Hayley,
I don't know what to do with my bikini line. I am very, very active. I bike to work five days a week (30 min each way), ride my horse 3-4 times a week, and do water aerobics 1-2 times. My skin is really sensitive and when I shave (carefully with good razors and shaving cream) it looks good for about a four days and then starts to get irritated as the hair grows back in. Once it starts to get red and irritated, I feel like I can't shave again. I got waxed a couple times by someone who waxes a lot of athletes, but my skin always got irritated. Any suggestions for an athletic woman who wants a nice bikini line?
A nice bikini line for an active woman, is that even possible? I struggle with this issue as well because not only am I very active like you but I live in workout wear. Here is what I suggest you do to get the best bikini line that you can. If you want to stick with shaving rather than waxing :
Always start with a clean razor; this is very important especially for someone who has as sensitive of skin as you do. Try opting for an organic shave cream that is free of scents and colours. I use this one for shaving my legs (as I wax my bikini area) as it creates a rich lather and is full of natural ingredients. Second, you want to shave at the end of your shower, which allows some time for the hair to become a bit softer, reducing the irritation your hair follicle will experience as you shave. Make sure you shave in the direction of the hair growth, not against it and when you get out of the shower, gently pat the bikini area dry and apply an antibacterial tea tree oil. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of tea tree oil will help prevent infections and limit the inflammation you might experience from shaving. Also, when showering make sure you use an all natural soap that is free of unnecessary chemicals to prevent the area from becoming irritated.
I would highly recommend that you give waxing a second chance as the more you wax the finer the hair becomes and the waxing becomes easier. The only downside with waxing is that you CANNOT shave in between waxing appointments as this will bring you back to square one. When waxing the sensitive area of the bikini line you need to make sure that the wax is not too hot and look for a spa that uses a hard wax as it does not pull on the skin when being removed.
In your day to day care, I can not express enough the importance of exfoliating. The exfoliating gloves work great in the shower but also try and find a loofah that is specific for the bikini line. I have this one and use it before I go to bed every night. I find as long as I exfoliate, my ingrown hairs and red bumps are minimal. Also, wash your workout clothing and your undergarments in a natural detergent that is meant for sensitive skin and is unscented. Commercial brands are full of harsh chemicals and scents that can aggravate sensitive skin. You can find these products in most grocery stores; this one is my favourite.
