It may feel like it was only yesterday when you were begging your mum to let you shave your legs. As a teenage girl on the cusp of puberty, permission to shave your legs was considered a milestone moment on your journey towards womanhood. Then came the arm pits, the vulva, and endless years of personal maintenance to follow.
Nowadays there isn’t a single task of personal hygiene dreaded more than shaving your vulva. The awkward body positioning, flowing shower water, slippery bathroom tiles, borderline painful body scrubbing, cuts, scrapes, and ingrown hairs. Shaving your vulva is a horror film just waiting to happen. So, it’s time to take a refresher course on how to shave your vulva for a smooth, bump-free finish.
And for the record; a hair-free vulva is totally your choice. If you prefer to grow a mini or major bush downstairs, we totally support that. Power to you!
First, what products do you need to shave your vulva?
Before you jump into the bathroom to shave your vulva, it’s necessary to line up proper tools to master the technique. First up you’ll need a razor. The best razor for your vagina area is one with a small cartridge for easy manoeuvring around the tricky spots, and minimal blades to cut through hair swiftly without pulling. These days you can find vulva-specific razors that are designed specifically for the pubic area.
The next item you’ll need for a successful vulva shave is shaving cream. Look out for a sensitive, hydrating cream without harsh ingredients. A thin layer of shaving cream will help you to glide the razor over your vulva and achieve a clean shave with minimal irritation.
An exfoliating body scrub or body brush will help to remove dead layers of skin prior to shaving, and a moisturiser will help to minimise post-shave irritation and bumps.
Now that you have your equipment on standby, follow these steps on how to shave your vulva:
Step 1: Trim your pubic hair
Achieving a closer shave will be easier when your vulva hair is short. Rather than hacking at thick hair with a razor, use a pair of scissors or hair trimmers to trim the hair down to a quarter of an inch in length.
Step 2: Jump in the shower or bath
No matter how much of a rush you may be in, shaving should never be done when your skin is dry. Jump into the shower, prioritise your usual shower time tasks (wash your face and your hair), then make shaving your vulva the last stop in your routine as the warm water preps the skin for a smoother shave.
Step 3: Exfoliate your skin
You’ve made it into your bath or shower. The next step towards a smooth, snag-free shave is to exfoliate the surface of your vulva. Using a loofah, body brush or exfoliating scrub, gently cleanse the vulva area in a circular motion to remove dead skin and prevent potential ingrown hairs from forming. Pay special attention to avoid any products entering your vagina – external use only, ladies.
Step 4: Apply the shaving cream
Once you’ve washed all product from your vulva area, apply a thin layer of shaving cream and stand clear of the shower’s flow of water.
Step 5: Shave it off
Propping your foot up onto the bathtub or a ledge if available, gain your balance before moving in with razor in hand. Due to the shape, location, and thin skin of the vagina area, it can be super sensitive and tricky to shave this part of your body. Remember to use your other hand to keep the skin taut while working in short strokes in the direction of the hair growth (downwards). Shaving against the grain of your pubic hair can cause irritation, redness, and ingrown hairs – ouch. Take it slow, shaving your vulva is not a two-minute task.
Step 6: Moisturise
After you’ve finished shaving and rinsed away the excess cream, dry yourself off and moisturise the vulva area with a fragrance-free lotion or cream. Opt for a natural, sensitive-specific cream to minimise redness and irritation. If you want to splurge, you can find after-shave creams that help to prevent redness, irritation, and ingrown hairs.
Step 7: Go commando
If you’ve ever needed an invitation to go full commando, this is it. Underwear made from synthetic materials can irritate your lady parts, especially after a fresh shave. Wearing cotton or no underwear will allow your skin to breathe and heal better after it’s had the once-over with a razor.
Hot tip: Right before bed is the prime time to shave your vulva area. This is the easiest way to let your vulva heal when you slip on your cotton pyjamas. Plus, there’s no feeling better than waking up to a smooth bod.
What if shaving my vulva causes little bumps?
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how precisely you follow the steps of how to shave your vulva, small red bumps are bound to appear. This is a completely normal condition known as folliculitis, or razor burn. It occurs when bacteria enter the hair follicles and becomes inflamed. Generally, these bumps will disappear on their own accord after a few days. In the interim, you can try vitamin A cream or nappy rash cream to soothe the area.
What about ingrown hairs?
When dead skin cells or bacteria clog a hair follicle on the surface of the vulva area, ingrown hairs are likely to appear. Although the painful, often pus-filled bumps are tempting to pick, instead treat the area with a mild toner containing salicylic acid (a common ingredient used to treat acne). If ingrown hairs worsen or become infected, see your doctor for the best course of treatment.
How often should you repeat?
That all depends on how much of a close shave you’re chasing. Pubic hair will begin to visibly show after 2-3 days. While you can shave again after that timeframe, it’s recommended to allow the hair to grow out to at least past the seven-day mark to prevent the risk of skin bumps, irritation, and ingrown hairs.
This blog is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your medical practitioner.
