How to Razor Burn in Your Bikini Area, According to Derms

woman lying on the sand in bikini


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Shaving rash, also known as razor burn, is quite common in the pubic area—probably more common than other areas, unfortunately. The hair is generally thicker and when it bends it may affect those with more sensitive skin or who shave often. Shaving is uncomfortable enough as is, no one wants to get rid of the hair only to trade it in for other problems. Still, are you stuck with a bikini rash every time you shave? No way. Regardless, you should know how to prevent the rashes from happening.

With that in mind, we spoke to three experts to learn how to prevent and treat razor burn on the bikini line.

Meet the Expert

  • Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
  • Aimee Paik, MD, is senior vice president of dermatology for Hims and Hers.
  • Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, FAAD, is a dermatologist based at the University of Minnesota.

Soften Hair Before Shaving

"You can help prevent razor burn by adjusting your routine before you shave," says Dr. Jeanette Graf. And the best way to do that is to allow the steam soften hair and relax skin for about five minutes, instead of jumping in and shaving immediately. It'll be more pliable that way. The softer hair is, the less it's likely to be pulled, especially on supple skin. 

Use firm, but not aggressive pressure using warm, not hot, water. Go over an area once, maybe twice with the razor. If you hold your skin taut, it will provide a closer shave, but might cause irritation. If you have very sensitive skin, only shave with the direction in which hair grows. When finished, rinse skin with cool water.

Avoid a Super-Close Shave

If you shave too close to the skin, you could deal with ingrown hairs later. "Ingrown hairs are a common problem after shaving. It’s important to avoid too close of a shave so that hair is not cut below the level of the skin, since this increases the risk of ingrown hairs. I recommend not stretching back the skin tightly while shaving, shaving in the direction of hair growth, and using a blade that has a limited number of blades – two, for example, would be good," says Aimee Paik, MD, SVP of Dermatology for Hims and Hers. "It’s also helpful to use warm water and some sort of soap or shaving cream. Make sure you change your razor or blades frequently because they can harbor bacteria that can cause infections. Light fragrance free lotion can help repair the skin barrier after shaving and drying off."

Keep Skin Moisturized

"Keep skin well moisturized and gently exfoliated the day before shaving," says Graf. "Most important is to never dry shave skin. This will cause potential issues of irritation, and ingrowns since the hair is coarse and stiff." She recommends using a moisturizing shaving cream and even applying a crème rinse or conditioner, as well.

Stay Away From Artificial Ingredients

We often blame razor rash on the razor. Sometimes it's not the razor, but the products you're using to shave, such as your shave gel or cream, that cause an actual rash. Some potential offenders are artificial fragrances (like perfumes) and certain preservatives and colorants. Those made for sensitive skin usually leave out the most popular problematic ingredients that people are allergic to or cause irritation.

Stay clear of products with alcohol in them, as it might strip the skin. If it is in the ingredients list, especially at the beginning, dump it. Instead choose products containing hydrating, soothing and healing ingredients like glycerin, goat's milk, shea butter, vitamin E and natural oils. After shaving, use an aftershave or light lotion, one which doesn't contain alcohol, perfumes, dyes or artificial fragrances. We recommend fur's Stubble Cream ($42). Sheilagh Maguiness also recommends using "an antimicrobial cleanser while shaving this location would effectively help to wash away bacteria, preventing bumps and folliculitis. The Everywhere Wash ($12) by Stryke Club, which contains sodium hypochlorite, is a great choice for shaving anywhere on the body, it is gentle, but still antimicrobial."

Use a High-Quality Razor

You should also know that electric razors made for the face and cheap disposables are just that... cheap. Keep in mind, just because something works well on other parts of your body doesn't mean it will do well in your bikini zone. Definitely use a high-quality pivoting razor, preferably with moisture strips. It doesn't have to be expensive—the ones from Billie come well-reviewed and the Razor Starter Kit includes the razor base, a holder, and two blades for just $9. If your skin is very sensitive, try using a single blade razor, rather than one with multiple blades.

You also shouldn't use a razor to trim long hair, because it not only uses valuable cutting power but dulls the blade. A dull razor will almost always leave some major burn and it irritates the skin by pulling on hair because it's not sharp. Cut the length down first with clippers using a guard.

Take Care of Your Skin Post-Shave

Finally: Stay away from hot tubs, saunas and tanning beds the day of shaving. Don't plan on wearing exceptionally tight clothing, either. And try to stay away from sex for at least a couple of hours.

Byrdie Tip

Rinse your blade thoroughly between strokes to remove build-up, which can cause unnecessary friction that leads to razor rash.

When to See a Professional

"If you’re someone who is prone to getting ingrown hairs, rashes, or bumps after shaving – you can inquire with a healthcare professional about clindamycin, which is a prescription topical lotion that can help," says Paik.

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