How to Shave Your Bikini Line & Avoid Razor Bumps

Select a sharp razor.

Use a high-quality razor to remove coarse pubic hair. Opt for a razor with new, sharp blades to prevent chafing, bumps, and ingrown hairs. Generally, men’s razors are recommended for shaving coarse hair since they’re sturdier and ideal for sensitive skin. However, you can purchase bikini-line-specific women’s razors, too. Depending on how frequently you shave, a razor blade can last 5 to 10 shaves before needing to be replaced. Contrary to popular belief, single-blade razors can be used—as long as it’s the stainless steel safety razors. They’re more durable and sharp and can remove hair with only one pass and less trauma to the skin surface.

Trim overgrown hair.

Trim the hair to ⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) before shaving. To prevent overgrown hair from getting tangled in the razor, prep your hair with hair scissors or an electric trimmer for a closer shave. Gently pull the hair up and away from your body with one hand and use the other to trim it carefully. Trim in a well-lit area to avoid poking or cutting yourself. If you’re unsure how much hair to remove, put your bikini bottoms on to see where the hair would be exposed. This will help determine where you should shave, too. A bikini-line trim includes the upper thighs, groin, and below the belly button. Companies now make bikini-line electric trimmers that are waterproof or water-resistant.

Hydrate your skin.

Rinse in hot water for 5 minutes to soften the hair. To make shaving easier, soften your skin and hair by taking a nice hot shower or bath. Shaving should be the last step of your shower process to give your skin enough time to soften. If you’re not shaving in the shower, moisten the area with a hot washcloth for 5 minutes. Skipping this step could result in a razor burn or further discomfort.

Exfoliate the area.

Use a loofa or a gentle exfoliating body scrub around your bikini line. Exfoliating helps prevent the occurrence of ingrown hairs after shaving. Gently scrub the area you’ll be shaving in small circles. You can use an exfoliating glove, a loofa, or exfoliating body scrub that’s safe to use down there.

Lather on shaving cream.

Apply a thick layer of shaving cream to your skin. To use shaving cream, squirt an almond-sized amount into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together to create a foam consistency and apply to your skin evenly. Opt for fragrance-free shaving creams, gels or body soap to avoid irritating your skin. Shaving cream helps minimize the chances of razor burn and irritation. As you shave, apply more cream or body wash to make the process go more smoothly.

Shave with the grain.

Apply light, even strokes as you shave with the grain. Shaving in the same direction of hair growth results in less skin irritation. Use one hand to hold the skin taut and the other to shave the hair away. You may want to rinse the hair away with water to see how much progress you’ve made. Reapply shaving cream to keep shaving. If going with the grain is difficult, try going at it sideways. Shaving against the grain should be a last resort. Avoid over-shaving a hair-free area to limit skin irritation. If you want to remove more public hair, use the same method of pulling the skin taut. Work slowly to avoid cutting yourself. For completely bare skin, consider giving yourself a brazilian wax with hard or sugar wax.

Inspect your results.

Slip on your bikini bottoms to see if you missed a spot. Once you feel satisfied with your shave, wear your bikini bottoms and check yourself in the mirror. If you notice any missing spots, return to the shower and re-apply shaving cream to continue shaving.

Treat your skin afterward.

Exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs and irritation. Use a washcloth or a gentle body scrub to remove any dead skin that is now exposed. You can also apply witch hazel or baby oil to reduce razor burn. Dab a small amount to a cotton ball or clean washcloth. It may burn if you have any cuts, so be careful! Pay the area dry with a clean towel or blow-dry on a medium or low setting to reduce follicle irritation.

Moisturize to avoid itching.

Keep your bikini line moisturized for a few days after shaving. Your skin may feel uncomfortable and irritated if it gets dry or flaky. Apply a sensitive-skin moisturizer over the area you shaved. You can use aloe vera gel, coconut, argan, or jojoba oil to keep your skin smooth. Avoid wearing tight clothing afterward, too, so the area feels less sensitive.