---
source_url: "https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a2857/bikini-line-hair-removal/"
title: Bikini Line Hair Removal for 2023 - How to Shave Your Bikini Line
mirrored_at: 2026-08-07T01:02:26.922Z
host: www.cosmopolitan.com
cited_in_42a: true
mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a2857/bikini-line-hair-removal/index"
---

> **Original source:** https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a2857/bikini-line-hair-removal/

If you shave your bikini line, you know just how f\*cking uncomfortable [ingrown hairs](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g39315423/best-ingrown-hair-treatments/) or razor burns are. NGL, in the past, I lowkey accepted that those angry inflamed bumps and trapped hairs were just a part of life if you’re someone who chooses to [shave their bikini line](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g32082297/best-bikini-trimmers-razors/). I mean, that’s the main reason why I used to avoid [razors](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g30323944/best-razors-for-women/) completely and book waxing sessions instead. But after a ~vent~ session with a friend, I realized that bumps and irritation don’t _have_ to be a part of the package deal every time you pick up your razor. Yup, if shaving is your thing, **all it takes is the proper technique and the right products** to make sure you never have to deal with a bikini line from hell again.

So to help you out, we hit up hair removal experts and a dermatologist— hi, [Lillian Tung](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-tung-3744989/), [Laura Schubert](https://furyou.com/pages/about), and [Elyse Love](https://glamderm.com/team/dr-elyse-love/), MD—for the must-dos when it comes to shaving your bikini line. You’re welcome in advance.  

![Video poster](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vidthumb/images/sws-thumb-skin-1571851400.jpg?crop=0.889xw:1.00xh;0.0561xw,0&resize=980:* "Video poster")

## Meet the experts:

-   **[Lillian Tung](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-tung-3744989/)** is the co-owner and founder of hair removal brand [Fur](https://furyou.com/), which stands to destigmatize the conversation surrounding pubic hair.
-   **[Laura Schubert](https://furyou.com/pages/about)** is the other co-owner and founder of Fur.
-   **[Elyse Love](https://www.instagram.com/elyselovemd/?hl=en)**, MD, is a board-certified, NYC-based dermatologist at [GlamDerm](https://glamderm.com/). Dr. Love recently spoke to _Cosmo_ regarding [razor burn](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a28844206/blind-pimple-under-skin/).

## **What is your bikini line?**

Okay, it may seem simple, but QQ: do you _actually_ know what the "bikini line" means or where it refers to? Well, its OG definition referred to the hair and skin that was visible around a bikini bottom, but now **people consider the "bikini line" to be any skin that grows pubic hair** (aka your vulva).

## **Is it bad to shave your bikini line?**

Nah, it's not bad to shave your bikini line, but just a reminder: Your body hair is a normal, natural thing (it’s literally there to help protect your ~delicate~ parts), so there’s also no pressure to do _anything_ with your hair if you’re cool with it. Plus, shaving your bikini line is a great option for folks who don't have the pain tolerance to deal with waxing or the $$$ for [laser hair removal](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g30112097/best-laser-hair-removal-at-home/). Plus, **if you're shaving your bikini line correctly, there's nothing to stress about.**

Now that all of the basics are out of the way, it's time to get to the good stuff. **Here's everything you need to keep in mind when shaving your bikini line...**  

## But first, here's a visual if you want a demonstration...

## How to shave your bikini line

## **1\. Make sure you have the right razor**

The difference in whether you're left with bumps or smooth-ass skin comes down to one very important tool: your razor. Okay, it's not _everything_, but it does play a big role. **You want to make sure you have a razor with a very, very sharp blade.** A dull one will drag against your skin and lead to ingrowns and razor burn (the _most_ annoying).

Another key tip for a smooth shave? **Your razor needs to be kept super clean**—otherwise, you risk irritation, or even worse, infection. Give it a quick rinse before you shave to make sure it’s not clogged up with dead skin or hair.

##### The best razors for your bikini line

This Mini-Razor

This single blade razor

This Razor Subscription Kit

This Razor for Sensitive Skin

###### Venus Deluxe Smooth Sensitive Women's Razor + 2 Razor Blade Refills

Now 12% Off

## 2\. Prep your bikini line

Exfoliating _before_ you shave is also a major key (but, absolutely don't use a physical exfoliant after). Both Tung and Schubert agree that using a gentle physical scrub, like one of the picks below, is the way to go. **Exfoliating buffs away the product buildup, oil, and dead skin cells that are sitting on the surface of your skin—**if you don't get rid of that layer, your razor could be pushing all of that gunk _further_ into your pores, which can lead to ingrowns.

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##### The best pre-shave exfoliators for your bikini line

###### Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Body Scrub

Credit: Courtesy Image

## **3\. Always apply shaving cream**

**You should _always_ use shaving cream,** says Tung. Putting a razor against your skin without a buffer is basically a recipe for some major irritation. And if you don't have a shaving cream on hand, a creamy [body wash](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g30368127/best-natural-body-wash/) works in a pinch too.

