Bikini area preference question

[sillypanda]

Having very sensitive skin, I have finally had enough of shaving and waxing and decided to get my bikini area lasered.

However, as this is a permanent (hopefully) method of hair removal, I'm torn as to how much to eliminate.

So, if I may, I'd like to ask for some opinions, male and female welcome - what are your bikini area preferences?

- Bare
- Strip
- Triangle
- Full

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Also, if anyone has any experience with this treatment and has any advice to offer, that would be welcome as well!

Have a great evening all, and thank you very much!

 

[Kaarnanyx]

My personal preference for myself, as well as on other women, is bare. But then I prefer my men trimmed or bare as well. The whole hair in mouth/teeth is a bit of a turn off...

 

[SweetErika]

What's your preference now, with shaving and waxing?

I think if I did laser, I'd leave a small patch/triangle for versatility. That could always be trimmed, shaved, or waxed off in the future, but once it's lasered, it's gone.

Then again, if I'm going to the time and expense of getting it lasered, maybe I'd want it all off if the price was the same. That's partly because my pubic hair is fine, so it never fills in to a nice landing strip or anything.

 

[Kaarnanyx]

What's your preference now, with shaving and waxing?

For on myself I just shave. The idea of someone coming at me with wax for down there just makes me cringe. For others as long as its smooth I'm not picky as to how it gets done

 

[NestleSnipes]

I think girls look great no matter what. I'd imagine most men would agree. I doubt a future partner will care either way if you are bare, full or trimmed.

The safe route would be to not shave or wax for some time just in case. I'd hate to make a life change and change my mind after.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[SweetErika]

For on myself I just shave. The idea of someone coming at me with wax for down there just makes me cringe. For others as long as its smooth I'm not picky as to how it gets done

I was asking Panda if she shaves/waxes it all, or leaves some hair. I'd imagine her preference now might be what she wants to do when she gets it lasered. Maybe.

And waxing by a professional or someone who knows what they're doing is far better than shaving. It hurts, but the results are better, last much longer, and less hair grows back over time.

 

[Kaarnanyx]

I was asking Panda if she shaves/waxes it all, or leaves some hair. I'd imagine her preference now might be what she wants to do when she gets it lasered. Maybe.

And waxing by a professional or someone who knows what they're doing is far better than shaving. It hurts, but the results are better, last much longer, and less hair grows back over time.

Sorry I misunderstood where the question was directed...

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

Having very sensitive skin, I have finally had enough of shaving and waxing and decided to get my bikini area lasered.

However, as this is a permanent (hopefully) method of hair removal, I'm torn as to how much to eliminate.

So, if I may, I'd like to ask for some opinions, male and female welcome - what are your bikini area preferences?

- Bare
- Strip
- Triangle
- Full

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Also, if anyone has any experience with this treatment and has any advice to offer, that would be welcome as well!

Have a great evening all, and thank you very much!

Personally, I prefer bare: I never liked going to the dentist for a haircut. (Metaphorically, that is)

 

[silverwhisper]

personally, i favor a trimmed area, rather than completely bare. i know it's popular to go that way, but for me, i'd rather have a little something down there rather than nothing at all.

ed

 

[tocurpussy]

I myself like to see hair there as long as it's trimmed. But really in the end it will be your decision as to what you want for yourself

 

[omgitselaine]

I would more times than not have the " landing strip " ......... totally bare leaves feeling like a little girl i think

 

[lemmesee]

I absolutely do not like a shaved bikinia area....never have, never will....I can't imagine how it ever got started....my answer is FULL, with one caveat....if the woman actually wears a bikini bottom sometimes and a full bush would occasionally leave some individual hairs sticking out of the bikini bottom that would make her feel uncomfortable, then my preference would be TRIANGLE....

 

[sillypanda]

What's your preference now, with shaving and waxing?

I think if I did laser, I'd leave a small patch/triangle for versatility. That could always be trimmed, shaved, or waxed off in the future, but once it's lasered, it's gone.

