Periods & Everyday Life

Q&A: What do you do about razor burn in the pubic area?

Avoid it at all costs! Right? Prevention is the key, but I know that sometimes that doesn’t always work. Causing the least amount of trauma to the hair follicle will help prevent a lot of the problem. Make sure that you are using warm water, preferably during or right after a warm bath or shower. Before shaving, gently exfoliate the area with a bath sponge or exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells. Shave in the same direction that the hair lays -- going against the grain will aggravate the hair follicle. Try using hair conditioner and warm water instead of shaving cream. Use an unscented lotion afterward to soothe the skin. If none of these things help, there are some over the counter preparations made to help reduce redness and irritation.

My sympathies; razor burn can be very painful. The first thing to do is stop shaving for a while. If it’s a fresh razor burn, try rubbing an ice cube over the area. There are many solutions to try and what works best for others may not work best for you. A cream containing hydrocortisone will help reduce the redness, string, and inflammation. Make sure to use it as directed. You can also try a moisturizing lotion, aloe vera gel, or a tea tree oil balm.

There are many products made specifically to combat razor burn in the bikini area. And I have a friend who swears by diaper rash cream!  Good luck!

My best advice is to prevent razor burn in the first place. Shaving can be a tricky thing, especially if you are prone to razor burn like me. I have super sensitive skin so if I’m not very careful, it gets very irritated. Make sure you have clean skin and lightly exfoliate. It helps get any hair loose that may be trapped. Always use a new and sharp razor because dull ones just won’t do. Afterwards, swipe some unscented deodorant (not the gel kind!) across the shaved area. I swear it all helps prevent burn!