear by it. I haven't tried it, but I will. (BTW, I believe they shave COMPLETELY)

Did they say why? Is it to keep the skin soft?

[kiz]

Originally posted by mkmiller99
...They suggested using a white underarm deoderant stick while shaving, they swear by it. I haven't tried it, but I will. (BTW, I believe they shave COMPLETELY)

There's a blurb about this in the latest [b[Jane[/b] magazine, except the stripper in question says that after shaving she uses a clear deodorant stick, and she's never had any problems...

Me? I shave, then put on some aloe vera gel. So far it's worked better than anything else I've tried!

[Batsinma Belfry]

Originally posted by Chekmate

I am not a lady, but I do shave down there. What are these waxing strips, and where did you get them? I tried Nads, but that didn't work so well. Maybe real wax would be better.

You can get them at any drugstore. The kind I've used are made by Sally Hansen (orange & white box). They come in different sizes. Each strip consist of 2 pieces of plastic with the wax in between, you rub them between your hands for a few seconds then peel them apart and apply them to your hairy parts. It's not as messy as applying the wax yourself, but if the hair is too short or long it wont work. You also get a little bottle of oil to remove the extra wax from your skin.

[Essured]

SwimmingRiddles I had the same thing happen to me the first time I waxed. It only happend in the 'corners' where leg meets body along the actual bikini line. Have you shaved there for a while ? It only happened to me twice. The first time I ever waxed, and once when I had to do emergency shaving for a little while (no wax to be found) and then went back to waxing. I think it's a result of how tough the hairs get when you shave, so if you manage to stick with it, do not go back to shaving intending on waxing again. Choose whether you'll be a waxer or a shaver, the fence is too damn painful

I gritted my teeth and kept going, and it doesn't hurt after the third or fourth wax. To cope with the pain however, I did sections each session, i.e divide your pubic area (mentally) into four or five areas, and wax one area each day, until you've done the lot... keep this up until you've done your three or four waxes, and then you should be able to do the whole lot in one session without pain. It does look ragged using this method, but it's only for a short time and the rewards are sweet

[Essured]

Oh and Honey that was a brilliant idea, and a very concise and clear description. Bravo for not 'pussyfooting' around the issue

Seriously think about marketing that idea !

[Tsubaki]

What do I do? Nothing. Just trimming.

I know all the tips about shaving and avoiding red bumps...none of them worked. So I've given up.

There's no-one to impress anyway...Mr is stuck with me regardless!

[Honey]

Originally posted by The Mermaid
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I am absolutely speechless. Where did you get this thing or what did you use to make it?

It actually was a plastic shoe horn in it's former life. It was just a wee bit too wide for me so Mr. Honey trimmed the sides, sanded it and then dipped the rough sides in this liquid rubber stuff (sorry I don't know the exact name), when it dried the sides were nice and smooth.

Originally posted by galen ubal
Actually, not a bad idea. Have you considered marketing it, Honey.

On the third hand, it's hard to imagine a meeting with the Board on this item.

I can't imagine anything that is less marketable. What would you possibly call it?



Honey

[mrblue92]

Puss n' Boots?

*runs*

[SwimmingRiddles]

Originally posted by Goo
SwimmingRiddles I had the same thing happen to me the first time I waxed. It only happend in the 'corners' where leg meets body along the actual bikini line. Have you shaved there for a while ? It only happened to me twice. The first time I ever waxed, and once when I had to do emergency shaving for a little while (no wax to be found) and then went back to waxing. I think it's a result of how tough the hairs get when you shave, so if you manage to stick with it, do not go back to shaving intending on waxing again. Choose whether you'll be a waxer or a shaver, the fence is too damn painful

You mean you got the blood blistery things? Because I honestly think I can deal with the pain, but it doesn't make much sense to me to wax, just to leave these welts that are just as unattractive as the hair. It's not the whole waxed area, but still. As for what I used to do, and this was only when I really needed to, I would either use a nair-like product or shave. But the nair stuff irritated my skin and the sensitive skin nair didn't work. Bah.

[herownself]

Definitely try a professional. I've had my eyebrows done occasionally for years, and it really does hurt. So the first time I went for pits and nads, I was terrified. I made my husband drive me there and then come back, because I brought vicodin with me and I wouldn't be able to drive myself home if I took the narcotics.

I am really whiney about pain, really truly whiney, no pain threshold at all. The woman who 'did me' was great, and it hurt way less than eyebrows. I'll do it again without hesitation the next time we plan a beach vacation.

