Waxing vs Shaving: The Cave of Wonder Strikes Back (or how I can't stop picking)

[p00r5lain-d0ll.livejournal.com]

Let me set the scene:

It's 01:27am GMT and I've just come back from my triple shift at the bar. I'm currently sat cross legged with a hot compress in my crotch. I have spent the day "discreetly adjusting" myself, wondering how the hell men manage to function with bulges, when I have what feels like a golfball that constantly gets caught in my knicker line. Why, yes I am a classy girl.

On closer inspection when I finally traipse through my door, covered in Guinness and buzzing from a litre of Red Bull, my lump (from hereon known affectionately as "Mons Vesuvius") is rather raised and angry. Even more so now, having been prodded extensively (a personal failing of mine) and subjected to wads of hot cotton smothering it. Wild? It's fucking LIVID! It has no definite head as of yet, and no tell-tale trail that tells me it's an ingrown hair (although for all I know, given the size and strength of its throbbing at me, any hair in there could be long enough to plait into my armpits). Whilst I know from experience, and probably the logical side of me, that I should leave it, continue with the hot compress until it subsides or explodes, I'm really looking for a prevention rather than a cure.

Would waxing be a better option than shaving? It would be done by a professional.
A few things about me: I'm 23, I've started to notice that my body is changing, and this is affecting certain things - for one, I'm getting more short sighted, so any personal grooming that goes on in the shower once my glasses are taken off, are left to random swipes with a razor. Reading that back actually makes me wince. So I'm open to change. I need to start looking after myself more. I'm scarred enough without adding unnecessary 'puncture trophies' down there due to ingrowing hairs.

Comments

[cuntbeans.livejournal.com]

For me, the ONLY thing that does not cause bumps, ingrowns and irritation from about midthigh and UP (I usually get a brazillian and a full leg wax) is waxing.

I CANNOT shave my girlbits, at all. OR I WILL FLAME FOR DAYS and look terrible for a MONTH.

When I cannot afford to wax, I trim til I can afford it.

Heh.

[redonthefly.livejournal.com]

I can't offer you advice (since I don't shave myself) but my goodness, this is the most hilarious account of an ingrown hair I have ever read!

[ereki.livejournal.com]

I have zero solutions for you, but wanted you to know you're hilarious.

Godspeed, vagina friend. I'm sorry for the pain you're in.

[jbyrdski.livejournal.com]

Waxing gives me ingrowns, so it's not necessarily the solution (although for some people I know it is), but Tend Skin is definitely worth considering. It's sold at most drugstores, or you can make your own out of asprin, rubbing alcohol, and witch hazel. As long as I apply it for a few days after I've waxed, I'm ingrown hair free.

[postage-paid.livejournal.com]

haha you're so cute. usually I'm too lazy to click hidden posts, but your "thar" did it for me :)

I don't really have any suggestions for your bump but as for shaving the girlbits, I have the same glasses problem so what I do is I get a handheld mirror and do it in the tub instead of the shower.... or if you don't have a tub I'm sure you could make something work with the sink? that way the glasses stay on :) good luck!

[caitiecait.livejournal.com]

I really have no suggestions, because just thinking about shaving lady part makes them burst into flame... but you are delightful.

[imindiaunajones.livejournal.com]

I responded to someone earlier today (I think) about this sort of thing.

I gave up shaving sometime early in college. Every once in a while I'll get stubborn and shave the bikini line -- it's not quite as bad as shaving further in -- otherwise I'm an exclusive trimmer.

When I have the money, I get waxed and it's glorious. I'll get a little itchy a day or two afterwards, but for the most part the ingrowns have been very minimal and it's so much better than shaving.

[plainiac.livejournal.com]

dude I do the same thing. I pick and pick and pick at it thinking "I can FREE this hair! I can pop this pimple! And it will be soo much better!". And it ALWAYS makes it worse! Yet I do it every time. As my friend says "You just can't leave well enough alone, can you?!".
I would keep on with the hot compress and hide your tweezers.

[yaymyson.livejournal.com]

haven't tried it for all the ladybits, but for the bikini line i've started using dove deodorant (a tip i picked up here at VP!). Works wonders; no ingrowns, no irritation.

[nikki-lixxx.livejournal.com]

whaddya mean? when do you put it on? huh?

[yaymyson.livejournal.com]

You can use it in place of gel/soap/whatevs (i have done this), the only drawback being that it gunks up your razor.
Alternatively, you can apply it immediately after shaving. Lost of gals recommend using hair conditioner to shave (as with legs), since it softens the hair and moisturizes the skin.
Another alternative is to shave with neosporin. Keeps the follicles from getting infected and producing ingrown hairs.

[elephantus45.livejournal.com]

I know that it says on the bottle of Veet NOT TO DO THIS but I use it on my mons. Not the labia or anywhere sensitive, but its the only thing that's saved me. Nair smells like ass so I don't use that, but have had no problems with Veet. I shave the rest and don't get ingrowns there.

But yeah, I'm a picker too. It sucks, but its like "can't stop..." because you know pimples feel so much better once they finally pop haha.

[cadetsandkings.livejournal.com]

I love waxing, but can't afford it right now. I trim instead. It gets close enough that it's soft stubble but doesn't leave me with ingrowns.

[coco1040.livejournal.com]

The only thing that doesn't cause me terrible rashes of ingrown hairs and little whiteheads is to use clipper and keep trim i.e. no hair removal at the skin level or below at all. I use the shortest clipper attachment, so I'm prickly for a few days, but it softens up and looks nice and does not cause pain and annoyance and ugliness.

Good luck!