Boil/Saddle Sore on bikini line

[bboston88]

Yes, a bit too much TMI. I keep getting these. Usually I can use boil ointment and it will eventually go away. But I'm sick of getting them. It's right where I shave. Question...does waxing help with the irritation in that area? Better than shaving?

Thanks for any input on this lovely topic

[Aquila]

I've heard that shaving is irritating and can lead to ingrown hairs and sores, so after one sore, I gave up shaving. And none since.

But I don't know about waxing, and your preferences about hair are important, too. Some people talk about trimming the hair rather than shaving, and say that helps.

Good luck; I hope your sore clears up quickly.

[OakLeaf]

I'm very prone to ingrown hairs and since I'm not a swimmer, I just leave the hair. Shaving vs. waxing vs. tweezing doesn't seem to make any difference.

If I have to go to a pool party or something, if I slather the area with alcohol gel 2-3 times a day, it usually keeps everything from getting infected until the hairs grow back out again.

Any hair that comes between me and my saddle gets trimmed so it doesn't chafe and mat when I ride.

Great, something else to make me think twice about trying triathlon.

[badger]

I find waxing worse. I get ingrown hairs all the time so I just stopped, it wasn't worth it.

why don't you just rub tea tree oil on the area every day as a prevention/treatment to boils? I find tea tree oil to be very effective.

[gnat23]

As an aside, anyone tried laser hair removal and have any advice? I'm sick of waxing/shaving/etc.

-- gnat!

[katluvr]

Yeah, I thought about lasar....but w/ the running and biking...when would I have time for it not to be irritated?

I use body glide in that area to help w/ the chaffing and sometimes helps w/ ingrown hairs. I try to "shave" the day before a "day off" so I don't have bike shorts or running tights "rubbing". Nothing really works, but it helps some.

Just don't unstand why one needs "sideburns" in the inner thighs? What cruel design was this??!!!

Since I live in Florida AND have a pool I have to deal w/ this alot!!! Yes, then you add swimming for a tri. There is no escape!!!

[indysteel]

Is the saddle sore/irritation from shaving or does it just happen to be in that area? I've had good luck treating saddle sores with acne cream. As for ingrown hairs and the like, I tend to just let nature take its course because it seems the more I do, the less comfortable I am on the bike. Granted, I don't really swim, so it's not a huge issue. When I do a bit of clean up, I make sure to soak in the tub for a bit first and then use a new razor.

I bought a product some time ago from Sephora's online site that was designed to treat ingrown hairs. You might do a search, although tea tree oil could work, too.

[Veronica]

Great, something else to make me think twice about trying triathlon.

Tri shorts cover up your bikini area. You could get some cheap ones for use in the pool since chlorine breaks the material down pretty fast.


Veronica