[Hello Again]

Pay a professional! Its over much much more quickly and effectively. They use a totally melted wax which grabs much more of the hair at once (hence no going over and over and over the same area). I can't stand shaving what with the itching and the irritation.

BTW, I agree that eyebrows hurt more than the bikini area, and I have an *extraordinarily* low tolerance for pain.

[Sue Duhnym]

I use one of these , which is sorta like waxing but not nearly as messy or painful.

Sure, it hurts if you do everything at once or slack off for awhile (because of the amount of hair being yanked) but I use it once a week and it doesn't hurt at all.

[OpalCat]

What is this laser thing that people keep mentioning? Anyone?

[Chekmate]

Originally posted by Sue Duhnym
I use one of these , which is sorta like waxing but not nearly as messy or painful.

Can you explain how this thing works a little more in detail? The add doesn't say much, but maybe it's something that I could give a shot.

[Sue Duhnym]

Originally posted by Chekmate

Can you explain how this thing works a little more in detail? The add doesn't say much, but maybe it's something that I could give a shot.

Calling it "the spinning wheel o'tweezers" (SWOT) would have been a much better description than "epilator". It's a spinning wheel of tweezers that rip the hairs out by the roots.

It's best for small areas and regular use. If I don't use it for a while, I go get waxed by a professional (because having it all ripped out in one fell swoop is better than using this thing for an hour) and just use SWOT from then on.

You know how waxers always miss hairs and some hairs break or are dormant so you always have some weird growth going on? I find the SWOT perfect for being well-groomed more often. Sure, now it's a once-a-week thing, but at least you don't have month long funky hairs around your ankles. Touch-ups are as simple as plugging it in.

YMMV, of course.

PS Opal, the laser is something you need to go to a doctor for. Laser hair removal. Price varies and not currently great for people with dark skin. More info
here .

[The Mermaid]

Originally posted by Honey
I can't imagine anything that is less marketable. What would you possibly call it?

How about the Pink Pocket Protector? or possibly

Hot Pocket Protector--that way your can get the cross over buyers tired of burning their fingers on Hot Pockets.

[galen ubal]

Originally posted by The Mermaid


How about the Pink Pocket Protector? or possibly

Hot Pocket Protector--that way your can get the cross over buyers tired of burning their fingers on Hot Pockets.

Coochie Cover™

[butter pie]

Originally posted by Sue Duhnym
Touch-ups are as simple as plugging it in.

YMMV, of course.

Do you have to let the hairs get a certain length to use this thing, like waxing, or will it work at any time?

I think I want one of these. <hates body hair>

[Sue Duhnym]

Originally posted by jinwicked
Do you have to let the hairs get a certain length to use this thing, like waxing, or will it work at any time?

I think it works better if the hairs are shorter. I shaved my pits two days ago and used it today and it worked just fine. Of course, I'll probably have to do touch ups for the next couple days just to make sure I got everything.

It'll basically take out anything that normal tweezers will.

[butter pie]

Neat-o...! <puts on Giftmas list>

[Tiburon]

The topic of Laser Hair Removal was just brought up in one of our most recent office meetings. I work as an attorney in Nuclear Safety.

Lasers are regulated by our department in my state. However, who *uses* those lasers is not. This means that it may not be a doctor who grabs that laser and starts to use it to remove your hair. States have different regulations regarding this but it is quite a hot topic right now. Some people experience terrible burns from this treatment and others have no problems at all. The key is find out who is doing the treatment and what their education and experience is. It is rather scary that someone with no medical education could pick up a laser to remove hair and give the patient 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Make sure that isn't you.

Tibs.

[Jimmy_The_Veal]

Originally posted by Honey
I can't imagine anything that is less marketable. What would you possibly call it?

I am sure it has a market.

a niche market?

[moggy]

I have a 'bikini area' that extends well past my bikini- in fact, on my one leg, the hair extends a couple inches down my thigh. I opt for long shorts, and I bought a one-piece bathing suit with attached shorts. I have always used a depilatory cream- I tried waxing my bikini area once and it was a fiasco, and I've had my pits done professionally. I don't think I want to inflict the pain of waxing on my crotch, even if it's done by a professional!
I have sensitive skin, I swore never to shave my bikini area again after breaking out in a painful rash of blood-blister type bumps (and ingrown crotch hair is terrible!). The depilatory cream works okay, but my hair grows fast, and I don't think you're supposed to 'depilatorize' every day. I can't even shave my pits/legs every day, even if they need it, because my skin is so sensitive that I break out in a painful rash if I don't let my hair grow out for a couple days! (So during the 'between shaves' time I wear ankle length skirts or pants)
Any one else use depliatory? What brand works best for you?