Then again, if I'm going to the time and expense of getting it lasered, maybe I'd want it all off if the price was the same. That's partly because my pubic hair is fine, so it never fills in to a nice landing strip or anything.

Fair question, and one I probably should have answered already lol - sorry about that!

Especially with waxing I just get rid of it all, but that's with the knowledge that it will grow back.

I've been going back and forth quite a bit about the laser treatment though, partly for the reasons you listed above (versatility vs. cost-effectiveness), but also because my own current preference is bare but will I always feel that way?

My first treatment is in about a week so I've got a bit of time left to figure it out.

Thank you all very much for your input so far! I really appreciate it!!!

 

[Felix_Jones]

Bald

I love clear playground.

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

My first treatment is in about a week so I've got a bit of time left to figure it out.

Realistically, you can have your pubic hair shaped into a landing strip or triangle, then wear it for a while and decide how you like it. If you decide you want less hair, you can always have more removed later. You don’t have to have it all done at one time. If you have it all removed the first go-round, you can’t put it back.

 

[sillypanda]

Realistically, you can have your pubic hair shaped into a landing strip or triangle, then wear it for a while and decide how you like it. If you decide you want less hair, you can always have more removed later. You don’t have to have it all done at one time. If you have it all removed the first go-round, you can’t put it back.

This is a fabulous idea - thank you! The treatments are actually done in a series (usually 4-10) so I think I'll get the first done leaving some hair and then perhaps get rid of it all in future treatments.

Though personally I prefer none on myself, I may not always feel that way - I'm hoping they can give me some advice when I get there lol.

Thanks again everyone! :*

 

[NestleSnipes]

This is a fabulous idea - thank you! The treatments are actually done in a series (usually 4-10) so I think I'll get the first done leaving some hair and then perhaps get rid of it all in future treatments.

Though personally I prefer none on myself, I may not always feel that way - I'm hoping they can give me some advice when I get there lol.

Thanks again everyone! :*

Why again is shaving and waxing a problem? If it causes problems I can see the reasoning behind wanting a permanent fix but if you're just tired of shaving or waxing... I'd give it some time to see if you're just going through a mood where you're done with the maintenance lol.

 

[fire_breeze]

I'm in the midst of having laser done. With my bikini, the aesthetician recommended something thicker than a landing strip - her reasoning is that if I want to take it all off or go thinner, I can always wax it or shave it off, but I can never regrow it. She also said that as a person grows older, their preferences change. So currently, I have a thick landing strip (with bare lips) which I can eventually decide what I want due to my preference at the time.

Just my .02 cents


ETA: I just saw that you asked for advice and tips

Realise that laser is not 100%; it's usually between 75-90% effective, depending on what type of candidate you are. Also, make sure that the technician is fully certified. She should have taken a course, and have a full certification, not just a workshop. Over here, this is regulated, and the centres are certified as well as the aestheticians, so I just went to the place that I usually go, because I've had good experiences. Make sure you do your homework, because lasering can be dangerous. You should also be wearing protective glasses.

It does hurt. I have a high pain tolerance level (I usually find waxing enjoyable ), and there were a few times that I had to bite down on my lips and breathe. But for the most part, it's like getting a series of shots, and within minutes, I felt fine. She would cover every area with a cool, damp cloth to speed the healing and to take away the sting.

Make sure you shave the area for at least 6 weeks before your first treatment. The technician asked me to shave before hand, and then she just went over the places I've missed. You will be asked not to take any pain meds - it can alter the skin reaction and it can dull your pain, which is not a good thing. Your aesthetician will (should) be talking you and making sure that you're doing okay. If it really is unbearable, speak up and she'll lower the voltage.

I was told to expect reactions, spots, and sensitivity for up to a week after getting a treatment. I was fine within 24 hours after the lasering, but again, I exceeded expectations and I am a prime candidate for laser hair removal, so I might not be in a good position how you should be expected to react. Oh, and expect to smell burning and hear cracking sounds. That's a good sign, as the laser is killing the roots of the hair in the follicles.

