Hair down THERE??

[zoompastmykids]

OK I've been dying to talk to female cyclists about this so I'm just gonna go ahead and do it here.

Since riding long distances I've had several problems down there. Bumps and boils in the band of my underwear. So I made the move to cycling shorts and going underwear-less. OK! I didn't want to do it. My but is unattractive but I decided my comfort was more important than whether I felt I looked good on my bike.

Recently I had other issues. An ingrown hair and boil where my pubic hair is. So.... I just shaved everything. The boil and ingrown hair healed almost overnight. It's definitely much better. A dream compared to the trouble I was having. Now I'm just having to get use to shaving a new area every day (because it seems once you make the jump to shaving you have to be committed: re-growth is uncomfortable) and the occasional razor burn in such a sensitive area.

I've never gone so drastic as a shave before, scissors and close cuts but never shaving.

I'm curious about how common it is for female riders to shave everything.... or am I just the most odd woman on this board. :o Maybe I should have been smarter and started with depilatory creams :)

Other women I know shave their privates but it's usually for their husbands and not for biking! Just curious if shorn pubis are common in biking.

Is there a method someone uses that works without discomfort?

[Biciclista]

I've never had hair issues but a lot of women trim with scissors, you're the first one I've heard about that actually is shaving every day. I wouldn't like that one bit.

[zoompastmykids]

.... you're the first one I've heard about that actually is shaving every day.....


Well now... that certainly makes me feel comfortable. :D

[ny biker]

I can't shave anything every day -- it would cause irritation, even on relatively unsensitive areas on my legs. I shave in the creases once a week, keep things short with scissors otherwise.

Another thing that's important -- wear clean shorts for every ride, change out of them as soon as possible after the ride is done (into clean, dry clothes even if it will be a while before you can shower). I also shower before every long ride. And although I use generally use Dove, I find that real soap is better for the sweaty parts, because it just gets you cleaner.

[zoompastmykids]

everyday. If I didn't shave my legs everyday I wouldn't be able to sleep between the sheets at night. Stubble drives me crazy.

I've been shaving almost a week and it's almost perfectly normal now. All initial abrasion is almost gone tonight.

I do the change shorts, showers, soap bit. I've been getting lots of info from other riders and reading. I just haven't heard or read anything about shaving. I just thought it was the big secret no one talked about because it's an indelicate topic.

I still would like to hear if anyone else out there shaves. Anyone? Anybody? Surely I'm not the only one.

[Grog]

Sorry, I'm part of the "a lot of women" Biciclista refers to. I trim with scissors.

[lph]

Ingrown hairs and boils are very common, so you're certainly not alone there. We've all had our anguished moments on a bike saddle... I find shaving irritates the skin, and I don't have the diligence to do it every day, so I avoid it. But whatever makes you comfortable and works for you!

[nscrbug]

I shave down there, but I don't ride everyday so I can usually get away with doing it every 2 days or so. Most of the time, I'll just do it the day before the weekend because those are my big riding days...and I'm good for those few days.

[Reesha]

Oh man, I could never shave down there regularly. It's just so uncomfortable with all the razor burn and ingrowns and scratchiness. I do however get a full brazilian wax 2-3 times during the summer (totally bare) because it's HOT in St. Louis and they do help me feel a lot 'fresher' down there.

They don't come cheap though. In St. Louis they are between 40-60 bucks. I usually need it once a month. Then you have to take care of the area by gently exfoliating with your fingers, etc. I don't know... I feel like it's worthwhile. I love the way it feels during the hot sticky summer months.

[OakLeaf]

Shaving guarantees me ingrown hairs, bike or no bike. Tweezing and waxing no different. I'm another one who trims with scissors.

[Reesha]

I only tend to get a few with waxing and they usually aren't very painful. Needless to say, I don't worry about it if it's not June, July, or August.

