Help - Shaving Misery

Hey, all.

Okay, I've studied ALL of the posts here on Eden about shaving before I started so I'd have an idea of what I'm doing and how to go about it.

I bought some bikini clippers with interchangable heads, baby oil, zinc oxide cream. Check.

I took the warm shower, exfoliated as much as I could (through the mass of hair), and patted the area dry. (I will not share the many comical and painful positions I had to get into to clip the hair short enough to shave off [and I still missed a bit]. Let's just say, my back will never be the same again.)

Then the clipping hair short, then the shaving ...

I didn't know it was possible to get the red bumps DURING shaving. Anyway, I slathered some baby oil on and leaving the area open to breathe, but the whole thing (mons, outer and inner labia) feel rather raw. I'll put some of the zinc on it in a bit.

Please, tell me it gets easier and smoother the more often I do this. I've tried shaving twice before in my life (with a razor) and the regrowth was the most hellacious thing I have ever experienced. The only reason I'm doing this at all is because my Master told me that he wanted me smooth and we'll be meeting on Saturday (although doing anything sexual will be up for debate for this visit).

I can't be the only one who's started out doing this and thinking "Is he totally worth this??" Are there any advantages to keep doing this besides not getting public hair in the mouth during oral sex? less

Okay - no electric shaver on the girl parts. Venus disposable razors. Conditioner until I can get the shaving cream on Eden.

Guess I should have gone with the manual razors to start. *eyeroll*

Thanks very much, BBW. You're saving the relationship by helping me, especially with the next few days' of advice. less

I strongly agree with BBW on the razor. I actually use Schick intuition with the built in sensitive skin shaving soap, but electric never goes well for me, EVER. Invest in a good quality (no generics if possible!) disposable or replaceable head razor. It makes a world of difference. less

Hey, all.

Okay, I've studied ALL of the posts here on Eden about shaving before I started so I'd have an idea of what I'm doing and how to go about it.

I bought some bikini clippers with interchangable heads, baby oil, zinc oxide cream. Check.

I took the warm shower, exfoliated as much as I could (through the mass of hair), and patted the area dry. (I will not share the many comical and painful positions I had to get into to clip the hair short enough to shave off [and I still missed a bit]. Let's just say, my back will never be the same again.)

Then the clipping hair short, then the shaving ...

I didn't know it was possible to get the red bumps DURING shaving. Anyway, I slathered some baby oil on and leaving the area open to breathe, but the whole thing (mons, outer and inner labia) feel rather raw. I'll put some of the zinc on it in a bit.

Please, tell me it gets easier and smoother the more often I do this. I've tried shaving twice before in my life (with a razor) and the regrowth was the most hellacious thing I have ever experienced. The only reason I'm doing this at all is because my Master told me that he wanted me smooth and we'll be meeting on Saturday (although doing anything sexual will be up for debate for this visit).

I can't be the only one who's started out doing this and thinking "Is he totally worth this??" Are there any advantages to keep doing this besides not getting public hair in the mouth during oral sex? less

The first few times you shave are the worst. I used to get bumps and ingrown hairs and misery. I quit doing it for years when I was a teen, because of the pain. But, I didn't give it a chance.

I've found that after a few months of regular shaving, the skin either toughens up or the hair tips might not be so course. It seems a lot easier after a month or two.

I use lots of soap when I shave, I use a new head on a Venus razor, soak in the tub for a while first, then shave carefully with the place to be shaved coated with soap (using a mirror can really help. I'll be writing a review of the Sex in the Shower Shaving Mirror we carry soon) then if its irritated put hydro cortisone on (paper thin layer only) then cover it with Bath and Body Works Body Butter. (I've had kids and zinc oxide reminds me too much of diapers. )

It's going to be better soon! less

I strongly agree with BBW on the razor. I actually use Schick intuition with the built in sensitive skin shaving soap, but electric never goes well for me, EVER. Invest in a good quality (no generics if possible!) disposable or replaceable head razor. It makes a world of difference. less

Okay, not to be Negative Nancy here, but depending on how sensitive your skin is, you may still get flare ups like this when you shave. After nearly 7 years of shaving it off, I STILL get red bumps when I shave... but I also have hypersensitive skin. I also cannot have sex within a five hours of shaving because I will get hives from the friction during sex.

