Bikini Line Care
Education is key, so after a Brazilian Bikini Wax it’s pretty important to start looking after your bikini line area. Here are some basics, and just so you know, I’m not a doctor; I’m just speaking from experience and trial and error:
After a Wax: No Heavy Creams or Oils
It makes sense that when you pull a hair out of its follicle, there’s going to be a miniscule hole where the hair used to belong. My personal belief is that when you apply product to that area, the follicle gets jammed up resulting in unwanted ingrown hair and blocked follicles. A blocked follicle looks like a black head. If you experience this, invest in a good dry skin loofah or loofah mitts. Begin by exfoliating EVER SO LIGHTLY in a gentle, circular motion. I would also recommend exfoliating the night before a wax; it gets rid of any dead skin cells etc. Don’t exfoliate immediately after a wax, wait at least 24 hours. I would like to add that we will apply after wax lotions to your skin immediately after your service, so you really won’t need to rush off to apply anything. You will see a list of recommended products at the end of this page.
Ingrown Hairs
Yuck! We hate them, we pick them and stick things in them, and still they remain, and sometimes they have the nerve to multiply! Why? I don’t know, but I am going to attempt to explain how to prevent them and how to treat them if you get them. I’ve noticed that there are certain people who are more prone to ingrown hairs – like, for example, ME! I have thick and curly hair. When my hair grows back, it doesn’t grow back to the surface straight, it grows back in a hook/curl. So when it gets to the surface, it sometimes doesn’t break through. You can see these hairs through your skin, they are just beneath the surface and OH SO tempting to pick. I’ve had success with exfoliation (not with a product, but with mitts) and the facial wash that I have recommended above. Don’t use salt scrubs etc., as I find these to be too abrasive and perfumed. These things just irritate the situation and once again, plug up your follicles. So, if you have thick, curly or coarse hair; sorry, you are just more susceptible. You might also be more prone to ingrown hairs and sensitive skin if you do the following:
- Cross your legs for long periods of time.
- Work out excessively and don’t wash your skin immediately after using an antibacterial or gentle exfoliating wash.
- Insist on wearing fashionable tight jeans, knickers or clothing for prolonged periods of time that can irritate your skin.
Treat your bikini line skin like the skin on your face. It’s a delicate area and should not be ignored. If you are a naughty pimple picker then there is not much help I can send your way. Yes, I know it is satisfying and addictive. I sometimes indulge myself, however, the horrid results of you trying to dig out that pesky ingrown are plentiful. You can end up permanently scarring your skin. We call them “ice pick” scars in the trade.
And let’s not forget about bacteria that can be found inside your fingernails and other weapons of choice! When you push down on an ingrown or red bump, you may see something come out of the top of it. Thinking you have solved it, you wake up the next day only to see another two have popped up. (This will happen on your face too). The problem is that the pushing, forces sebum (oil) and other debris to push out of the follicle through the bottom, rupturing it and causing an infection, which kindly spreads to other follicles. DON’T PICK!!!!
Cleaning Your Bikini Area
Very simple. Light exfoliation with your dry skin loofah or loofah mitts on a daily or nightly basis with a squirt of a exfoliating cleanser and you should be on your way to a glowing, soft as a baby’s bum bikini line.
What If? Red or White Bumps Appear After A Wax or Shave?
Treat the area with a 1% Hydrocortisone cream followed by a topical antibiotic cream such as Bacitracin or Polysporin. I am not a huge fan of Neosporin as some people are unaware that they are allergic to Neomycin.
If you are concerned, call your esthetician and get some advice. She will want to help you!
Pick your product for exfoliation and prevention. Some people prefer to use a SALICYLIC ACID, BENZYL PEROXIDE, or a GLYCOLIC ACID for maintenance and troubleshooting. For instance, I use a glycolic body wash, and then treat my underarms and bikini area with a 2% salicylic acid.
We have some fabulous zit zapping and ingrown hair busting products at Queen Bee. You can purchase our award winning, salicylic-based “BUZZ OFF BUMPS!” in two strengths from our salon or purchase it online. We also sell other great ingrown hair products so give our friendly Queen Bee front desk staff a call and they will be happy to assist in any way!
Why do I still feel prickly after my wax?
We can break this down for you in bullet points:
- Your hair was not long enough
- You are a fan of skin tight jeans or yoga pants and you wear them all day, every day. Not making sense? Well, those tight pants rub on your hair, eventually breaking it. Hair at the top of your legs tends to be more “fine” than the hair on your lower legs. Hair on your bum tends to be softer than the hair on your bikini, thus making it easier to break from the friction of your pants rubbing on them.
- You have been shaving and your hair growth is off cycle. What do you do about that? Easy, for legs/underarms/bikinis, after your wax session and then 2 days after you can start to shave those areas (downward) until you start to see the waxed hair coming up. Once you see those waxed hairs peaking up, stop shaving and allow all of the hair to grow out at the same cycle. Hair can be fickle, so don’t expect every follicle to behave!
- You are not exfoliating enough. Use your dry brush everyday and use a newly formulated Buzz off Bumps pad to help remove the dry skin that is trapping your hairs.