[Crankin]

I go with the waxing, but even that, gives me bumps and irritation, despite going to a very reputable (and expensive) spa to get this done. And, I have to make sure I am not wearing underwear or bike shorts for at least 24 hours after I have it done. This time, it seems my long ride this weekend irritated the area, more in the crease of my legs, and I now am full of irritation.
Good thing is, the waxing lasts at least a month.

[westtexas]

I'm definitely another shave in the creases and trim short with scissors. Shaving is what gives me ingrown hairs and irritation, but the hair in the creases is too hard to trim and it gets caught up otherwise - plus you still have that bikini line for swimwear. I once had a boyfriend I shaved for everywhere and it was the most uncomfortable 6 months of my life.

[jessmarimba]

I've waxed enough over time that the hair is much thinner now than it originally was - I don't generally have a lot of problems. But I don't generally ride much more than 30ish miles at a time, so I can't say what might happen after that.

I'd also suggest that you be very careful about perfumed anything - soaps, powders, whatever. That plus pressure plus sweat can be irritating rather quickly.

[alexis_the_tiny]

The hair nightmare. Good grief. Trimming irritates the hell out of my skin. Shaving is out because I'm clumsy and nicks there hurt. Plus, stubble, omg. Sugaring and tweezing are only marginally better but regrowth is nuts.

If stubble drives you insane, maybe try sugaring and tweezing. And then exfoliate regularly with a scrub. I use the St Ives apricot facial scrub with alpha hydroxy. Its...gentle enough. Maybe you might luck out and the regrowth will get finer each time. The scrub helps regrowth not be so darned itchy and horrible, something about skin hardening over waxed/sugared areas and pushing new hair inwards. I've heard loads of people rave about Tend Skin Solutions to deal with razor burns, ingrown hairs and whatnot. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

[alexis_the_tiny]

The hair nightmare. Good grief. Trimming irritates the hell out of my skin. Shaving is out because I'm clumsy and nicks there hurt. Plus, stubble, omg. Sugaring and tweezing are only marginally better but regrowth is nuts.

If stubble drives you insane, maybe try sugaring and tweezing. And then exfoliate regularly with a scrub. I use the St Ives apricot facial scrub with alpha hydroxy. Its...gentle enough. Maybe you might luck out and the regrowth will get finer each time. The scrub helps regrowth not be so darned itchy and horrible, something about skin hardening over waxed/sugared areas and pushing new hair inwards. I've heard loads of people rave about Tend Skin Solutions to deal with razor burns, ingrown hairs and whatnot. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

[feral1]

I do shave just about every night. I usually leave a "landing strip" down there cause I don't like being totally bare lol.:o

[badger]

I used to shave about once a week (just under the hood, if you know what I mean). The hairs growing out just bugged me, all prickly and itchy, so I started waxing about once every 6-10 weeks. Then I got so sick of ingrown hairs so I just went au naturel again.

I found a great deal on laser hair removal treatments so I bought one for my bikini line and my armpits. I just had it trimmed so none will show through the panty line and it's been great. Don't have to shave/wax/pluck anymore.

[ny biker]

I just thought it was the big secret no one talked about because it's an indelicate topic.

Oh lord. There is no such thing on this forum. Look for a thread called "Delicately wondering." And then there are the diva cup threads...

[indysteel]

I'm definitely another shave in the creases and trim short with scissors. Shaving is what gives me ingrown hairs and irritation, but the hair in the creases is too hard to trim and it gets caught up otherwise - plus you still have that bikini line for swimwear.

^^^This. I will only shave the crease with a fresh razor blade, too. I even sorted out the bikini line part by buying a bathing suit that has boy shorts for bottoms. Not that I just let myself totally go, but I have a hard enough time just keeping up with the the hair on my legs.

[bluebug32]

I find that chamois cream helps with some of the irritation in the leg creases. I just tried Nair for the bikini zone. I did a test patch and it was fine. Then I applied to the area and WOAH! Worst irritation-chemical burn imaginable. I looked like a Light Bright for three days. Now it's back to the razor/trimmer.

