shaving below the belt - Sexual Health - Teens Message Board

punkchic19 · 10-03-2005, 12:41 AM

ok well im very unconfortable with my body and my lower area im very self concious, i really want to shave but i duno how or what to do. i mean i know you just shave but i wanna do it the right way, what is the right way?

lex jude · 10-03-2005, 02:27 AM

Oh man....I understand your position, but even just remembering the last time I shaved my pubic area makes mr cringe. Don't get me wrong, I love to be neat and clean there, but the act of shaving brings problems, like irritated skin, ingrown hairs and nicks and cuts (if you aren't careful)

My suggestion would be to use a waxing kit, or better yet, that special nair product for the bikini area. (If you aren't allergic to it) It leaves you smooth longer and you don't get any bumps or ingrown hairs

If you really want to shave, then here are some tips.

- get a triple bladed razor and shaving cream for sensitive skin

- If you are reallylong down there, trim with a pair of small scissors first

- make sure you soak yourarea in hot/warm water for about ten minutes to "prep" the skin for shaving

- when shaving, use short strokes, and prop your leg up on the tub (don't slip!) over a mirror if it helps...or enlist in help! lol

- Apply lotion that is free of fragrences and made for sensitive skin as soon as you dry off. Repeat this every day until your next shaving

If you get any bumps or ingrown hairs, don't pick at them! Apply hot compresses instead (that's what i'va always heard anyways)

Good luck!

punkchic19 · 10-04-2005, 09:47 PM

please i really need to know, any info helps even if it is the same as someone elses

Smoothie_Guy · 10-05-2005, 09:23 AM

Hi Punkchic19! As you can probably tell by my name, I am no novice when it comes to this. I can honestly tell you that the previous posters advice is some of the best I've read on this topic. Definitely invest in a quality razor, it makes a big difference than the cheapo disposables. If you have never trimmed or shaved there before, definitely trim it down first. Scissors will take a bit longer, but it is a good method. A faster one is to use a set of hair clippers with a safety guide, or a beard/mustache/bikini line trimmer. I don't know if you are a bath or shower kind of girl, but whichever your preference, go ahead with it as normal...the hair will absorb a lot of moisture, "plumping" it up if you will, making the shaving much easier. Another investment is a quality gel/cream/foam. You will need to find one that works well for you. ANyone can make suggestions on brands, but I will simply say that it should be moisturizing. If you have ever had any kind of skin reaction, then hypoallergenic as well. Now, there is some debate about ingrowns and razor burn...some will say it is guaranteed to happen when you first start, I am here to tell you from personal experience, it didn't to me. Not guaranteed anyways. Over time, it has happened occasionally, but not all the time, so don't actually let that scare you until you know how it will work for you. Shave with the growth direction of the hair, and perhaps laterally to the growth. Until your skin is used to being shaved, DON'T go against the growth! After a month or so, your skin should get accustomed to being shaved and you can try different directions depending on how smooth you want to go. Finally...MOISTURIZE the area well. A good lotion that doesn't have mineral oil in it...as that stuff will dry your skin...is what I suggest. When your done with your shave, and you are about to dry off, try patting the area dry instead of rubbing, then apply the lotion. That's about all I can think of right now. Should you develop an ingrown or soemthing, hot compresses are good, you can also use a cortisone cream for it, or a product called TendSkin, which you can Google to find out more on.

Best of luck!

Dani Girl 78 · 10-05-2005, 09:55 PM

I just shave, plain and simple. I use my husbands razor (double) and shave gel. I rarely get razor burn and I have only nicked myself a couple of times. I don't know if you want down there totally clean or just touched up, just becareful in special places...lol. I have tried the Nair and it never works for me, also tried the wax kits and no good. One thing is make sure that the blade is sharp and lex jude gave you alot of good info. I say just relax and do it.