Intimate hair is no longer something that is hidden beneath the sheets and never discussed, which means intimate skincare is becoming increasingly important as any other skincare regime.

The trend for pruning, waxing, shaping, grooming and even colouring pubic hair is now as common place as another other form of hair removal or personal grooming.

[quote]The latest Pubic Trend coming from the US to the UK is the ‘full-bush’ Brazilian, which is described as 'hippie at the front and Hollywood below'.[/quote]

The traditional Brazilian leaves a tiny strip of hair at the top of the public triangle, but the new ‘full-bush’ version leaves the top area of your pubic hair fully grown but removes hair from the lower regions.

According to leading London waxing salons, British women like having the mix of natural pubic hair but like keeping the area bare below for hygiene purposes.

But it’s not just women who wax.

This month saw the launch of 'bro-zilian' waxing salon launched by pop up waxing company Pot Noodle, which is the first male only waxing salon.

A recent study by Braun revealed that men are beginning to toy with the idea of waxing their body hair thanks to images of a smooth-looking celebrities.

But with all this waxing and shaving comes a series of skin risk factors that means regular and careful intimate skincare is also becoming increasingly important.

Here are five skin problems that can arise from intimate waxing and grooming and our guide to Good Intimate Maintenance Practice;

 

  1. Rashes

Waxing of the intimate areas can cause post waxing or post shaving rashes. This is common with shaving or waxing any part of the body but the pubic region is especially sensitive as the skin there is thinner so post waxing rashes or over sensitivity are very common

Good Intimate Maintenance practice:

Wear cotton underwear and not a g string for two days after your wax or shave.

Use a de-sensitising cream on the post-waxed area immediately after waxing or shaving and  for two days more.

Try Skin Shop’s KALME Undercoat de-sensitising base cream that contains no chemicals or perfumes and will both reduce the skin sensitivity and so prevent rashes and also moisturise the area.

 

2. Infected pores

Waxing effectively pulls the hair our of the skin pore, temporarily leaving a minute ‘open hole’. Waxing doesn’t remove the hair but it does often shave off the top of the skin pore holding the hair so causing a minute abrasion to the skin.

[quote]The trouble is with intimate waxing or shaving the area often gets very little air and tends to be warm and enclosed in tight and un-breathable clothing meaning that bacteria and yeast breed quickly and easily leading to the dreaded infected pores that can leave the area looking pimpled.[/quote]

Good Intimate Maintenance practice:

Gently exfoliate the area daily for up to four days after waxing or shaving to avoid bacteria build up. Try and wear looser clothes for one day after waxing to allow the area to air and sleep without underwear or tight sleeping clothes for 1-2 days after waxing or shaving.

Research shows that vitamin D from the sun helps guard against vaginal yeast infections so if you can get your intimate area out in the sunshine for 15-20 minutes that can also help.

[quote]Increasing the ‘good skin flora’ on your intimate areas of skin two days prior to and up to three days after waxing or shaving  helps keep bad skin bacteria from entering the waxing or shaving abrasions and causing infection.[/quote]

Try Skin Shop’s Silver Serum, which is perfume and chemical free and promotes good skin flora and prevent bad skin bacteria from growing and stays active on the skin for up to eight hours.

 

  1. Dry skin

Regular waxing or shaving makes ski drier as pubic hair traps in moisture and oils and keeps the skin more moisturised. Also with waxing the top layer of ski is removed during the waxing process meaning extra moisture is lost as the skin barrier protection layer is weakened.

Good Intimate Maintenance practice:

With regular intimate waxing or shaving it is as important to keep the area moisturised and supple as with the face or any other part of the body.

Due to the fact that the skin in the pubic area is thinner, moisture loss is exacerbated by shaving or waxing.

Use twice daily an intimate moisturiser on the waxed or shaved areas. Try applying it straight after showering or bathing while skin is still damp to lock in the moisture.

[quote]Bathing in a non-chemical bath treatment for dry skin can help soften and smooth the intimate areas after waxing.[/quote]

Try Skin Shop’s Oat Soak bath sachets containing pure colloidal oats that leave skin smooth and help alleviate dry and flaky skin.

 

  1. Cleansing

It’s not something that we ever think about, but intimate skin needs cleansing just as much as facial skin, especially if its regularly waxed or shaved.

[quote]The pubic area is prone to direct build up mainly from sweat, especially after exercise. Although the area may be washed regularly from bathing, it needs more than just a rinse and cleansing is a key skin care regime that can keep the area from getting dry or infected.[/quote]

Good Intimate Maintenance practice:

Use a chemical and perfume-free water-free cleanser twice daily on waxed or shaved intimate skin. Water-free cleansers are better than wash off cleansers for this area as they lock in moisture while cleansing the skin. Try KALME Water-Free Cream cleanser. Apply to the waxed or shaved area with a natural cotton wool pad and simply wipe away any grease or dirt.

 

  1. Balm your ‘lips’

[quote]With intimate waxing or shaving often the labia lips are left more exposed and so can become drier.[/quote]

Good Intimate Maintenance practice:

We all use lip balm most days to keep lips soft and supple, well vaginal ‘lips’ need much the same treatment.

Using a daily natural perfume free balm on your labia lips can help keep them softer and more supple. Try Skin Shop’s 100% natural and perfume free Liquorice Balm on your labia lips, which also has a natural antibacterial action and protects against herpes.