[Susan]

I used to shave but stopped because sitting on my bicycle gave me a lot of ingrown hairs and irritation. Now I only shave the bikini line, but this still irritates my skin quite a lot. I found that shaving, but on dry skin with a new blade works best for my skin.
I am considering getting a laser treatment so that I don't have to worry about shaving anymore.

Those of you that suggested waxing - do you really get all the hair done? I imagine that this must REALLY hurt? I didn't even think this was possible because the skin there is so soft.

[Crankin]

I do not get the full "Brazilian," just the creases of the legs... that area. It is painful, for for about ten seconds. Some of the technicians are more adept than others and there are different kinds of wax, etc. that mitigate some of the pain. But, it does hurt. If you are a wimp, I don't recommend it.

[jessmarimba]

I use those home wax kits for bikini areas, which are really just super-sticky tape type pieces. I don't wax everything, just a little beyond bikini lines. Yes, it hurts, but you sort of get used to it. Sometimes I shave instead but I need a pretty new blade to do that.

And I tried Nair once (just on my legs) and no chemical burn but it smelled horrendous and really only took off about half of the hair.

[Pax]

I trim very close with clippers (the haircut type ones), keeps it nice and close with no ingrown hairs or irritation.

[Brandi]

Now I am looking up brazilian waxing. Saw some video on utube (just the facial expressions were videoed) OUCHY!!!!!!!!

[Crankin]

I once had a woman who did my waxing say she told clients that unless you have given birth, you shouldn't try it!

[OakLeaf]

I've done some home waxing in the creases, NBD.

When they waxed my nose hairs during a facial, now THAT hurt. :eek: :eek:

[GLC1968]

I use an epilator type product in the bikini area and then trim the rest. The epilator is cheaper and less messy than wax but it hurts like a mofo, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a pretty high pain threshold.

[Owlie]

I just shave the bikini lines on a near-daily basis and trim the rest with scissors. I must be weird, because while shaving is irritating and may lead to one or two ingrown hairs, if I've been lazy and skipped a day or two, it's far worse.

[soprano]

I just wax it all. Taught myself to do body sugaring and I cook my own sugaring goop, so it is dirt cheap. Quite painful at first but not nearly as bad after that. I went to a salon the very first time and I think that letting someone else do it made it easier to take the plunge.

I've been doing my legs for 14 years now and I've collected about a billion tricks to minimize pain - usually I don't bother over the winter, so the first waxing in the spring is pretty bad.

Things that help with the pain:

Don't wax when you are pre-menstrual, because you will be more sensitive to pain then.
Take some ibuprofin about an hour beforehand.
Or, have a nice big glass of wine.
Watch TV if you can. The distraction helps.
Shower beforehand to get your natural body oils/sebum off the hair, and don't use any lotions before waxing. Oils and lotions make the hair slippery, so it won't pull out, but it will yank hard enough to really hurt.
Experiment with dusting the area with cornstarch just before waxing it. With some methods it helps, but with others it is counterproductive.
Wax as frequently as you can manage. Once a week is far less painful and messy than once a month.
Rip the wax strips off quickly, parallel to the skin, against the direction of hair growth. If you pull at right angles to the skin, it yanks on the hair (ouch!) but won't pull it out. For traditional body sugaring (no strips) pull *in* the direction of growth.
Never ever go back over an area with wax, even if you missed some hair. (OK to do traditional sugaring that doesn't use strips.)
The faster you pull off the strips or sugaring goop, the less it hurts. Really.
If you chicken out, use baby oil to get real wax off your skin, and warm water for sugaring goop.
If it's your first time, take an antihistamine beforehand to help prevent the area from puffing up.
Tucks pads (for hemmoids) take down all kinds of inflammation. They really, really work.

[WindingRoad]

Personally I only do the bikini line. I found some really good wax at Sallys that doesn't require strips so you can get it in all those little weird spots that strips don't like to go. It's a green wax, just heat it, put it on, it hardens and rip it fast. It's not THAT bad especially if u just do the pantyline. I find I have WAY less irritation waxing than shaving.