##### The best shaving creams for your bikini line

This Shaving Cleanser And Gel

This Shave Cream for Sensitive Skin

This All-Natural Shaving Cream

###### Fur Shave Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image

This Drugstore Shave Cream

###### Eos Shave Cream

Now 11% Off

Credit: Courtesy Image

## **4\. Shave in the direction of your hair growth**

The direction _definitely_ matters. Your pubic hair is thicker than the hair on the rest of your body and the skin in that area is ultra-delicate, so you want to **shave in the same direction as your natural hair growth** to avoid any bumps and irritation. According to Schubert, you want to shave using short, small strokes—not long sweeps—and if your pubes are long, give them a quick trim with [hair scissors](https://www.amazon.com/Equinox-Professional-Shears-Razor-Edge/dp/B00KVYBY8M/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?tag=cosmopolitan_auto-append-20) before using your razor.

## **5\. Layer on a post-shave moisturizer**

You want to **use a product that’s hydrating and soothing** after you shave your bikini line, says Tung. So work in a [post-shave serum](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J5EX72?tag=cosmopolitan_auto-append-20) or lotion to make sure your skin stays soft long after you shave.

##### The best post-shave moisturizers for your bikini line

This Natural Cream

###### Fur Stubble Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image

This Lotion for Dry Skin

###### Vaseline Clinical Care Body Lotion Extremely Dry Skin Rescue

Credit: Courtesy Image

This Lotion for Dry Skin

###### Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Now 16% Off

Credit: Courtesy Image

This Soothing Lotion

###### Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

Credit: Courtesy Image

## Here's another visual...

## What do you do if you get razor burn or an ingrown hair on your bikini line?

Although it may be tempting to pick, prod, and rub everything in your beauty stash on the irritated bikini line, avoid doing so. It's important to keep it simple in this situation. **Apply a [gentle moisturizer](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g60702855/best-moisturizers-for-sensitive-skin/)—or one of the treatments below—to the affected area once a day, and then at night, apply an [over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012X33HMY?tag=cosmopolitan_auto-append-20)**. Just promise me, no harsh, physical exfoliants (i.e., body scrubs), kk?

Because the bikini line is a sensitive area on your body, it's more prone to razor burn and ingrown hairs (which, two words: effing sucks). **Razor burn and ingrown hairs will typically resolve on their own**, Dr. Love has explained to _Cosmo_, adding that if you're looking for relief (which, like, aren't we all?!), a warm compress (i.e., a warm, wet washcloth) can be applied a few times a day for 10-15 minutes, which can help to dislodge the ingrown hair faster and soothe the razor burn.

If you're looking to [treat stubborn ingrown hair](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g39315423/best-ingrown-hair-treatments/), in addition to the warm compress, you can apply a _chemical_ exfoliant to the hair. **Gentle chemical exfoliation with lactic and [glycolic acid](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g32909773/glycolic-acid-serum/) can help to break down a clogged hair follicle.** Just know, if after a week the area doesn't clear, you should head to a derm for an in-office treatment or prescription.

##### The best razor burn and ingrown hair treatments

This Hydrocortisone Cream

This Tonic

This Serum

###### Koko Rose The Magic Stick

Now 38% Off

This Gel

## **The final verdict**

If you're over your body hair and want to shave your bikini line, go for it! You just want to keep these steps in mind: **exfoliate beforehand, use a sharp, clean razor, don't shave against the grain, and moisturize after**. The result? The hairless, smooth-as-hell skin of your dreams.

## Why trust _Cosmo_?

**Siena Gagliano** is a contributing beauty editor at _Cosmopolitan_, and has two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare stories, like the best [ingrown hair treatments](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g39315423/best-ingrown-hair-treatments/) and the best [razors for sensitive skin](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g38728294/best-razors-for-sensitive-skin/), and feels especially knowledgable in bikini hair removal, thanks to her own struggles with razor burn and ingrown hair. She regularly tests and analyzes bikini hair removers, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists, and hair removal experts to assess new formulas and products.

**Ama Kwarteg** was previously the associate beauty editor at _Cosmopolitan_, and has years of experience writing about beauty news across print and digital. Her bikini hair removal picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and dermatologist recommendations.

![Headshot of Siena Gagliano](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/467875c0-98fd-48a1-8743-0dcfc8deee4a_1734448766.jpg?fill=1:1&resize=120:* "Headshot of Siena Gagliano")

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.

![Headshot of Ama Kwarteng](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/45fb0841-47d4-4ef0-a4de-e47ee3c3a0bb_1734448989.jpg?fill=1:1&resize=120:* "Headshot of Ama Kwarteng")

Ama Kwarteng was appointed the Associate Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan.