Shave without getting those irritating red bumps?

I've been reading here at Lit for a long time, but have just now decided to start talking. I figure what better way than to ask a question that's been on my mind for a while.

I don't like hair, other than what's on my head. I'd like to get ride of all my hair on my pussy, and not just shave the bikini line anymore. However, every time I try, I end up with red, itchy bumps, ingrown hairs, etc. It's not at all attractive. How, exactly, do women manage to shave all that off and have a clean, smooth pussy? Or is there an alternative to shaving that I don't know about? I've heard all about Brazilian waxes, but I'm a poor student who can't afford the upkeep on something like that. Anyone have any advice?

I'd also like to hear the advice on this one, currently I trim with an electric razor and am alright with that, i've shaved before and kept the itching/bumps down with lots of moisturizer (like applying it constantly the day after I shaved) but other than th at I haven't a clue

What works for me is using baby oil as a shaving lotion. Not only does it keep the bumps away, but it leaves you feeling extra smoothe. Another option, if you can't afford a Brazillian wax is to wax yourself. You can find no-heat body waxes in the cosmetology section of virtually any store. I've done the self-waxing thing, but:

1.) You have to wait for your hair to grow out for about a month, which is itchy
2.) The waxing hurts like hell and takes forever and you have to go over and over the same areas because you don't always get all the hairs the first time.
3.) It can cause bleeding (It did when I did it)
4.) For me, it didn't last any longer than shaving

If none of that discourages you, waxing is a great way to keep the bumps away.

Good luck to you!

I never thought about using baby oil...my razor burn is never too bad, it just gets a little itchy about 2 days after I shave...my scratching is what makes it red.

http://www.sex.com.au/images/lawn_mower.jpg

I know,
it's wrong.

Check out The Blank Manual , a superb resource on all things hair.

I learned that you should shave with the hair not against the hair... Shave downwards instead of upwards... Does that make sense???

muddpuppy said:

I learned that you should shave with the hair not against the hair... Shave downwards instead of upwards... Does that make sense???

Click to expand...

I never could shave against the hair, it would catch and pull and just KILL in general, shaving WITH the hair though (when I didn't trim) would mean a couple trips over the same patch to get it all which would just cause more irritation (and some bleeding/cuts)

I think i'll try the baby oil! I'm trimmed now so it's a perfect time to try.

http://goodlaughter.com/funny/fun/shaving.jpg

Ok, I'll stop now.
No, really!

I shave every night with a triple-blade razor and never have a problem with the red bumps nor itching. Perhaps the skin adjusts over time? Or maybe if you do it often enough, those side-effects don't happen. (Otherwise I'm just reeeeally lucky! lol)

Sue

Helping U

There is some stuff for African American men in the shaving section. It cost about 3 dollars and soothes all of shaving's problems. It works for all people. I know I am really sensitive. I get bumps from waxing my eyebrows.

So, what works for me is using a good razor (a new one is best) and lotion afterwards. Also, I find the more I shaved, the less the red bumps showed up. So, like, the first two months they were pretty bad, then got less and less.

Also, if you care for a male perspective, I don't shave untill right after a nice, really really hot bath or shower. The hot water helps a lot.

There's plenty of good info in this in The Blank Manual sticky and the board in general (do a search for 'shaving'), but I'll tell you what I do (and I have really sensitive skin) because I'm feeling less irritable tonight:

***If your hair is long, trim as short as possible with clippers or even scissors in a pinch. Do not try to shave with longer hair.

1)Take a long, hot shower (a bath is even better) consider putting a washcloth over the area and standing in the water...it'll make sure everything is heated.
2) Lather up. I use Skintimate, but just about any sensitive skin formula is fine.
3) Use a fresh blade razor. I use hubby's Gilette Sensor Excel twin-blade because I have good control, like how it pivots, and the replacement cartridges aren't outrageously expensive. Make sure you use a new(ish) one everytime, but it's especially important in the first few days.
4) Pull your skin taut.
5) You can try shaving with the grain of the hair. Mine's too fine to do a good job, so I'll usually do a pass with the grain and one or more against it. You might have to shave different ways in different areas to get everything (I have to go sideways on parts of my outer labia).
6)Rinse.
7) Pat dry.
8) Use hydrocortisone cream. It is very inexpensive (get the generic kind...large tubes with aloe are dirt cheap at Costco) and will help reduce irritation for the first few days you shave. You can also buy BikiniZone for an outrageous price, but I like the cortisone cream better. Apply some.
9) Areas that get sweaty or come in contact with other skin can be dusted with baby powder or cornstarch. Some people use a solid deoderant to keep them dry and itch/irritation free.