[zoom-zoom]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this, yet:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41loHAFh0vL._SS500_.jpg

It's like $2/can and works like a charm (it's a powder that you mix with water to your desired consistency--kinda like Neet, but way cheaper). My friends and I call it "brazilian in a can." The only downside is that regrowth is painful for cycling (this is true of any regrowth, though). I'm starting to think that I need to just do a landing strip and paint this stuff on the bikini area. But it's so much easier to slap it on all the hair.

Someday I may go the permanent hair removal route. I think a LOT of my saddle issues this Spring were actually hair-related, since they started in earnest not long after "Magic Powdering" my hooha. It's like the hair directly in contact with the most sensitive areas needs to be at least a quarter of an inch long or it's like sandpaper...ow!

[badger]

my first foray into Brazilian was done by a technician and she ripped the fold between my labia. Seriously. It bled and bled and she said "oh, I don't know what happened". pfft. I didn't really, either, until I left and went straight to the walk in clinic where I was told that it's a tear but it's straight and because of where it was, it's moist and will just heal back together without stitches. I was choked that I paid $80 (and I even tipped her!) for that kind of abuse.

After that, I did them myself. It does hurt, and it's messy and not fun, but it's far cheaper than getting someone else to do it.

Again, I can't give kudos enough to laser. It's great not having to do anything down there other than trimming the length of the remaining hair.

I would love to get my legs lasered, but for now I'll just keep epilating them.

[nscrbug]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this, yet:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41loHAFh0vL._SS500_.jpg

It's like $2/can and works like a charm (it's a powder that you mix with water to your desired consistency--kinda like Neet, but way cheaper). My friends and I call it "brazilian in a can." The only downside is that regrowth is painful for cycling (this is true of any regrowth, though). I'm starting to think that I need to just do a landing strip and paint this stuff on the bikini area. But it's so much easier to slap it on all the hair.

Someday I may go the permanent hair removal route. I think a LOT of my saddle issues this Spring were actually hair-related, since they started in earnest not long after "Magic Powdering" my hooha. It's like the hair directly in contact with the most sensitive areas needs to be at least a quarter of an inch long or it's like sandpaper...ow!

Ok...I'm intrigued...since I am a shaver. So what is the deal with this stuff? How does it differ from normal shave creams? I currently use Aveeno Simply Smooth shave cream and I like it, but I still will get bumps and a bit of inflammation post-shave. Where would I find this Magic powder stuff? And what is so special in it that it says it's "formulated for Black Men"? Not that it makes a difference...I'm just curious.

Linda

[OakLeaf]

Coarse, curly hair has a tendency to become ingrown, especially on thin or soft skin. Black men's chins and women's hoo-has have that in common ...

[Owlie]

Linda, I think it's just a chemical depilatory, like Nair, but you can vary the consistency yourself. And it's probably stronger than the stuff that you'd normally buy, because of the difference in hair texture/thickness.

[shootingstar]

Am beginning to feel abnormal here. :o

I don't ride with chamois ....I haven't. And I've done long rides 100+ kms. several times. I haven't cycled with chamois for past...18 yrs. I've done decent mileage. Some years I piled in 7,000-9,000 kms. annually.

I don't do the stuff down there.
Well, I don't know how to swim.
But really I don't have a problem. I think I've been frozen in time after I turned 30-35.

But then I don't need to shave 'pits and legs. I'm getting hairless as I age. (Thank you mother for this hereditary trait!)

[nscrbug]

Linda, I think it's just a chemical depilatory, like Nair, but you can vary the consistency yourself. And it's probably stronger than the stuff that you'd normally buy, because of the difference in hair texture/thickness.

Hmmm...still a bit confused. I see that it does say depilatory on the front of the container, but it also refers to it as a "shaving powder", so do you still use a razor with it? :confused:

[Owlie]

It seems like Nair in powder form--mix up, apply, scrape off. The little Google search I did seems to turn up "doesn't require a razor"

[OakLeaf]

There's a wonderful Lebanese movie called "Caramel," centered around women who work in a salon.

