Bikini Season Shaving Tips

Hair removal is always a personal choice. If you want to keep things au natural down there, by all means keep rocking the full bush! If you prefer keeping your bikini line smooth and fuzz-free, it’s a good idea to get familiar with good shaving habits to ensure you steer clear of ingrowns and razor bumps for bikini season.

There’s much more to shaving than simply gliding a razor over your fuzzy parts. Preparation and aftercare play a key role in the end result of your shave. Unfortunately, busy babes tend to skip these parts which is why shaving nasties like razor bumps pop up.

If you want to step into bikini season smooth, glowing, and ingrown-free, follow these bikini area shaving tips below.

Choose the Right Razor

A razor is an investment. Instead of switching from one disposable razor to another, invest in a high-quality razor that ticks all the boxes for a seamless shave.

According to dermatologists, it’s best to use a razor with more blades and built-in lubricating strips for an easier razor glide, added moisture, and ultra-smooth skin.

“If there are more blades, it dispenses more pressure, allowing each blade to cut with less force but more effect,” says dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, of Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.

Once you’ve found your perfect razor, make sure you replace the blades after a few uses to prevent razor blades from becoming dull, which puts you at risk of razor burn.

Trim First

If you’ve got a lot of body hair, it might be easier to trim the area first before diving straight in with your razor. Using a bikini trimmer, remove any long hairs that may clog up your razor. Doing this will result in a smoother, easier, less irritating shave.

Soak and Cleanse

Before shaving your pubes, spend about 5-10 minutes in warm water to soften the outer layer of skin. This makes it easier to remove hair without painful shaving aftermath. You can also cleanse the area to remove any dirt or product using a gentle body wash.

Exfoliate

The most commonly missed step of all...exfoliation. The best way to shave your bikini line involves exfoliating at the very beginning of your shaving routine to prevent razor bumps from forming. Even though shaving is a form of exfoliation, dead skin cells can build up on your razor blades, which dulls them quickly and increases the chances of red bumps and nicks.

You can choose from a body scrub, washcloth, or chemical exfoliant. All three gently sweep away dead skin and dirt to extend the life of your blades and secure an easy razor glide.

One of our favorites is Rainbow’s Glow Serum. It’s made with glycolic acid and bakuchiol which help remove oils, debris, and dead skin cells for a super smooth shave.

Always Use Shaving Cream

One thing to remember: when you shave, you’re shaving skin too. Without shaving gel, cream, or butter, you’ll end up abrading your skin, leaving it red and irritated. That’s why dry shaving is a huge no-no!

Opt for a moisturizing shaving cream formulated with hydrating, soothing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, which provide perfect slip for your razor. Since pubic hair is particularly coarse, it should also help soften hairs making the shaving process a lot easier.

Apply a very thin layer to your bikini area so you can still see skin underneath. Now you’ve got a perfect base for your razor to skate over!

Shave in One Direction — And One Direction Only

Shaving against the direction of hair growth provides a closer shave. However, it also leaves you prone to razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

“Ideally, to avoid tugging on the hair, the razor should follow the direction of hair growth while trying to minimize the number of strokes,” says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D.

Another major cause of razor burn and ingrowns is pressing too hard with the razor. Ideally, it should glide over the hairs without you needing to press too hard. And finally, always make sure you shave in one direction. Shaving in multiple directions is a recipe for painful ingrowns, burns, and nicks. Ouch!

Apply a Calming Serum to Soothe Skin Irritation

Even those using the best shaving products and techniques can still experience irritation. To ease any active inflammation or prevent it in the first place, apply a cold compress to the area for 10 minutes straight after shaving. Then apply a cooling serum to your pubic area to further reduce your chances of getting razor bumps and ingrowns.

The derms recommend choosing a formula with tea tree oil, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that can help calm post-shave irritation. You only need a tiny amount!

Sensitive skin types should always include this step in their shaving routine to minimize the risk of irritation.

Finish with a Soothing Moisturizer

Moisturizer is just as important in a shaving routine as it is in your daily skincare routine. To complete your routine, apply a fragrance-free, alcohol-free body lotion or moisturizing serum to help soothe skin and hair follicles. Look for products containing hydrating and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E, and jojoba oil.

One of our favorites is Rainbow’s Hydrate Serum. It’s formulated with a blend of hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, aloe, and witch hazel to deeply moisturize and soothe your skin. It also helps seal in hydration for long-lasting smoothness.

There are many different hair removal methods to choose from when it comes to tidying up your bikini area. As much as we appreciate the benefits of waxing and laser hair removal, shaving is by far one of the easiest, most painless, and convenient methods available.

Whether you’re shaving your legs, underarms, or bikini line, always follow these shaving tips above to achieve a silky smooth shave without ingrowns or razor burn every single time.

Off to the beach? Remember to slather on some sunscreen first to areas that’ll be exposed to the sun!