I ask this because it is now well and truly swimming season in SoCal, and I had to shave Down There for the first time in months yesterday. And, predictably enough, ended up with razor burn. Even though I used a new blade, plenty of shaving cream, went slowly, and wore my contacts so I could see what I was doing! Some aloe vera & lidocaine after-sun gel cooled the burning enough to make wearing my swimsuit tolerable, but still. What am I doing wrong? Does waxing work, and if so how painful is it? How about Nair-type creams? In the past I just went hairy, because I was fat, my thighs tended to conceal most of it, and I really didn’t give a damn. Now I’ve lost a lot of weight and actually care about how I look in the pool and at the beach. Any ideas and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Oh Gawd, waxing hurts like a mo’fo. I did it once, am never going it again. Tears welled in my eyes and blood welled on my thighs. Ick.
Razor’s just don’t seem to get it, so I went and bought this cute little bikini set that has little shorts on the bottom half to cover any hair. Haven’t tried that stuff advertized on TV that claims to remove hair just by smearing it on – anyone know if it works?
.:Nichol:.
The only way to get a perfectly smooth shave is a straight blade and have someone that KNOWS how to use it without slicing you up. I don’t use any of the stuff advertised on TV on the infomercials. Nair is good for a start, then finish with a straight blade. Just make sure you get all the Nair removed or it can seriously burn your sensitive skin.
Bleach it instead. Pale blonde hairs aren’t gonna gross anyone out and you won’t get razor burn or stubble or inflict little slicings upon yourself.
I trim the hairs with little scissors and wear a cute boy-leg tankini.
I use ‘Nair for Bikini Area’. Not as strong as the regular type, but does a nice job.
Two words: duct tape
Sally hansen makes this cream depilatory for the bikini line and it doesn’t smell bad. Supposed to smell like rasberries. You just paint it on with a little brush , no stinging at all, and after about 5-10 minutes wash it off in the shower. It’s the best.
Quantum Weather Butterfly, first: CONGRATS on losing the weight!! Let me know how you did it. I agree with hillbilly queen on the Nair, the Bikini Area stuff is not nearly as harsh as the regular. As I seem to recall you saying you have sensitive skin, this would definitely be better.
If you can’t use the Nair, try trimming the hair first next time, then soak in a tub for a bit before shaving. Opens the pores up, dear. Use lotion after, followed by an ice pack wrapped in a towel. ::Sigh:: what we go through, I tell ya.
[slight hijack] Maureen, two words: Weight Watchers! I hate to sound like a commercial, but hey- it’s working for me. (Wait a minute… the OP was mine, so is it hijacking if I post on a different subject?) [/hijack]
I think next time I’ll definitely try the bikini-area Nair or Sally Hansen. If that doesn’t work, I’ll bleach it as per Hunter’s advice. My thighs are white anyway 
I have the kind of dark hair that no cream will ever take off, and waxing is just too expensive, messy and time consuming (and painful).
On the upside, I never get any razor burn or ingrown hairs, and I shave every other day.
Venus razor, king of shaves oil, in the shower. No bother.
Tweezers take care of anything which is too awkward to shave.
I’m with irishgirl on this. Venus razors work great.
May I humbly suggest soaking the offending area in hot water first? There’s a reason many men shave immediately after getting out of the shower.
Ladies ladies! I can’t believe none of you wax! It is the best.
It will hurt, specially the first time, but the results are so worth it. Next time you’ll go, it won’t hurt nearly as bad.
GO FOR WAXING!
I did sugaring the last 2 times.
The first time went fine… minor pain, but not as horrid as previous attempts. And pouring tend skin on every morning and every night and taking care of every hair every day meant no ingrowns (mine are weird, the problem is they break the skin twice).
the second time, it took out skin as well as hair. Tiny little scars in a very inconvenient place.
I rely on my handy Schick razor, but I still get little red bumps. Then they (the hairs) grow back in a few days, and if you try to shave again the bumps bleed. I’m very eager to try sugaring, it’s stuff you make yourself, right? How does it work? Anyone have a recipe I can use? Maybe it will work for me without pulling hairs out.
Merla
Er, that was supposed to be without pulling skin off, not hairs out. That would defeat the point.
Merla
Waxing. Hurts like a bastard, yes, but it’s over very quickly - a few seconds of pain is SO worth being hair-free for months on end. I did it two weeks ago and nary a bit of re-growth yet.
Tweezers?! Irishgirl you don’t find pain in plucking yourself?! Yowza! I hurt just thinking about it. I still prefer a straight blade, but I’d also like to hear about “sugaring”. I’ve never heard of it (I live under a cozy little rock). Can anybody share?
Some friends of mine swear by Magic Shaving Powder.