Bikini Area

My skin is the same way and the only thing that worked for me was lazer hair removal. It can be a little pricey depending on where you go but TOTALLY worth it!!

If you dont mind ordering off of TV, there is this product that my daughter ordered called SMOOTH AWAY. She said it works great. Hope I have helped. A.

Over the years, I've tried everything in every combination, including waxing. While waxing certainly provides a longer period of hairless time, I still got ingrown hairs. The only thing that I've ever found to work permanently is laser hair removal. While it is expensive, it is also permanent. When you consider all the money spent on waxing (home and professional), skin care products, razors, razor blades, etc. over a lifetime, laser hair removal is really, truly a good investment. I never have to shave my legs or bikini area again. No bumps, no rash, no pain, no irritation, no stinging and no window of hairless time. Lindsey at A Hair Never There is outstanding and super fast. They have a price list on-line, too. Also, they have monthly specials and coupons in some of the local direct mail books and such. You can ask about that.
http://denverlaserhairremoval.com/laser_hair_removal.html

Good luck.

You may want to try Sally Hansen's Sensitive Skin hair removal spray. I read about it in Oprah magazine and tried it. I had no irritation and it worked great.

Have you considered doing it at home yourself? You can buy products at the beauty supply. As for going in, I would reconsider it. Trust me, we work beauty shows everywhere and many of our clients are spas and salons who offer this service--even full brazilians, and nothing phases them. I was surprised when they talk about it like some people discuss investments. It isn't about the clients, it's about the best way to do a job and what products are the best....your privacy will be respected, too. Give it some thought, and good luck.

Hi D.,
I have this same issue. I cannot shave due to the painful ingrown hairs. Oddly, I also cannot wax - the ingrown hairs are WORSE - and this is true of the eyebrows too, so I have to get them tweezed. I can use Nair - but have to be extremely careful of the length of time I leave it on - enough to get the hair, but not too long to burn my skin... and then it grows back IMMEDIATELY, so not worth it.
The only thing I have ever discovered that works for me is laser hair removal. In the past I have done it 3 times, and it made the hair growth subside enough... and maybe did something to my skin that I could actually shave!! No ingrown hairs either! It was great & lasted for years until I got pregnant. Now, I am back to how it was before I ever got laser... so I am starting over. I have had one treatment, and have another this weekend. I am hoping it will do the trick at 3. We'll see! I go to Affordable laser in Broomfield, because it's pretty affordable, and the nurses are good there.

my bikini area is very sensitive too. And this will probably sound like the opposite of what you should do but it works for me. I have noticed that if I shave that area every day and I mean every day the ingrown hairs and sensitivity got better. I think it's the fact of not letting the hair grow long that helps. Because If I go a few days to a week without shaving and then do it it is so painful and gets all red. So I would just try to do a quick shave every day for a week or two and see if that helps. Also there is this cream called bikini zone to help with irritation and ingrown hairs that works sooo good. I couldn't believe how well it cleared up down there.

I do my own waxes. Its a lot messier than getting it professionally done, but its way cheaper. They sell kits at beauty supply places (like Sally or Ulta) and sometimes even Target has them. Yes it is painful the first time or two, but after that your skin becomes less sensitive and it is really easy. Just make sure the hair you are going to wax is no more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. Also, try to find a kit that includes lotions for easy wax removal and skin soother.

Hi--I totally feel your stress. I feel like I have discovered something great this summer. I've used Bikini Zone and it is a good product to soothe shaving irritation, but. . . I am so happy I found a person at a salon who suggested sugaring. Yes, you still have to go in and get personal with a stranger, but in exchange you are smooth and no-maintenance for over a month and feel like you're ready for your Victoria's Secret photo shoot at a moment's notice. ;)
The esthetician uses a warmed ball of sugar and lemon juice that is kind of the consistency of pulled taffy. She smooths it over the hair and quickly pulls it *in the direction of the hair growth* so you're so much less likely to get ingrowns and irritation! Plus, the sugar doesn't stick to your skin, only the hairs, so it doesn't hurt as bad as waxing.
I am red for the rest of the day and lookin' great by the next morning, and I have pretty sensitive skin.
My favorite products are from Paula's Choice (www.paulaschoice.com) because she has an AHA exfoliating gel that I can apply to keep things exfoliated so I don't get any ingrowns as the hair comes back. And it really does come back a lot finer after a couple of times. I also use her skin soothing ointment, which my hubby uses as an aftershave. It is better than other products. Paula's Choice stuff is the best I've ever used.
I never thought I'd surrender my dignity and go to a salon for hair removal, but dang, it's the best, and any esthestician who's any good will be an expert in making you feel comfortable and the least exposed possible during the procedure. Mine is relaxed and funny and says she now knows how doctors feel--it's no big deal, I promise promise promise!
Happy swimming!