I haven't made caramel in so long I'd be a little afraid to try it. I don't even think I have a candy thermometer any more.

[Owlie]

I'm sure there's a joke about sugaring one's nethers...

[zoom-zoom]

Hmmm...still a bit confused. I see that it does say depilatory on the front of the container, but it also refers to it as a "shaving powder", so do you still use a razor with it? :confused:

Nope, you'd use it like other depilatory creams--apply, leave it on a bit, then scrape it off. I actually have a Pampered Chef pan scraper that I keep in the shower for this purpose.

It's dirt cheap and I find it more effective than the $$ products marketed toward women.

[Chicken Little]

Is anyone besides be just a little freaked out at the extent people are going to with this hair removal stuff? I'm feeling like a few people are a little over the top. We are adult women, ya know?

I'm going to catch it for this, I know.

[lph]

well... who's "people"?
there are about a gazillion women on this board, a lot of us have at some point had some problems with hair and bike riding, so the chances are pretty enormous that a thread asking if anyone shaves off everything would get answers from the people who do do exactly that. While the ones who can't be bothered are busy biking and writing about other things... ;)

[Susan]

Never judge people if you aren't in their shoes....
Thanks to my eastern ancestors (probably) if I wouldn't remove most of my body hair I could work as a circus attraction. ;)
This may be hard to understand for people who are (more) hairless themselves. I am a grown up woman, but I am also embarrassed if everybody at the pool is staring ;)
People are judging very easily. I read this "but you are grown up women" thing often - and then hear the comments on women who don't shave their legs, armpits, and bikini line. I even got comments because I don't shave my arms.

[Crankin]

I guess I never realized that so many people do the full Brazilian. I don't like the look of hair sticking out of the bikini line and that is the only reason I have used various methods of hair removal. It doesn't seem like hair bothers my cycling, but the removal does irritate me enough that I can't wear cycling shorts or any other types of clothing that are tight for at least a day after I wax.
I am pretty hairy, everywhere, and thankful that I am blonde in most of the places, so when it grows back, it's not so noticeable.

[PamNY]

well... who's "people"?
there are about a gazillion women on this board, a lot of us have at some point had some problems with hair and bike riding, so the chances are pretty enormous that a thread asking if anyone shaves off everything would get answers from the people who do do exactly that. While the ones who can't be bothered are busy biking and writing about other things... ;)

This. Threads like this tell you nothing about an overall population; they do tell you something about people who replied on the thread.

And -- surprise! -- it's likely people who do hair removal are going to reply to a question about hair removal.

[Karma007]

I'm a Brazillian girl myself, for most of the year. Not a huge fan of the look, but the comfort makes it worth while.

[emily_in_nc]

Is anyone besides be just a little freaked out at the extent people are going to with this hair removal stuff?

Yes. :eek:

I have very low pain tolerance, so I just keep the bikini line shaved for wearing swim suits. I am lucky, though, not to be nearly as hairy as I know some women are, so I am able to stay low-maintenance, thank goodness!

[zoompastmykids]

OK. Wow. I had no idea this topic would garner such response. Actually I thought a few would say "Nope, never done that." and it'd be over.

But now, after many days, I've logged back in and read my post and answers and the kids thought they'd have to resuscitate me when they walked in and I was ROTF LMBO. I had tears in my eyes, holding my breath, my face was red, silent screams of laughter formed my mouth into a grimace.

".... I'm sure there's a joke about sugaring one's nethers."

"... unless you've given birth I wouldn't try it."

"... Men's black chins and women's hoohaas have that in common."

"I haven't made caramel in so long I'd be a little afraid to try it. I don't even think I have a candy thermometer any more."

I've enjoyed quite a laugh. Sorry to have agitated a thread for Chicken Little. But I was really curious. I can't even remember now the 'moment' that spurred me to think that shaving it all was the right thing.