[Zebra]

Well if anybody needs someone to kiss it and make it better...



ummmm the bikini area not the arm-pit area.

[Feynn]

Sugaring. Similar to waxing, but the sugar seems to be less harmful to the skin.

Or rather, I did use the above method until I finally got myself some old lady bathing suits with the little skirt. Trust me, I'm saving many people a lot of pain by wearing more clothing.

Shoot. I just realized I'm logged in as my SO. Um, I can assure you that Feynn never worries about his bikini line. :-)

lolagranola

[Regina]

Tiburon said: "However, who *uses* those lasers is not. This means that it may not be a doctor who grabs that laser and starts to use it to remove your hair."

In AL: Has to be a licensed physician or someone under the direct supervision of the physician.

Check with your state medical board to see if it's regulated in your state.

[UrbanChic]

I just shave and do a little, uh, light landscaping in that area.

[Tiburon]

AlaItalia,

I'm relieved to know that AL has something to regulate this. Our Department of Professional Regulation has not commented. It is definitely good advice that all potential patients check with their state to see what current guidance/regulations exist. I saw some pretty horrible pictures of burns - I'd hate for it to happen to anyone.

Tibs.

[Dagny]

I am sure it has a market.

If this site can get a write up in Allure, Honey's invention can make it.

[Ruffian]

I wax. Actually, I have the area waxed. For a while, there, I waxed myself; being a bit hirusite (at least for a chic), I have a larger than average bikini area (I hear your pain moggy). So...more gets waxed than just a bit around where underwear hits. This also means it was an acrobatic feat for me to wax, and the stress and psyching-out of it all nearly always had me break down at some point, sobbing "I'm a freak!" This is when hubby DeathLlama insisted I go back to the salon--saving money or not, this was my sanity.

I don't like depilitories because they, like shaving, cause itchy stubble.

Now, you want to talk about pain...my beautician gave me (well, more like my hubby) a present just before the wedding: a Playboy wax (also known on the East coast as a Sphinx--as in, the breed of hairless cat). Playboy is, as you've likely seen in magazines, removal of everything save a little "landing strip" in the front. Lips--everything else gets hot wax and RIIIIIIIIIPP!

Seriously, awful, awful, AWFUL pain. It was reminiscent of when I was a kid and tried walking a narrow ledge and fell, crotch first, and cut myself. ::::::shudder:::::::

Meanwhile, laser...I've been looking into this but research is iffy at best. I haven't found anything save for a few sites advertising products that confirms actual, permanent hair reduction--even though some advertise as such.This web site has a great deal of valuable information, including several clinical studies where permanent hair reduction was not typical.

As a fair-skinned, dark-haired individual, I am an "ideal" candidate for laser. Even so, I have to pause when considering shelling out $1,000 for something that may not work. Still, beats the hell out of waxing!

[nashiitashii]

Well, yesterday I took the plunge and went to go get my first bikini wax ever... and, for some strange reason, I decided it all had to be GONE. The nearest place to my house happened to be a Brazillian salon: go figure; most of the people in there barely speak English. So, I'm laying on the table and having all my pubic hair removed by a woman who doesn't speak much English, and the language barrier problem and the fact that my phone kept ringing made the whole situation kind of hillarious. Ok, let's get to the point: it only hurt in the places closest to the vaginal opening, and it was sort of worth it... I just am glad I got it done when I did and not any later... stupid after-wax irritation lasts a day or two. Thank god for advil.

[Cartooniverse]

Originally posted by Honey
What would you possibly call it?

"Loose Lips Sink Clits" ????????



Cartooniverse, who just realized he's been booked on the non-stop flight to hell.

[Slainte]

If you decide to shave, use a liquid antibacterial soap (unscented) instead of shaving cream. After you are done shaving, apply rubbing alcohol to the area (Note: I don't apply alcohol near the vagina itself, just the top & side region). It works best for me if I apply the alcohol 2 or 3 times the day of shaving. These tips were from a gynecologist & have served me well. Hair grows quicker if it is shaved as opposed to waxed but I can't endure waxing that area - I won't even try... having my legs waxed once was enough to cure me of Brazilian Wax ideas. YMMV.