It's going to take some trial and error to figure out what works for you. less

I personally think nobody should shave if it makes them uncomfortable. Shaving may not be safe for you. You could be allergic to the actual razors themselves. Yes, this can happen even if you shave your legs just fine. Your genital area reacts completely different than the rest of your body. It is much more sensitive.

Eden C. is correct. Shaving with the grain is going to cause less of an irritation. One thing you can try is waxing if you are determined to get rid of that hair. OR lasers if you have the money, but I don't say you should go that far. The only issue with waxing is that it has been known to decrease vaginal/clitoral sensitivity over time. This can make it hard to orgasm. I wax once in a blue moon to reduce irritation and make the hairs grow back looking thinner. It isn't pleasant, but it gets the job done. On the pain scale of 1 to 10, I place it at 8.

But here is an easy way to shave correctly, and avoid that bad reaction.

First off:

Start your exfoliation using a dead sea salt scrub. Salt kills bacteria that might be swept into open skin while shaving - this is one cause of those unsightly and painful bumps. Scrub until you've covered the entire shaving area, and then rinse with water. Go as warm as you can.

Lay a wet, warm towel over your shaving area. Go as wet and as hot as you can go. This helps to soften the skin and get it ready for shaving.

Next, using a male's razor, beging to shave. Begin shaving as you usually would; Against the grain. If you still feel irritated, this most likely means you are allergic to the razor. Continue shaving, but with the grain. Don't be scared of being stubbly. Often when you dry, you can hardly feel that.

Anything of the more expensive male razors are going to give you a better shave. It's weird, but the vaginal area is a lot like a man's face. You get the same coarse hair, same sensitive skin, etc. My fiance let me use his new razor to shave down there because he didn't like it (this is also a bad idea to share razors, but we're getting married so whatever). It gives a much better close shave, even with the grain. No irritation because they are specifically designed not to leave razor irritation. Nobody wants that on their face.

Try washing the area afterward with a face wash made for acne. I like clean and clear with exfoliating beads. Do not get too close to the inner vaginal area (don't go past the labia). Salicylic Acid has worked best for me. I even use it on my legs. This wont burn, and it gets rid of any infections that might be brewing. Even if you are red that night, you wont be the next morning.

Finish this process off by moisturizing the area with an organic aloe vera gel. Straight off the plan works too, but I prefer to buy it for the additives. For example, my lotion has added vitamin E and fish oil. Both great for skin. Especially scars.

The next day, the bumps might still be there. If they look slightly red, and somewhat like the first stage of a pimple. Try Clean and Clear acne spot treatment. It comes in a metallic tube with a purple cap. Put a small amount on each spot and let it work it's magic.

Sweating can also be a major cause of these bumps, if they come up the next day and not that night. Everybody sweats, even if we don't feel or notice it. Try using a baby powder made for sensitive skin, and pat down the area after showering. Don't use too much. Just a little bit will do. Do not use any type of underarm deodorant. It's made completely different and you will get a quite unpleasnt rash.

Do this everytime you shave, and try to only shave your lady garden once a week. Shaving too much can be bad for your sensitive skin. If problems persist, see a skin doctor. They can offer products to help relieve these issues as well. less

Lasers are not always worth it, though. I had laser hair removal, and it was very, very, very painful and did not work.

I have really sensitive skin, and the salicylic acid in the Clean & Clear irritated my skin. (Sadly, skin can become allergic to things like salicylic acid, which is present in pretty much every living cell). less

Okay - no electric shaver on the girl parts. Venus disposable razors. Conditioner until I can get the shaving cream on Eden.

Guess I should have gone with the manual razors to start. *eyeroll*

Thanks very much, BBW. You're saving the relationship by helping me, especially with the next few days' of advice. less

Yeah, I definitely don't like the idea of lasering anything. I've had a few places done but not a lot... and I literally had to be put out. I found it less painful than waxing, but the fact that it costs so much and you have to go in over and over - it's ridiculous.

If you are allergic to Salicylic acid, the sea salt alone would help. I have sensitive skin also. I had rashes since I was a little girl, and salt baths were my safe haven. The Clean and Clear has never bothered me. That's just what I use. You can play around. Basically if you can use it on your own face without irritation, it should be good down there. Those two areas are very similar. However, like I said, everyone is different. Doctors do offer creams to get rid of those bumps but you'll pay a fortune for things almost identical to face lotions and washes. less