But you'll all be happy to know it's been almost two weeks now and I'm hairless and quite happy. No pain anymore, no discomfort and all the re-growth is soft. I have black hair and it grows quickly so this works for me. If I'd known this would be this easy I'd have done it ages ago. But my legs after every shave feel like a babies but. So I'm lucky that way I guess. Once my skin gets use to it it seems natural to do it.

Thanks for the posts. It was great to get the information.

[Miranda]

OP... glad to hear you got your situation worked out.

Just couple products to add to the thread...

One thing nice about this is that it's translucent... thus you can see what you are shaving...
http://www.bikinizone.com/anti-bumps-shave-gel.shtml

Great for after shaving... but it does sting initially on contact since it contains the drug lidocaine... well it does me anyway... but drastically improves the bumps situation imo/e...
http://www.bikinizone.com/medicated-after-shave-gel.shtml

[Tokie]

I have to use "Tend Skin" or "PFB Vanish" after waxing to help prevent ingrown hairs. My dermatologist recommended the PFB Vanish and using an antibacterial soap in my chamois areas to help prevent saddle sores. I have friends who use clippers instead. I was being cheap and shaving, but got more irritation/pimple-y breakouts. I think a really new/sharp blade is important if you are waxing. tokie

[andtckrtoo]

everyday. If I didn't shave my legs everyday I wouldn't be able to sleep between the sheets at night. Stubble drives me crazy.

I shave my legs daily. I shave that area daily as well, too, but not totally - I have a strip of hair there. I'm another who cannot stand the feel of stubble. :P

[emily_in_nc]

I'm waiting for the Diva Cup to make an entrance ;)

It just did. :D

[OakLeaf]

I'm waiting for the Diva Cup to make an entrance ;)

Okay, hair in the Diva Cup is maybe even too much for TE. :cool:

[jessmarimba]

We need the little ear-covering icon right about now...

lalalalala can't hear you.....

[hulagirl]

;) Ahh but the Mooncup UK is SO much better than the Diva. ;)

I'll just add a big thumbs up for Hoo Haa Ride Glide. That stuff is awesome. Tingly and special in the southern parts. :p

[bunny_ninja]

omg! hair in the diva cup!!! :eek:

FWIW - I use a 'bikini trimmer' - keep everything very short. easy and none of the shaving issues. If I am going on a really long ride - I slather it up with ointment :)

and omg - I tried wearing underwear so I could wear the same shorts on my 25mi to work and 25mi back home... woh! I cannot believe people tolerate that.

[redeyedtreefr0g]

K I'm gonna pretend I did not just read the last few posts, and jump in about my brand new epilator.

IT"S AMAZING!!!!

I've never epilated before, but I've been interested ever since I read about them. (My Keeper/Mooncup was such an awesome discovery, surely an epilator would be similarly wonderful) Previously, all I've ever done for hair removal was shave. I didn't know there WERE other options for the longest time. My sister tried Nair once on her legs when it came out- horrible chemical burns. I eventually learned to tweeze my eyebrows. Once tried to tweeze bikini line- after an hour I had a neck cramp and it looked like I hadn't done anything at all so I gave that up in a hurry- plus it hurt a lot.

Still, I knew I wanted to try an epilator, so my husband finally bought me one. Philips Satinelle 6401- a simple grey/white machine, has a very long cord and must be plugged in to work.

I did my legs first from ankle to knee. I took a shower beforehand like recommended. Above my ankle turned out to be the most sensitive area, and also has the highest concentration of hairs. Like tiny little bees stinging me- but as soon as I lift up the epilator, it's instant relief, so I just went slowly as was fine. My legs didn't turn red or get painful bumps. They didn't feel completely smooth either, but they LOOKED fantastic, so I'm happy.

After going back to work (I epilated at about noonish) I changed out of my skinny jeans to find red legs that were slightly painful to the touch like razor burn. Sleeping fixed most of that, and by noon the next day all was well.

During my shower on leg-epilating day, I also shaved underarms and pubic area. After a few days, I have just finished doing those areas! I did NOT shower before using the epilator this time. While it may make things easier on your skin by opening up pores, I also feel that the hot water weakens the hair and makes it easier to break it off rather than pull it out.

