Whether you love it, hate it, or anything in between, it\u2019s probably safe to say that we\u2019ve all dealt with the dread of a less-than-perfect bikini line. Ingrown hairs, razor burn, bumps, discoloration\u2026 all reasons we might hide behind a cover-up rather than frolic freely.<\/p>\n
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The annoying truth is, our bikini area is very sensitive and will be affected by what we use around it and how we treat it. Growing up, nobody talked to me about the proper way to care for such a delicate part of my body, and I don\u2019t recall any of my friends having that conversation either.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to note a few things anatomy-wise when tending to your sensitive area. Simply put, vagina and vulva are not the same. Vagina = inside, vulva = outside. It\u2019s pretty common knowledge these days that\u00a0douching is a no-go<\/a>\u00a0and can disrupt the pH of the vagina. Well, the same is true for a lot of other products that are specifically marketed as formulated for use on the female genital area.<\/p>\n Fragrance, harsh soaps, and cleansers that contain perfumes and other chemical ingredients\u00a0can be highly irritating<\/a>\u00a0to delicate tissues, further contributing to an anything but attractive bikini line.<\/p>\n So, you guessed it, step 1 in caring for your bikini line is to omit anything that might be irritating the overall area. In general, be wary of harsh chemical detergents, dryer sheets, synthetic fragrance, and dyes. More specifically, avoid perfumes and scented soaps\/lotions. The New York Times offers helpful\u00a0advice from Dr. Jen Gunter<\/a>\u00a0that reads:<\/p>\n \u201cVulvar pH is around 5.3 and water is 7.0. It is best that any soap or cleanser you use have a pH between 5.3 and 7.0 as regular exposure to a higher pH could damage the lipid layer on the surface of the vulva.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSoap can dry the skin and scents \u2014 even botanicals \u2014 can irritate it. A mild unscented soap, such as a pure glycerin soap, or a cleanser (a nonsoap product) is best, but use them sparingly. Special feminine cleansers are not needed and many have fragrance that could be irritating. A hypoallergenic facial cleanser can be used, but many women are also happy with just water.\u201d<\/p>\nWhat NOT To Do<\/b><\/h2>\n
What Exactly Is An Ingrown Hair And How Is It Caused?<\/b><\/h2>\n