Summer Tips for your Bikini Area
Most people enjoy the summer and all that comes with it including the ability to wear a bathing suit, going swimming, and being free of a sweater or overthrow. Yet, the summer can be really uncomfortable for people with skin irritations or sensitive skin because they have to shave, making their skin irritated, red, and full of bumps..
The main concern for most clients during the summer is the bikini crease area from the hip bone to the groin area. With the exception of summer, often clients will let this area be free to grow during the rest of the year. Right now, my “mom” clients are visiting me. They only remove their hair when they go swimming once per year so they only sugar during the summer when they need to clean up their bikini line. This type of regimen allows some clients to be free of skin irritation all year long in an area that rubs, chubs, sweats, and stinks.
Here are four tips and tricks to support your bikini area skin and hair health.
Give your skin and hair a break from wearing leggings, shorts, and jeans. Over the last few years, I have noticed many women's skin are red and irritated. When I ask if they wear leggings a lot, they often say yes. You need to give yourself a break from leggings because the constant rubbing of cloth on skin can make the bikini area crease red and become irritated, and even cause in-growns due to bacteria getting stuck in skin and hair including sweat. It’s important to try to wear loose clothing every once in a while, even if it’s to bed once a week, and be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the area when you shower, especially after a workout.
Make sure a panty liner or pad is not causing irritation on the sides of your crease and/or on your vulva. After seeing clients for a while, I notice skin changes including redness, dryness, moistness, tears, or rashes. For example, I have asked clients if they scratch themselves at night and they say “probably.” Another example is sometimes a certain part of a person's genetilia can be red. After asking my clients questions and they answer accordingly, I tell them their pad or panty liner is bothering them. They say, oh, I wear them all the time, or a client will say, “ I am having women’s reproductive health issues or I have been bleeding for a long time.” Together we come to the conclusion that it is possible their pad has been bothering them. Imagine wearing a pad and leggings, 24/7 in the summer? Try wearing cotton panties and some cotton fitted boxers or cotton material layered instead. If a pad or panty liner is necessary, let it blow in the wind with cotton. Air gives the body the ability to stay dry without being suffocated by polyester and sweat, or just being too close.
Start listening to your body. Can you tell when you are going to get an in-grown? Can you feel it creeping up? Have you ever correlated the location of your in-grown or pimple with your cycle and hormone changes? Recently, I got two horrible in-growns right before my cycle was to start. My cycle was a little off and I believe it caused two horrible in-growns on my lower crease area. They sucked and I had to ride it out. Paying attention to the little hints your body, mind, skin, and hair are telling you will help you prevent unnecessary skin and hair issues in the future.
Find a routine that works for you. This routine may be putting lotion by the bed and putting lotion on your body right before you sleep. Another example is trying a different soap. Maybe a soap with a chemical exfoliant in it like salicylic acid, which helps remove dead skin cells and debris. It can also help decrease pimples from forming and speed healing (learn more at: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-18-193/salicylic-acid-topical/salicylic-acid-for-acne-topical/details). Maybe you need something more hydrating. Hyaluronic acid in your wash may be just enough without the lotion feeling. A client came in recently and I told them their skin looked great and asked what they were doing differently. They mentioned they were using the new Olay Hyaluronic Acid body wash with Vitamin B3. I was pleasantly surprised, and cheered the client on. Hyaluronic acid is what humans make in the body. Enhancing your own supple skin needs with a topical product can be liberating and make your skin feel smooth and hydrated. A variety of products come with hyaluronic acid that you can put on your skin such as shampoos, lotions, creams, gels, ointments, patches, and serums. It’s even a common ingredient used for gels, creams, or lubricants for intimate contact to help with vaginal dryness, or pain, especially when women are in menopause. (Read more about Hyaluronic Acid at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22915-hyaluronic-acid.)
Find a way to start listening to what your skin is telling you, and where. Examine yourself by touching your skin. For women, the biggest area of concern is usually the bikini area. It is important to deal with any uncertainties versus ignoring them. As your Sugar Hair Removal professional, I will support you by helping you find the sweet side of healthy skin by becoming more aware of your skin concerns, needs, and wants. I hope implementing these summer tips for your bikini area help you feel healthier and more confident during these hot summer months.