Spring break season is officially upon us, and people all around the country are heading south to celebrate time off from school. So you’ve got your bikini bod and you’ve packed your sunscreen, but what about your hair down there? Though we evolved with pubic hair to protect our nether regions, they’ve become quite a hassle for many women on vacation that prefer a smooth, hairless look down there.
Luckily, there are several solutions for ridding yourself of your hair down there just in time for spring break season.
The most common way that people remove hair is through shaving, but with shaving comes the risk of razor burn, irritated skin, and a potentially painful condition called folliculitis. Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicles that can result from bacteria. For those who shave, I always recommend trimming the hair first. You want to make sure to clean the area with a gentle cleanser to decrease the risk of introducing bacteria into your skin. After that, use a natural shaving cream or gel (bonus points if it contains aloe Vera) and shave in the direction of your hair growth. If you find that you are prone to razor bumps or folliculitis, it’s a good idea to get a prescription antibiotic to use after shaving. By applying the antibiotic right after shaving you will decrease inflammation and bacteria.
The next most common method of hair removal down below is waxing. Your two options are either a Brazilian wax or a bikini wax. As the name indicates, the bikini wax removes hair from the bikini line, whereas the Brazilian wax removes everything — unless you’re uncomfortable being completely bare, in which case you can request a small, neat strip or patch is left. When getting a wax, it’s important to visit a clean facility you trust with a licensed, experienced practitioner that uses fresh wax (and fresh strips if their methodology involves them). Some people are allergic to wax. I often recommend a test area prior to opting for a large treatment.
If you have extremely sensitive skin that is prone to razor bumps and irritation, you may want to dry a depilatory cream. This is a cream that removes hair from its root. It is usually applied to the skin for about 3 minutes and then washed off using a wash cloth. Brands I like are Nair sensitive skin formula. By removing hair in this fashion you are less likely to get razor bumps.
What if you are prone to ingrown hairs? Women with curly or coarse hair down there are more likely to experience ingrown hairs. This happens with the curly hair bends back on itself and gets stuck under the skin instead of growing out normally after the hair removal process. The best way to avoid this painful problem is to avoid non-permanent forms of hair removal. If you can’t avoid hair removal opt for depilatories or better yet, laser hair removal.
The most permanent (and expensive) solution to hair down there is laser hair removal, which destroys hair follicles over a period of time that requires several treatments. I can’t stress enough how important it is to seek treatment at a reputable clinic. Laser hair removal is not a one size fits all procedure. Different lasers must be used depending your skin type and skin color. I can’t tell you how many injuries I have seen secondary to botched laser hair procedures, including burns and permanent hyperpigmentation. When it comes to laser hair removal cheaper is not better.
There are options for every spring breaker; what it comes down to is largely pain tolerance and price point. But if you’re mindful, you can have a carefree hair-free spring break on any budget.