Shaving

[mosquito]

Are there any particular products you can use before during or afterwards to minimize the bumps and the itchiness?

[sky73]

I've heard that using mens aftershave works well, although I haven't tried it yet. I have used a product called Tend Skin. You can buy it online, but it's a bit expensive. It does prevent bumps, though. Right now, I'm using something called "Bump Stopper". It's in the mens shaving section of the store. It comes in a tiny bottle, you only need a little bit. I put the stuff directly on the bumps and they go away in a day or two.

[rincaro]

I only get the bumpies in the bikini area. Ouch! Bikini Zone makes it not hurt, but it doesn't make the bumps go down at all.

[thebelovedtree]

neosporin after shaving helps a little, thats really the only thing I've found that works at all.

When I tried Ouch! it just made the bumps sting a WHOLE lot, but it didn't make them go away at all.

[Christy]

I use Tend Skin (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P13024&searchString=tendskin) for my bikini line.

Here's my email to them:


Dr. Rosen,

Are Tend Skin products tested on animals? Are animal by-products used in the ingredients? I hope the answer is no, because your lotion has helped me tremendously. Please let me know.

Christy *****

His reply:


Hi Christy,

Thanks for the inquiry! I own the company, and I'm also a PETA member and a
vegetarian. So, you can safely conclude that there are no animal derived
ingredients in any of our products.

As for animal application, the product was not tested on animals, but it is
'used' for animals. Go to www.vetskin.com and see for yourself.

As a twist on cliches, the product was "tested on humans" for use with
animals! How does that sound? maybe we should make up a T-Shirt??

Thanks also for letting me know the product has helped you!!

Kindest regards,
Dr. Steven Rosen
Pres.

Me:


Dr. Rosen,

Thank you for getting back to me! I'm glad to know you are cruelty-free.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to license the trademarked Leaping Bunny Logo to assure myself and other concerned consumers that your products are certified free of animal testing. To find out more about this program contact the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics at (888) 546-CCIC, or visit them online at www.leapingbunny.org.

Thanks again,

Christy *****

Him:


Hi Christy,

I am two letters from suppliers away from PETA certification as cruelty free. I never heard of the CCIC, but will check it out!

Thanks for the info!

Regards,
Steve

That was March 6, 2003. I'm not sure of the status. (This was probably overkill, huh?)

[rabid_child]

I use Aveeno shaving stuff for skin that freaks out, or something. I like the almondy smell :) It seems to work quite well, not that my skin freaked out to begin with... Its also important to make sure you're not shaving with a dull razor. Its very irritating!

[Cissy]

I don't have any good advice - my skin has a tendency to "freak out" as r_c put it :p Some of these products look good - but $20 for the Tend Skin is way more than I can afford.

[brownieB26]

I used to get lots of bumps after shaving, but now I don't anymore- it's kind of a mystery. There are some things I've changed about my routine, though, like r_c mentioned never shaving with a dull blade, exfoliating before, and letting my legs alone after I shave them, like not putting any mosturizer or lotions on after I shave. If you shave in the shower it's also supposed to help, because the warm water makes your pores open up or something so the hair comes out more easily...I think I've read that somewhere. good luck!

[Skylark]

I don't shave every day, or even every other day, so that reduces the amount of irritation I have due to shaving.

[mosquito]

I only get the bumpies in the bikini area. Ouch! Bikini Zone makes it not hurt, but it doesn't make the bumps go down at all.

Yes, that's where I've been having trouble. It being summertime and all with the short-shorts, and the swim suits...

It might be worth it to try that other product mentioned. The expensive one.

[Christy]

Cissy, that stuff lasts a long time. But I only use it on my bikini area.

[bethanie]

You know, I used to get bumps under my arms and in my bikinni area, but I expiramented with shaving in the opposite direction, meaning in the direction my hair actually grows instead of against. That helped tremendously in both places. Particularly under my arms where I used to have pretty serious bump issues. The only problem with this is that the shave isn't quite as close. But I think when you shave in the wrong direction, the hair gets displaced in the shaft and 'stuck' in there and that's what causes the bumps.

