Grooming hair down there

Hi, Rissa!    

I just want to ask if it’s necessary for a woman to remove her pubic hair along her bikini line. My friends told me that it would be hygienic if I do so, but I am scared that my bikini line would turn dark. I tried shaving it before and I didn’t like the effect. I also tried waxing it all by myself lately and it really hurt so bad. What should I do? I don’t  have money for laser treatment. I am pressured and confused.  Help!! 

pressured college student  

Attitudes about grooming our pubic hair have changed over the past few years. Attention to this area has become as basic as keeping your nails trimmed and your eyebrows well-groomed. To make a good decision, I feel it should be a well-informed one. It’s best you first weigh the pros and cons of shaving and waxing so you can consider other alternatives. 

Shaving the bikini line allows a razor to cut the hair at the skin’s surface. The tools are simple — good quality razors and shaving cream. The pros? It’s quick, inexpensive, and relatively easy to do at home. But it doesn’t last too long (one to three days), stubbles reappear quickly, there are possibilities of nicks and cuts if you shave too closely. It can also cause bumps and ingrown hairs in the bikini area. Lastly, some women complain of itching as the hair grows back in. The key is to drench the skin with water and use a moisture-rich shaving cream. This preparation is a must, as the hair in the bikini area tends to be thicker, denser, and curlier, making it more difficult to cut. Handle the skin in the bikini area gently — skin here is thin and tender. Shave horizontally, from the outside to the inside of the upper thigh and groin area, using smooth, even strokes. And to reduce the possibility of ingrowns, always shave in the same direction of hair growth. Shaving backwards can irritate the hair follicle. Keep in mind that skin is most sensitive after shaving, so let skin rest for 30 minutes before applying lotions, moisturizers, medications or going swimming. Gillette and Schick razors are very user-friendly, and do an excellent job no matter where you shave (available in all leading supermarkets, department stores, and personal care stores). To lessen irritation, equip yourself with an after-shave serum that will help soothe the area after shaving. 

Waxing isn’t the only way to remove hair down there, but it’s the most popular because it produces the cleanest and most long-lasting results. Waxing is the application of a sticky resin that binds to hair, which is then pulled out at the root. The bikini area responds really well to waxing and you’ll be amazed at how much less hair comes back in the weeks following. Sometimes, only about 1/3 as much hair grows back after waxing. The downside is it can cause some pain and soreness, and it costs more than shaving, whether done at home or professionally.

Waxing tends to remove a layer of skin along with the hair. If you’re doing it at home, try Andrea Surgi-Wax (available at Rustan’s Essenses). You can also try Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit (available in all leading supermarkets, department stores, and personal care stores). I know you’ve tried waxing on your own, but for first-timers, it’s really best you have it first done professionally before trying it on your own. There are two salons that do a really clean and practically painless job: Visage Salon (located at Shopwise Libis, tel. no. 635-0355, ask for Rica or Ica) and the favorite of many of my co-models Brazilian Bare (located at the 5th floor of Rustan’s Makati). 

At the end of the day, I don’t think you should be pressured to do something you aren’t comfortable with. I know some women who don’t feel the need to shave or wax because they have thin and fine pubic hair, and aren’t very bushy down there. If you feel all is clean and tidy down below, and there are no unsightly hairs peeking out when you’re in a bikini, then don’t feel pressured to wax or shave. When not done properly, waxing or shaving can irritate the skin, and when skin is irritated, it tends to darken. But the benefits of shaving or waxing when wearing a swimsuit are obvious, while some women simply appreciate the way they look in their underwear with some of the hair removed. 

I think the best option for you is trimming. We really don’t need our pubic hair to be as long as it naturally grows, and trimming the hair down to a shorter length is an excellent alternative. It’s a simple procedure that can really improve things. All you need are a comb and pair of scissors. Electric hair clippers can also be used. The idea is to trim the hair short but not down to the skin. A good length is between 1/4" and 1/2". Trimming eliminates any worries about ingrown hair that results from hair removal because the hair isn’t being removed. Since trimming merely snips off extra pubic hair, there are also no worries that this procedure will irritate your skin or cause nicks and cuts. The short length keeps the area neat and well-kept. The only drawback of trimming is that it takes a little practice to be able to get it even. But even if you mess up, don’t worry because the hair will grow back.

Rissa

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It’s The Pits With Dark Underarms

Dear Lucy,

Please, please help me with my armpits. They are dark and ugly. I do not have chicken skin, but it is undoubtedly darker than the rest of me. I am very conscious about it. I also have little bumps on the back of my arms. The dermatologist said they are just tiny bumps that appear and disappear depending on my stress level. I am to avoid scrubs and scented soaps. What soap should I use that is natural but moisturizing?

Celianna

The most effective whitening deodorant there is is Mistine White Spa deodorant. Not only does it whiten, it also smoothens.

Another cool new product I chanced upon is Mucca Muu. A friend of mine uses it — she just gave birth and her armpits became dark. Mucca Muu is a whitening and deodorizing underarm makeup that comes in a pressed powder form. It does for the armpits what foundation does for the face, making the skin look even and smooth instantly. It covers imperfections and my friend says that the best thing about it is it does not crease. It has a deodorizing and antiperspirant property, and comes in two shades.

Both Mistine and Mucca Muu are available at Watsons.

For your skin, I suggest you use a mild, unscented, soaplike Oilatum or Cetaphil. Both are readily available at Mercury Drug.

Lucy

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.