This may sound weird, but what helps me is to apply underarm deoderant to my bikini zone after I've shaved. I use Secret, so I don't know if it's just that brand or any would do. It really smooths and protects things down there.

I used this stuff named "Bikini Zone" found at Wal-Mart. It worked well if used consistently. Good luck!

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

I wax myself. I use a honey wax so it can come off with water.
And the wax is gentle on my sensitive skin. It does hurt but you can get used to it. Plus once you have done it for a while then you can go longer without having to do it.
I have to get back into it after having a baby:)
My absolute favorite wax is called Wax Away. Its hard to find but Classy Chassy's in bountiful has it. I like it so much that i drive up there to stick up on it.

If you get your hands on some Coochy it is the best. I have been using it for 5-6 years now and can't shave without it now. I always got red bumps and painfull after shaving but when I started using Coochy it went away. Some lingery shops carry it but you may have to buy it online.

Laser. It's the best and you'll never have to worry about it again!!

I had laser treatments years ago, but if you are not comfortable with waxing this might not be the treatment for you. I prefer VEET over Nair.

I'd love to hear some ideas on this, too.

Shave and use Bikini Zone. The irritation and bumps are caused by bacterial infection in the hair follicles. Bikini Zone is a anti-bacterial gel. Use it after you shower and every time you go to the restroom. They also have a shave cream you can use right in the shower. If you are faithful about application it works.

I love that you are asking this question! How fun! I have to say that I don't think there is anything out there that really works if you have sensitive skin. I, too have sensitive skin and the best thing I've found is shaving with the Mach 3 razor. It somehow shaves less close and doesn't give me that red, itchy, bumpy thing that usually happens. Waxing is awesome, too, but I've had a terrible time with ingrown hairs. Good luck and let me know if you find anything better!

I have heard very favorable information about laser hair removal. The key is doing research to make sure it's someone licensed, experienced, and cautious. I met with someone I was impressed with and would be happy to share the information. If you're interested, please contact me through www.feelpure.myarbonne.com. (It is a bit costly, but it is permanent.) I plan to do it when money allows. :)

I usually use a really good razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. I shave everytime I shower which seems to help. I use bikini zone too. Good luck!

I am glad you asked that b/c I have had the same issues. I finally went in for a wax and I looked and felt great for over a month. It was a little embarrassing but it was worth it when I got in the pool. I don't have the money to do that so I have a kit with wax strips and do it myself. it hurts the first time and gets red for the day but after that, the redness is gone and no ingrown hairs and no bumps. It is the only way to go and I tried EVERYTHING> Do your own wax if you can't go in for one. It is clean and feels sexy.

Sorry dear, but waxing is the best option. I snow a great person if you are interested, truly the best in the business...very respectful and professional. You could also try it yourself, but the best results possible are to get it done professionally. Let me know if you are interested.

I agree with everyone that says waxing is best. It's embarrassing the first time or two (and a little painful), but bikini/Brazilian waxes are so common now, that the ladies at the salon are really professional and unfazed by just about anything. Since the hair is pulled out at the root, it grows back fine and thin & should not give you ingrown hairs and bumps.

If you choose to shave or use over the counter products, try getting an after shave bump product. I've found that the products made for African American men (facial product) work better than traditional bikini products (and they're cheaper). I think the one I've used is called Bump Patrol (bought at Walmart).

I recently started using an electric razor on my bikini area, and that is the ONLY thing that has helped me. I tried waxing years ago, but I can't afford to go to a salon and when I tried it at home it didn't work at all.

I'm having the same problem. We've got a free pool close & w/3 boys we're always there-so I've got to "landscape" daily. Ouch! I'm not sensitive but after a few consecutive days of shaving I certainly am! I use the scrubbie gloves like this (http://www.thefind.com/beauty/info-exfoliating-bath-gloves) to get rid of all of the ingrown hairs before they start. Rather than using shaving cream, I've started using either the shave lotion from Slumber Parties or just conditioner (that's basically all their shave lotion is anyway). I shave top to bottom just in the crease there at the bikini line, then from the inside toward my hip-I've got hairs growing every which way! As soon as I get out of the shower-before I lotion any other part of me, I apply witch hazel (generic brand) w/a cotton ball or cotton pad & then lotion like crazy. Repeat daily if you've got a bazillion kids nagging to go to the pool! lol
Good luck!

Someone else recommended Bikini Zone, it helped me some, not 100%, but better than nothing. You can also clean with alcohol after shaving... I don't like that as much. I got 2 things from passion parties. 1 was a set with shave cream and an after shave spray. They work about the same as the bikini zone. I also got topical ez which my friend uses when she gets waxed. It numbs you. She says that she puts it on just before she leaves the house for her appt and has no pain with the waxing. I have yet to try it (a little scared), but she loves it.