[sky73]

You know, I used to get bumps under my arms and in my bikinni area, but I expiramented with shaving in the opposite direction, meaning in the direction my hair actually grows instead of against. That helped tremendously in both places. Particularly under my arms where I used to have pretty serious bump issues. The only problem with this is that the shave isn't quite as close. But I think when you shave in the wrong direction, the hair gets displaced in the shaft and 'stuck' in there and that's what causes the bumps.


I've seen this suggestion in many magazine articles, but it seems like it would be difficult to get rid of all the hair when you shave in the direction of the growth. :confused:

[Christy]

Another suggestion that has helped is to shave every day. It is supposed to toughen the skin so it is not so sensitive.

[rincaro]

every day. on my bikini line? ouchie wa wa!

[Christy]

I do it (well, almost every day). I first tried it last year for a few weeks before I was supposed to go swimming, and it helped along with the Tendksin.

[rincaro]

i'll just take some motrin and a couple shots of rum and i'll try that. :)

[mosquito]

I do it (well, almost every day). I first tried it last year for a few weeks before I was supposed to go swimming, and it helped along with the Tendksin.

Oh my GAWD! Do you promise my skin is going to clear up eventually if I keep doing this every day? I look like (I'm sorry guys) a plucked chicken! I picked up some Bikini Zone at Walgreens as it was the only thing they carried for this particular problem, and it does help immediately with the pain, and seems to help the swelling and redness go down after a couple hours. Every time I shave it seems like my skin gets rawer and rawer though. Luckily I'm not going to the beach until the end of this month, so I have alot of time to clear up this issue.

[Christy]

Yes, it should. I used Bikini Zone, too, but the Tend Skin worked better for me. Maybe you could try shaving every other day until it has calmed a bit, then try every day.

[bizarro]

neosporin after shaving helps a little, thats really the only thing I've found that works at all.

When I tried Ouch! it just made the bumps sting a WHOLE lot, but it didn't make them go away at all.

this just helps the skin heal over the hair causing more ingrovn hairs. unless you cut yourself never use neosporin.

[Galatea]

I use Silky Underwear dusting powder from Lush on my bikini area. Keeping it dry seems to prevent a lot of the bumps etc. but I also don't shave against the grain there. It's just not worth it.

Alpha hydroxy lotions work for my legs, though.

[*Star*Lass*]

I can only shave my bikini area once a week or it bleeds too much. On holiday i obviously shaved more regular, every other day, and just put up with the bleeding. But since i don't wear bikinis a hell of a lot here in north-east england, i just stick to once a week. Even if i waited 6 days instead of 7, it's a blood bath!! It still bleeds a bit after 7 though. My hair starts growing back the next day! I hate shaving! :brood:

[Artichoke47]

I was using a depilatory, but then after about a year or two, my skin got used to it and I had to leave it on longer, causing irritation and redness. Now I shave about every 3 days, but I will try that every day (starting with every other day) suggestion. I usually use my Zero Zits cleanser that I use on my face and back to cleanse my bikini area every day, and that helps to keep the bumps from occurring.

I don't understand what people are talking about when they say it bleeds a lot. I could see having one bloody bump with a tiny bit of blood, but that's all that's happened to me. And I don't find it painful, either. :confused:

I guess it's best I don't know where this blood is coming from, as I am squeamish times 10.

[misq17]

Anyone tried any of the hair removal creams?

[*Star*Lass*]

I don't understand what people are talking about when they say it bleeds a lot. I could see having one bloody bump with a tiny bit of blood, but that's all that's happened to me. And I don't find it painful, either. :confused:


It's like almost every hair follicle in my bikini area bleeds after i've shaved, and if i look away for a minute then look back, the whole area is covered in blood. After the bleeding stops and i'm out of the bath i have tiny red spots everywhere where the follicles have stopped bleeding. That's what it's like at it's worst. If i wait a week then i have about 6-10 bleeding follicles.

My legs aren't like that, although i try to only shave them once a week too, cos they're very sensitive. Typically they're very hairy too (thick, dark hair), especially my calves. I can only ever wear a skirt on the day i shave, the next day i have a couple of millimetres of hair in some areas on my calves. Hair removal cream doesn't work on my legs, it leaves them all patchy, and i don't think i'd ever get them waxed cos i'm sure my skin would come off too!! :eek: