How to Shave Your Bikini Line

Want to avoid getting pubic area razor burn, skin irritation and ingrown hairs? Learn how to shave your pubic hair the right way with these essential tips.

Woman shaving her bikini line with a razor

Want to avoid getting razor burn, skin irritation and ingrown hairs when shaving your bikini line? Learn to shave this pubic hair area the right way with these essential tips. If you’ve ever shaved your bikini line, you may be familiar with some of the common after effects: razor burn, inflamed skin, ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Knowing how to shave your bikini line properly will minimize these occurrences. Here are essential tips for shaving pubic hair.

Choose the right bikini shaving tools

Blue and white razor with a 2 bladed square razor head

If your pubic hair is a little on the long side, you want to trim it first before you use a razor. You can invest in a bikini trimmer, electric shaver or use a pair of scissors to trim the hair around your bikini line. Then select a razor to finish the job.

Use a sharp razor blade

Detached 2 bladed razor head

You don’t want to use a dull razor blade when shaving any area of your body, particularly your bikini line. Replace your razor blade regularly — especially if it starts to pull at your hair, feels rough on your skin or if you notice you’re itching after shaving more than normal. Using dull blades can actually increase chances of skin irritation. Depending how frequently you shave, a razor blade can last five to 10 shaves before you need a new one.

Hydrate your skin

Woman shaving her bikini line

Soak your bikini line in warm water via a bath or shower for at least five minutes. This helps to hydrate both your skin and your hairs, making them easier to cut.

Try exfoliating

Woman applying product to her bikini area

Once you fully hydrate, consider exfoliating the skin around your pubic area. Use a loofa or gentle scrub and lightly rub along your bikini line to remove any lose dead skin and hairs. Exfoliation helps to reduce skin irritation from shaving.

Lather on shaving gel

Woman applying product to her bikini area

Using shaving gel is important, especially on more sensitive skin like your bikini line. Shaving gel helps the blade glide more easily across the skin, minimizing chances of razor burn and irritation. Reapply if it washes away during shaving.

Shave lightly with steady strokes

Woman shaving her bikini line

Using steady strokes, very lightly shave your bikini line in the direction of the hair growth. You do not have to apply much pressure on your razor. In fact, if you have a sharp blade, it should do most of the work for you.

Be careful if shaving against the grain

Woman shaving her belly area

If gently shaving in the direction of your hair growth doesn’t give you a close enough shave, apply more shaving gel and carefully shave against the direction of the hair growth. Keep in mind how sensitive the skin is around your bikini line, so the fewer razor strokes, the better.

Rinse off your bikini line and razor

Bath being filled with water from a bath tap

Once you’re finished shaving, rinse off your bikini line, ideally with cool water — or you can use a cold wash cloth and press it to your skin for a minute or two — then pat your skin dry. Make sure to also clean off your razor and set it aside to dry.

Apply moisturizer

A woman pouring oil form a dropper into her hand

After you dry off, apply moisturizer or oil, preferably alcohol-free, to both sides of your bikini line. Since soap can dry out your skin, using a lotion or moisturizing oil after you shave helps prevent itchy irritation and maintain moisture your skin needs.