Oh Geez, Waxing??

Dear V.,

Thanks for my morning LOL! I had to smile and reply, as you see, I am in a similar boat. Went to a hippie friendly college with many feminists and stopped shaving anywhere. Married my European husband who loved me for hairy me. Off & on I would get a whim and try shaving and have a horrible reaction (bumps, irritation, missed spots) and I could not stomach the chemical hair removers- the smells and thoughts did me in.

I haven't done anything for a whole year & I just went to a salon and had my armpits, whole leg, and bikini area waxed. Some suggestions from me are: if you can afford it-get professionally waxed (it helps having additional hands and for the awkward parts like back of the legs), if waxing at home use a bunch of powder first, then apply the wax, then the fabric; hold your skin taught and pull in the opposite direction of the hair growth; if shaving- the salon waxer recommended shaving with hair conditioner, she said she did this when she didn't want/ feel like waxing and the conditioner reduced razor burn.

I don't know if I will do anything again this summer. It is a luxurious feeling but the maintenance aspect I find overwhelming.

Good luck on whatever decision and product you pursue.

From one occasionally hairy mom to another,
ann m.

1 mom found this helpful

I get my bikini area waxed every 4 to 5 weeks. The more you do it the less it hurts. I found when I shaved this area I always got the red bumps and would always miss an area. The wax takes less than 15-mins. I have not tried any of the at-home waxing products, I go to a salon to have it done. Not sure I trust myself with hot-wax in that area...ha! Good luck.

Hi V.~

Never waxed - couldn't imagine it, actually. I agree with Denise - the eyebrows are plenty for me!

I shave about a half inch into where my undies or bikini bottoms would lay, down onto my thighs, naturally. And I also agree with Denise on the shaving the backs of the thighs and knees - in the winter I sure don't bother, but during swimsuit season, you can't really get around it without looking kind of unkempt. lol And yes, over the toilet does save a lot of mess, that's what I do too.

I also keep the rest of the area trimmed short, but I use a set of battery powered clippers (like for trimming men's beards, etc.) and they work extremely well and are simple to use.

You might also want to try a product called Bikini Zone. It does seem to reduce razor bumps and razor burn. It can be bought at Wal-Mart and I am sure most drug stores, by the shaving products.

Lastly, I usually shave in the direction the hair grows, because if you shave against the growth, you are asking for hellatious razor burn, especially until you get a handle on how sensitive your skin is in that area. Perhaps after you have a few trims under your belt, you might try for a little closer shave if you find that your skin is not particularly sensitive.

Well, hope some of this helps... good luck, and have fun!

I just wanted to add - WHAT A FUN QUESTION! WAY TO GO FOR ASKING IT!

Yep! Definitely time to tame that winter bush! LOL

I've never had a bikini wax--the pain from having my eyebrows done is quite enough, thank you!

A have a close relative with a waxing/skin care biz in San Fransisco and here is her website for an animated demonstration of "what gets waxed":

http://www.cynthiapercy.com/

Personally I use a razor to shave the "overgrowth" on the sides, and a comb & scissors to trim to keep it short and neat. Just use a comb to lift the hair away from your body and trim above the comb with scissors. Doing it over the toilet makes for less mess.

p.s. Don;t forget to shave the BACKS of your thighs as well (like behind the knees....those can look pretty knarly if un-shaved!

Go to a trained professional. Ask around to people you know who have done waxing. You want to make sure you get a good tech or else you will never want to do it again. Generally speaking I would go to a skin spa for this noot just your local hairdresser.

Also just a tip. When you schedule the appointment ask about how long it needs to be. You can run into a problem (i.e. pain, bruising and bleeding) with hair removal if it is too long.

If done properly it won't be painless but it will be a pleasant experience.

and if all else fails just shave.

I'm proud of you for feeling confident enough to ask this question. I figure everyone's bikini area is their business, but if you want to "trim" that area I would suggest a beard trimmer for men. Just the basic cheap version. My husband asked me several years back if I would consider shaving. He just wanted to see what I would look like with it shaved, he also said ahead of time that if I didn't like it he would be fine either way. Let me tell you...personally, I wouldn't go back! As far as the waxing goes I wouldn't know...I have had to pluck a few infected hairs in the area throughout the years and I want nothing to do with anything that pulls the hairs out! My husband uses a beard trimmer (for his face) and then we bought him an expensive new one, so he gave me the old one for my personal use and it works very easily. I use it between once a week and twice a week. It only takes a few minutes and you are done. I hope this helps! Good luck in whatever you choose to do...also, remember it is your personal area, do what feels most comfortable for yourself.

If you've made it this far without worrying about it, you aren't probably that hairy. I'd start out easy, with an electric razor if you have it, or a regular razor and lots of shaving cream. If you don't have very sensitive skin, you'll be fine. If you get bumps (little red ingrowns), there are a few things to try:
1. apply witchhazel on a cotton ball to soothe the area and act as an antiseptic.
2. Try Nair (for sensitive skin - and apply wearing old underwear to keep it where you need it!).
3. Waxing.