You shouldn't be taking a bath (a shower is fine) for 24 after the treatment. No sun, or tanning lotion. You'll be asked to exfoliate between treatments (but wait 5-7 days after treatment), and moisturise moisturise moisturise and apply aloe vera gel! Lasering dries out your skin. Don't be surprised that when you do exfoliate, little hairs will fall out. It's kinda cool actually.

Finally, make sure you communicate with your aesthetician - she'll be able to adjust for your needs and skin type (and she should be honest whether or not you're a good candidate. If your hair is too pale, then you're just wasting your money) and give you further tips. Also, do your homework.

I've noticed a drastic difference after the first treatment, so I can just assume how much better it will be after more regular treatments. I think of this as an investment in myself. If I think of anything else, or if you have any further questions, I'll be happy to answer them based on my experience.

 

[fire_breeze]

Why again is shaving and waxing a problem? If it causes problems I can see the reasoning behind wanting a permanent fix but if you're just tired of shaving or waxing... I'd give it some time to see if you're just going through a mood where you're done with the maintenance lol.

Shaving is a problem due to the in-grown hairs, the frequency that one has to shave and the fact that the skin is never smooth for long. Waxing can be costly. Again, this is only my opinion, but once I sat down and calculated how much I spend waxing, I realised that with a more permanent option, I would have it all paid off within two years. That's what made me save up and invest in laser

 

[NestleSnipes]

Shaving is a problem due to the in-grown hairs, the frequency that one has to shave and the fact that the skin is never smooth for long. Waxing can be costly. Again, this is only my opinion, but once I sat down and calculated how much I spend waxing, I realised that with a more permanent option, I would have it all paid off within two years. That's what made me save up and invest in laser

I learn something new every day.

 

[Leotard]

...my own current preference is bare but will I always feel that way?

You could always get hair implants if you decide you hate it later on. Although that is kind of saying 'I can always get it lasered off' before getting a tattoo..

 

[brutus911]

No floss for me

 

[ElegantlyElle]

There is a fantastic razor by Seiko that works very well for going bare. You still have to shave every day, but you don't get the irritation. I got mine for Christmas from my fiance and I love it. Definitely worth the $60. I would recommend this over a regular razor, because the Seiko gets very close.

I've heard of people using the Epilady, but damn! Definitely not for me. I'd have to have quite a few drinks every time I used it.

 

[sillypanda]

Wow, thanks so much for all the fabulous info fire_breeze!

I, too, am a "perfect candidate" for laser hair removal (very fair skin, medium brown hair) and spent several years researching before I found the right place at a fair price (there are quite a few less expensive providers, but they didn't meet all my other criteria) and decided to give it a shot.

It certainly isn't cheap but, as you stated, when you do the math on waxing over time, it's not too bad a deal.

They prescribed me numbing cream for future treatments at higher voltages, but since the first is the lowest/mildest, I'll see how I do without it the first time. Having waxed for a while I think I've built up a bit of a pain tolerance but you never know lol. They also said that if it got to be too painful they can always go more slowly (or more quickly) or use ice packs, and that I should then definitely use the cream for the next treatment.

Thanks again everyone for your input and opinions - and Nestle, I think fire_breeze's answer was spot on so I'll just agree with her! xD Have a great evening all, and thanks again!

 

[sillypanda]

I'm happy to relay that I survived today's experience, and honestly it was LESS PAINFUL THAN WAXING! However, in future visits the intensity is turned up so it may be more painful. I think I will go numb next time.

Also, I asked the nurse practitioner (yes, it was a nurse practitioner doing the treatment!) about leaving hair, and she said the first few visits really thin out the hair more than eliminate it, and she recommended zapping everything (which I did) and then deciding on future visits whether or not to leave some hair.

Just thought I'd pass this along for anyone else who is considering the process! I'm amazed at how quickly it went and how little (relatively speaking) it hurt! Makes me want to do my legs too... xD