Underarms were interesting. Because of sweat glands, it was difficult to move the epilator smoothly without it sticking to me. I've since read that baby or talcum powder would help that, but I simply removed the efficiancy cap with it's wide flat area and let the rotating of the disks sort of gently "pull" the epilator along smoothly. Again, I went slowly, but I think my ankles hurt worse than this. Maybe I just knew what to expect. Some of the lower pores bled a teeny bit. The vibration of the epilator itself I think helped with pain a little bit too.

After underarms (which did not hurt at all once I was done), I went to the pubic area. My goal was to do all the visible hair- so the entire triangle down to about the start of the labia crease. I found the edges to be no problem, although each side of the triangle up toward the hip bled a lot. The hairs are a LOT longer than they would seem, with most of the length under the skin, apparently. I was surprised. The center top of the triangle was most sensitive, I think, but near the edge of the labia was the most difficult. The hair there is very fine and hard to see, but packed in close, and that skin is softer. It was easier to do the left side of myself than the right, for some reason.

After I was all done, I realized it had been about an hour and a half, and my neck was sore from looking down for that long. I hopped in the shower. The water stung my underarms, and then of course when I washed that stung the beejeesus out of them, but I wanted to be sure things were clean since I'd just put a whole bunch of tiny open wounds in myself, right? Pubic area didn't care about anything.

Now I'm sitting here, and underarms sort of sting still. It had gotten bad enough that I went and put cocoa butter on them, but now it seems to be okay. Pubic area is wonderfully silent as far as irritation complaints go. I've got on silky smooth boyshorts just in case.


I'm SO happy with this little machine!!

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! But drawing blood? :eek:

Just thinking about an epilator gives me the heebie-jeebies, and this only makes it worse. I think I'll stick to shaving.

Different strokes, eh? :o

[OakLeaf]

I'm more curious about the aftermath. Did you wind up with ingrown hairs and/or infected follicles? If not, did you have those problems in the past with tweezing and/or shaving? I've pretty much given up on hair removal in the bikini area ... and the older I get, the less I want to wear a bikini anyway, so no big loss. :rolleyes:

[Helene2013]

I did not know about this thread before tonight. :)

As for me, I can't shave it all. Too irritating when it grows back, not to mention the ingrown and bumps it was creating. Which I'd scratch until it was bleeding! I could not sit or walk normally because of itching. I used to use Nair everywhere (thanks to Vaseline to protect what needed protection, etc. Nair was awesome. Left everything smooth. But it is riskier. So one day I took the plunge and went for intense pulsed light treatments. I started with my underarms to see if it would work since I am blondier than black (and IPL is not that great on blonde hair). It worked for that, so I went for 1/2 legs. Worked. Why not try bikini now. Well bikini was not enough and I asked to have it done all the way to the big lips. It's been 5 treatments (I always stop from May-Sept not to be exposed to sun (and pool chlorine, etc.) and half of hair is gone. Starting a next round in 2 weeks. In that so sensitive part of the body, I can tell you I do not like the zapping at all. Even if I she cools the area before each zap. Every zap I jerk (from short quick pain). I sweat and I'm glad the 10 minute is over for another 6-8 weeks. I hope to be done in another 4-6 sessions. For my underarms and legs I only need a quick wax every 4-6 weeks and nothing really shows much. It is sooo light I only notice. My husband sees nothing. Best investment I did on me (beside breast reduction but that is another topic. haha)

[redeyedtreefr0g]

So far, no ingrown hairs yet, but it might be too early to tell- I think hairs take 2 weeks to grow back?

Interesting development regarding my legs- the sudden snap of cold weather means my skin has reacted badly by drying out extremely fast. Finger creases are cracking, and I have white-alligator ankles. The tight skin on shins and ankles feels.... weird. Not painful, but noticeable. I'm wondering if it's a goosebump feeling from being cold, only there aren't hairs to do the goosebump-thing with.

Anyway, I still love my little RRRR machine so far.