If you're really irritated after the first day, take a day off and apply the cortisone cream. But here's the important part....
KEEP SHAVING

After a week or so of shaving daily, I didn't have any irritation at all (unless the blade was too old or I tried after a 2-minute shower). I can shave whenever I want now...everyday, or wait weeks with NO irritation or itching. So getting over that initial hump is the real key.

SueJ said:

I shave every night with a triple-blade razor and never have a problem with the red bumps nor itching. Perhaps the skin adjusts over time? Or maybe if you do it often enough, those side-effects don't happen. (Otherwise I'm just reeeeally lucky! lol)

Sue

Click to expand...

Yes I shave myself and my wife with a mach three,after a while your skin gets conditioned and voila no bumps but those first few times what a bitch.My wife I use an battery operated eyebrow/mustache trimmr and get it real shrt then I go in with the mach three for the smoothness.Myself I just use te mach 3 usually with just soap and water.There is nothing more intimate thanour shave groins touching together with every thrust,I hate having pubes,although I have a mustache andI do not shve the rest of my body,but I have very fine hair on my belly and chest,my wife says just enough.

Thanks!

I have to say, first of all, that I'm amazed not only at the number of people that replied, but at how quickly they did so. I'm sure y'all have heard this question a number of times (obviously, if it's in the manual) but still, everyone has a suggestion.

The baby oil thing I should have thought of, because my mom taught me to use that on my legs if I needed them to be super smooth. I'll definately have to buy a bottle (and the cream!) and give it a go. If the real factor is time, then I think I'm glad I won't be seeing my boyfriend for about two months...

Thx again.

There is another option that hasn't been mentioned....but you have to test it first.

That is hair removal cream! It is simple and easy and won't leave red bumps or itch as much as shaving will.

However - If you go for shaving - I have to agree with some of the posts about keep shaving daily and the skin gets used to it! (so I hear).

I love a shaved Pussy - so "good girl" to all of those who keep theirs all nice and bald or neat! hehe

Nidan said:

There is another option that hasn't been mentioned....but you have to test it first.

That is hair removal cream! It is simple and easy and won't leave red bumps or itch as much as shaving will.

However - If you go for shaving - I have to agree with some of the posts about keep shaving daily and the skin gets used to it! (so I hear).

I love a shaved Pussy - so "good girl" to all of those who keep theirs all nice and bald or neat! hehe

Click to expand...

I have used Sensitive Skin Nair (and Veet mousse, but that hurt), and thought it was better than shaving for awhile. However, I wasn't pleased with the smell even after washing (you can't rub or use soap) and did have some bumps and irritation under the skin. It wasn't a huge deal, but I've found shaving frequently is quicker, easier, and better for my skin.

A lot of people here swear by Magic, a dipilatory for facial hair on African American men. However, some have gotten major chemical burns from or after the patch test, so I"m not willing to try it.

Leanoir, it's great you have lots of time to play around with shaving. You'll likely notice you'll be a lot wetter from the increased sensitivity. A little of that can go away with daily shaving over time, so you might want to cut down on frequency a little before you see him if you want some extra sensitivity and wetness.

leanoir said:

I have to say, first of all, that I'm amazed not only at the number of people that replied, but at how quickly they did so. I'm sure y'all have heard this question a number of times (obviously, if it's in the manual) but still, everyone has a suggestion.

The baby oil thing I should have thought of, because my mom taught me to use that on my legs if I needed them to be super smooth. I'll definately have to buy a bottle (and the cream!) and give it a go. If the real factor is time, then I think I'm glad I won't be seeing my boyfriend for about two months...

Thx again.

Click to expand...

Yup, like they said - shave regularly and all will be well!

(Why am I so lazy?)

Maybe all that cheese you eat is making you logy?

SweetErika said:

There's plenty of good info in this in The Blank Manual sticky and the board in general (do a search for 'shaving'), but I'll tell you what I do (and I have really sensitive skin) because I'm feeling less irritable tonight:

***If your hair is long, trim as short as possible with clippers or even scissors in a pinch. Do not try to shave with longer hair.

