HEALTH
Your Bod
I have major bikini-line anxiety. How do I shave down there?
True, many girls don’t dig having straggly hairs hanging out of bikini bottoms, but no one wants bright red bikini-line bumps. To avoid both, try these tips from Dr. Andrea Cambio, a New York dermatologist: First, use small scissors to trim the hairs that hang out of your bikini. Next, take a warm shower or bath for at least 10 minutes to soften your skin. Using a new razor and fragrance-free shaving gel, shave downward in the direction of the hair. That last part is key, hence the italics. If you shave upward, against the hair, you’ll get ingrowns (ugly) and razor burn (ouch). After shaving, don’t put panties on right away. Wear cotton shorts for a few hours to avoid chafing. Even if you are super careful, you might still wind up with itchiness or a pimple-like sore. Don’t touch! Instead, dab with a cotton ball dipped in milk, suggests Susie Galvez, esthetician and owner of Face Works Day Spa in Richmond, Va. The hair follicles will heal in a few days, and then you can do it all over again. (Yes, fun, fun!)
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