Your Vulva Skin Post-Waxing and Shaving. Common Concerns Answered!
Studies have shown that in the United States, 80% of women have undergone vaginal grooming for reasons ranging from healthcare visits, to holidays or intercourse. Many women also say that hair removal just makes them feel sexy.
We all have our individual preferences… some of us feel our best with the smoothness of a freshly-groomed vagina, while others may prefer to grow it out - and that is perfectly fine. We all just want to feel beautiful, empowered and like the best versions of ourselves! It is entirely up to us whether to groom or not! So, flaunt the choice that makes you feel like the best YOU!
Before you start grooming:
Before any form of hair removal procedures, your skin needs to be completely cleansed; this step ensures that bacteria and excess sebum does not cause irritation resulting in an infection. Always ensure you take all the necessary steps to prep your skin for hair removal.
A guide to shaving:
The correct way to shave, of course, is with proper preparation, good razors, move along the grain, and good aftercare. The Women’s Health Magazine features a very detailed article which is informative and has great tips. Here are some…
Invest in a good bikini razor – You should get a sturdy, strong razor with more blades and soothing strips. Be mindful that disposable razors are not suitable for long-term use. Clean and disinfect your razor before and after use. If it looks rusty, throw it away. Store your razor in a clean dry place to avoid bacteria build-up (i.e. don’t keep it in the shower!).
Prep your skin – A 10-minute soak in warm water and a gentle scrub with a wet washcloth helps remove dead skin, teases out ingrowths, and ensures a closer shave.
Use shaving cream or gel – This is not just an additional step, but a necessary one to ensure that the skin surface has enough slip, is safer, and prevents excess back-and-forth movement on the surface of the skin.
Don’t shave against the grain – In the long run, while you may feel that shaving against the grain is quicker, you can avoid razor bumps, razor cuts, and subsequent ingrowths – so don’t do it.
If you prefer to wax:
If your pain threshold is high and a bikini wax is more your thing, Cosmopolitan discusses Five Ways a Bikini Wax Affects Your Vulva. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your wax with longer-lasting effects.
Hair length - The lining of your bikini area hair needs to be ¼ inches long. You can trim (not too short) before visiting your wax technician. A good rule of thumb to follow is to leave 4 weeks between each waxing appointment.
Time of the Month - Warning - It’s not a good idea to schedule your waxing appointment 3 days before your period; your skin in the area tends to be super sensitive during this time of the month… leading to great discomfort.
Shower and Exfoliate - This opens your pores, removes dead skin, and makes the process less painful. However, make sure that the area is completely dry before the procedure.
Plan your outfit - The lower body will be exposed, so choose your wardrobe wisely; we recommend that you consciously avoid choosing tight clothes and underwear, as this will lead to chafing and more irritation.
What happens to your skin after a wax or shave?
After shaving, the skin will become very red and irritated; and the skin in your intimate area may be slightly chafed. You may suffer small razor cuts, razor burns, razor bumps, and ingrowths.
With Bikini Waxing, you will notice erythema or redness in the area; there may be heat that could worsen with sweating and friction… so, be careful for at least 48 hours after your wax. Wax is almost like exfoliating. It is recommended to perform wax care after bikini treatment.
Waxing and shaving are not merely hair removal on its own; it can also remove dead skin and living skin cells, and strip skin of its natural healthy oils. Hence, the skin will be extremely dry. In turn, dry skin is one of the main factors for ingrowth.
Why is After Care so important?
The fact is, shaving the bikini area or waxing the bikini area can cause vaginal or vulvar irritation. This should usually subside in 30 minutes to a couple of hours, as should any inflammation, however, if redness, inflammation, and/or pain persist, it is advisable to get the area checked by a doctor.
Limit touching the area - After waxing and shaving, please limit contact with this area as much as possible to prevent oils and bacteria from entering the vagina; and wear loose-fitting clothes and natural fiber underwear for 48 hours.
Avoid... Going to the beach with a freshly-groomed vagina or wearing tight clothing that causes sweat and friction.
Do... Introduce a cold compress to the area, then moisturize… moisturize...moisturize! The best recommendation is an unscented, alcohol-free product that locks in the moisturizer. Moisturizing after a hair removal procedure is imperative to help your skin recover and restore healthy skin. We recommend a hypoallergenic moisturizer specifically formulated for intimate area use -such as Rejuvenate.
As always, we recommend that you invest time in your intimate care routine to keep your vulva in the pink of health. Moisturizing after hair removal treatments is an essential step towards maintaining healthy skin. Moisturizing further protects your skin from air pollutants, bacteria, and aids in keeping your pores clear.
What makes Rejuvenate by REJUCREAM best for after grooming care? It is our unique RejuVstem Complex, which includes Peptides and Probiotics.
Peptides stem from botanical origins that have been proven to diminish wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and boost the creation of new collagen, which gives skin structure, strength, firmness, and smoothness.
While Probiotics has an amazing way of preserving your skin, our active probiotic is proven to help with skin hydration and illumination. REJUCREAM can reverse the effects of waxing and shaving.
Use REJUVENATE Intimate Revitalizing Cream not only after grooming your intimate area, but daily to nourish and protect your vulva.