I got into bikini waxing after college as I couldn't handle the bumps and started swimming regularly for exercise. It's my favorite method as I think about it once a month and then forget about it. If I could afford to do more areas, I would:)

Good luck!

all depends on how bad it is and what kind of suit you use.

if wearing bathing suits often, then maybe wax best, last lots longer.

I just razor when I wear bathing suit.

Women do different things some take it all off , some do brazillian wax, about half off, some trim shorter, some just leave. I never really thought much until I was seperated and now divorced that this is an issue for men and what they prefer as well. Personal choice of what you like and comfortable with.

don't do it the few days prior to your period, skin tends to be much more sensitive then and risk or pain increases.

Waxing is a little painful but well worth it...if you have the extra money. It does not leave me with any bumps or itchy areas like shaving. It lasts a lot longer than shaving also. What hurts the most is not the sides, it is if you choose to have the top of the hair lowered. (yikes!) I have saved some gift certificates and am debating an appointment. You are going to be so excited when you do something with that area. (your husband too!!)

Hi,

With warm weather here, I'll begin to groom myself a bit more in the bikini area. I use a razor and go in one direction (down). Don't over-shave (if using a razor) as that will give you razor burn for sure. To try to avoid that, I also follow with hair conditioner on my skin and pat dry! Keep it well moisturized no matter how you do it. I've never tried waxing and don't want to (ouch!). The biggest challenge (for me anyway) is combating razor burn. So good luck!

i actually use Nair "down there". :-)
it says not to... you just have to be careful... i get the kind for sensitive areas, and it works great!
you can use mens hair groomer to shorten the hair too. good luck!

Little known modelling tip: Put stick deoderant on that area after you shave to cut down on razor burn.

Me personally? My first EVER wax experience I went for a "brazilian" (bare). Ouch, but amazing. I was nice and smooth for 2 months, so it was worth it.

I did the "V Monoluges" and there is a great monologue about just this issue (it talks about a woman regretting getting rid of the "fluff" for her husband). I highly recommend it (even if I went the other way).

V.,
In addition to the plethora of good advice already provided, use Aveeno Positively Smooth shave minimizing lotion. It's great, makes hair grow back softer, lighter, slower; really works whether you shave or wax (I waxed ONCE; that was enough pain (LOL) and now I do the quick PLC (pits, crotch, legs) zip with the razor in the shower). You can use it on legs, upper lip, armpits, bikini area. Best of luck!
L.

I have never had that area waxed. I have often thought about it but do not think that I would be able to afford it. The pain is also a scray thought, but would probably be worth it.
I do however trim and sometimes shave. I would recommend at least starting with a trimmer. They sell womens ones in stores and they are smaller than mens. They have different attachments so you can chose how short to go. I do it over the toliet. Shaving will cause some irritation. If you chose to do that, try Bikini Zone. That does seem to help.
If you would like to try a more "bare" feeling after trimming, I would suggest the Seiko Cleancut Shaver. You have to trim short first. Then use this (with lots of baby powder applied first). It gets a super close "shave". There is NO pain and less irritation than typical shaving. The only downside is that it doesn't last near as long as a wax would.
I just bought a product for my legs called the Braun epilator. I am still working myself into it but the pain isn't so bad it you start slow. This is very similar to waxing, the results last longer than shaving. Epilators really did come a long way over the years.

I can't imagine waxing there. For me that wouldn't work. I use the razor. When I started, I actually used an electric razor - which is much more comfortable, but not as smooth. You may want to start that way though.

Since you've never done anything like this before, I would suggest you find a nice salon in your area & get professionally waxed. If you go to someone who knows what they're doing, you will have a relatively pain-free, non-traumatic experience. Good Luck!

V.,
beware ;you have virgin skin .
you will experiance great pain , poss. a rash , if you ' jump into wax' ...* remember : your skin has always been protected by 'hair' if you remove it all at once ... VERY SENSITIVE . very ....40 years of sensitive .[ I am talking un able to wear clothing pain ] this is not like a 17 year old waxing for the 1st time ... this is 40 years [ subtract pre puberty]
= get a 5'' scissor A walmart etc. [ make sure it cuts]
= get a comb ... hold long hair in hand and pull& cut off hair [ be careful]
= now ; really wet ,and /or hair condition all areas to now be shaved [ baby oil works too] ..get an entire bag of razors ..***** through out as they become dull/full.[ 1st time is a real job]a can of shave lotion .[any brand]
= do your bikini area [ any way you can @ this time ] 101 shave [ designs will be next year ! ] use lots of shave creame[ stand w/ glasses on]
= do arm pits wet, oil, shave lotion, razor
= do legs [ entire] wet, oil, shave lotion, lots of razors ...sit on side of tub w/ glasses on .
it may take a few sessions [ you can do this all by yourself] to get done correctly .
do this routine weekly in the shower ... 1-2-3-
you look h-o-t- !!!!!
good for you .
next will be hair color 101 and make up !
be careful w/ sharp objects ... yes; you can nick . better to do too less than shave off tooooo much in the 1st stage .
apply baby lotion to calm skin.
t[ the hairdresser ]