1)Take a long, hot shower (a bath is even better) consider putting a washcloth over the area and standing in the water...it'll make sure everything is heated.
2) Lather up. I use Skintimate, but just about any sensitive skin formula is fine.
3) Use a fresh blade razor. I use hubby's Gilette Sensor Excel twin-blade because I have good control, like how it pivots, and the replacement cartridges aren't outrageously expensive. Make sure you use a new(ish) one everytime, but it's especially important in the first few days.
4) Pull your skin taut.
5) You can try shaving with the grain of the hair. Mine's too fine to do a good job, so I'll usually do a pass with the grain and one or more against it. You might have to shave different ways in different areas to get everything (I have to go sideways on parts of my outer labia).
6)Rinse.
7) Pat dry.
8) Use hydrocortisone cream. It is very inexpensive (get the generic kind...large tubes with aloe are dirt cheap at Costco) and will help reduce irritation for the first few days you shave. You can also buy BikiniZone for an outrageous price, but I like the cortisone cream better. Apply some.
9) Areas that get sweaty or come in contact with other skin can be dusted with baby powder or cornstarch. Some people use a solid deoderant to keep them dry and itch/irritation free.

If you're really irritated after the first day, take a day off and apply the cortisone cream. But here's the important part....
KEEP SHAVING

After a week or so of shaving daily, I didn't have any irritation at all (unless the blade was too old or I tried after a 2-minute shower). I can shave whenever I want now...everyday, or wait weeks with NO irritation or itching. So getting over that initial hump is the real key.

Click to expand...

Once again, SE comes through some excellent, detailed advice here. As a man who shaves occasionally (just my balls), I echo what she has said with the following additional comments. BTW, I never have problems with red bumps or itching.

1) Preperation is key. Long hot showers or bath to soften the skin as well as the hair is important. I also use conditioner on the area prior to shaving to further soften and smooth things.

2) It helps for the hair to be short to begin with. However, do not try to use an electric razor to get it real close. just trim it. If you try to trim to close with the electric razor, you risk more iritation than doing nothing at all. At least that has been my experience.

3) Pulling skin tight is the key. You think shaving a pussy is tough? Try shaving, wrinkly, sagging, loose balls! Keeping the skin tight helps in many ways and ensures you get all the hairs that might otherwise be hiding down in the loose folds of skin.

4) Lather is important too. I use just regular soap or shampoo. Conditioner makes a great shaving lather too. If you shave in the shower as I do, I find the water makes using traditional shaving cream almost imppossible.

5) Fresh blades always helps, although once you are in maintenance mode, you do not need to use a new blade each time. One important note especially during the first shave is to be sure you clear the baldes of shaved hair after each stroke. A clogged blade, new or not, is as bad as an old rusty one. Make sure it is rinsed and clear before proceeding each time. Again, once you are ni maintenance mode, this is less of an issue.

6) Once you are done, use some post shaving lotion of some sort. I do this in the shower and again, I often just use conditioner on the shaved area. This has the added benefit of softening the hair that I do not shave.

Just my 2 cents...

rhev said:

Maybe all that cheese you eat is making you logy?

Click to expand...

Cud be. Cud be.

leanoir said:

I've been reading here at Lit for a long time, but have just now decided to start talking. I figure what better way than to ask a question that's been on my mind for a while.

I don't like hair, other than what's on my head. I'd like to get ride of all my hair on my pussy, and not just shave the bikini line anymore. However, every time I try, I end up with red, itchy bumps, ingrown hairs, etc. It's not at all attractive. How, exactly, do women manage to shave all that off and have a clean, smooth pussy? Or is there an alternative to shaving that I don't know about? I've heard all about Brazilian waxes, but I'm a poor student who can't afford the upkeep on something like that. Anyone have any advice?

Click to expand...

I can definitely recommend the waxing route. If you cant afford to go to a salon (Mrs & I cant...) then the other option available, is to do it yourself, or better still with a willing partner...

We find the best results come from using ready waxed strips... Its a lot less fuss than heating up the wax, applying it etc etc, and a lot faster too... One box of strips usually lasts us about 3 months, so its a good investment....

I wont give you the nitty gritty detail about how long the hair needs to be, or how to get it that way, thats well documented... (OK, if you want I will)... but definitely home waxing is an option... Tis a touch tricky on your own, but its a lot of fun if two of you get into it !

Waxing seems like a great way to go. Otherwise, cocoa butter is the greatest stuff in the world for this. Go to any bath store and get some type of butter to rub on yourself after shaving and it will minimize the bumps and irritation by a lot.

Time to Try

I've been thinking about trying one of those do-it-yourself wax kits for a while...I think I may just go to the store on my day off and pick up everything everyone has recommended. That way I can figure out the best way

Now is when I really, really wish my roommates and I didn't live in a construction zone. Our bathtub isn't functional yet (not to mention the pile of wood it currently contains...oops!).