If you've ever tackled pubic hair removal, you're probably all too familiar with the itch that follows during regrowth. It's a common but annoying issue that many of us face. Even though it’s maybe not the first thing you bring up in conversation, it’s impossible to ignore since it can be so incredibly distracting.
Whether you shave, wax, or use creams, that itchy feeling can seem like an inevitable part of the process. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right care and products, you can manage the regrowth phase better and say goodbye to the constant itch.
Let’s get into how you can keep your skin feeling smooth and comfortable even as your hair grows back.
What Causes Itching During Hair Regrowth?
Itching during hair regrowth primarily stems from the way hair re-enters the skin. As the new hair grows, it can curl back into the skin, leading to irritation and itching. This is especially common if you have coarse or curly hair.
If you wear a lot of tight clothing, friction on your pubic area can exacerbate this sensation, making the regrowth period even more uncomfortable. That said, itching isn’t necessarily unavoidable.
The method of hair removal you use can have an impact on how much irritation you feel while your hair is regrowing. Shaving, for instance, can cause micro-abrasions in the skin — you might know this as razor burn — which can lead to irritation when the hair starts growing back.
And while waxing removes hair from the root and can be extra appealing due to its long-lasting results, it can actually still cause irritation as the new hair grows in and the skin heals from the pull of waxing.
The skin's natural reaction to the trauma of hair removal can also lead to itching. When hair is removed, especially by methods like waxing or plucking, the skin responds as it would to any other injury. It initiates a healing process that often includes inflammation and the release of histamines.
If you have allergies, you’re probably familiar with the word histamines, so you know what it means — itching. This natural defensive mechanism is meant to protect the area from infection and promote healing, but unfortunately, it’s also super uncomfortable.
Dry skin can make the problem worse, as less hydrated skin is less elastic and more prone to irritation from the stiff, regrowing hairs poking through. Ensuring your skin is well-hydrated before and after hair removal can help mitigate some of this discomfort.
What Are the Safest Hair Removal Techniques?
As we’ve just touched on, how you remove hair can impact how itchy the regrowth period is. So, it follows that choosing the best hair removal tactic for you and your skin can help reduce the discomfort you feel after removing pubic hair.
For instance, people with sensitive skin might find that traditional shaving causes too much irritation and might benefit from electric shavers that cut hair above the skin level, reducing the risk of razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
If you have coarser hair, you might find that a more permanent solution like laser hair removal reduces the frequency of itching incidents by damaging the hair follicle — in a good way, if less hair is your aim — and reducing hair growth over time.
Depilatory creams offer a chemical method of hair removal that dissolves hair just below the surface of the skin. While these creams can be effective, they contain strong chemicals that can irritate the skin if left on for too long or used too frequently.
It’s also important to perform a patch test before applying the cream to larger or more sensitive areas like the bikini line to make sure your skin tolerates it well.
How Can You Minimize Itching?
All that said, we know that how you choose to remove your pubic hair is a personal decision with many factors. So, when you can’t necessarily change how you remove your pubic hair, it’s important to have some tools in your arsenal to minimize irritation regardless.
Managing the discomfort associated with pubic hair regrowth requires a proactive approach to skincare. While you likely have a skincare routine for your face and even other areas of your body, your vulva and pubic region often go without special care. We’re here to change that!
Itching can be significantly reduced through careful preparation of the skin before hair removal and appropriate aftercare. The following practices can be essential steps to keep your skin healthy and comfortable throughout the regrowth process.
1. Make Sure You’re Cleansing Properly
Before any hair removal process, it’s vital to cleanse the area properly. Cleansing before removing hair is crucial for removing surface oils and dirt and opening up the pores and follicles for a closer shave or wax.
Warm water can help soften the hair and make it easier to remove, further reducing the risk of irritation. When the skin is clean and hair is prepped, there’s also less chance of razor drag or wax sticking to the skin, which can pull and cause pain.
Our VMAGIC® Vulva Wash is a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that rejuvenates and nourishes the skin. Its natural formula, enriched with calming emollients like camellia and chamomile, helps balance the skin and reduce irritation.
To use it, dispense a quarter-sized amount into your hands or onto a soft sponge, apply directly to the skin, and rinse clean with warm water. Its residue-free rinse ensures that no irritating compounds remain on your sensitive skin.
After cleansing, be sure to check the area for any cuts, irritations, or infections. Proceeding with hair removal on compromised skin can exacerbate issues and lead to more severe itching or infection. If you notice anything is up, it might be best to delay hair removal to allow the skin time to heal before attempting more hair removal.
2. Always Exfoliate Before Removal
Exfoliating the skin before removing hair is crucial. It helps clear away dead skin cells, reduces the chance of ingrown hairs, and allows for closer hair removal. Our finely milled sugar scrub, VMAGIC® Grooming Polish, can help prepare your skin for the closest, smoothest shave or waxing experience of your life.
It’s designed to exfoliate and replenish dry skin, making it perfect for pre-grooming preparation. Key ingredients include cold-pressed olive and borage seed oil, which restore and replenish dry skin, and rosehip oil, an antioxidant-rich oil that helps smooth and even skin texture.
After cleansing, scoop out a quarter-sized amount, mix it with water, and gently massage it into the areas to be shaved or waxed. When you feel thoroughly scrubbed and nourished, rinse the polish off with warm water.
This proactive step can greatly diminish discomfort in the regrowth phase by preventing hairs from becoming trapped under the skin’s surface. Regular exfoliation keeps the skin soft and flexible, helping it better withstand the stress of hair removal techniques such as waxing or shaving.
Incorporating exfoliation into your grooming routine a day or two before hair removal can also help you achieve a more uniform skin surface, which is especially beneficial for waxing. This preparation allows wax to adhere more evenly to the hairs, not the skin, which reduces pain and irritation associated with pulling.
3. Don’t Forget To Moisturize
After hair removal, moisturizing is non-negotiable! It helps to soothe the skin and prevent the dry, tight feeling that can exacerbate itching. For a deeply nourishing moisturizer, try our VMAGIC® Vulva Balm.
This organic, hormone-free balm is designed to relieve dryness and irritation brought on by various factors, including grooming. Ingredients like organic extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and sea buckthorn oil help to hydrate and soothe the skin, while beeswax creates a natural barrier to lock in moisture.
The organic ingredients in our Vulva Balm, such as sea buckthorn oil and avocado oil, are rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids that nourish and support the skin’s natural barrier. This barrier is crucial for defending against external irritants and maintaining moisture levels. This means that regular moisturizing can soothe immediate irritation and promote longer-term skin health.
Smooth Moves
Navigating the discomfort of pubic hair regrowth doesn’t have to be a distressing part of your grooming routine. By understanding the root causes of itching and implementing a few key practices, you can greatly reduce irritation and maintain skin health.
Each step in your care routine plays a vital role in mitigating the itch associated with hair regrowth. When you utilize the right products designed for your sensitive pubic region, you give your skin the attention it deserves to thrive.
With these tips, you’ll beat the itch and enhance your overall skin care regimen, keeping your skin feeling as good as you do after a fresh Brazilian or luxurious Everything Shower.
Sources:
The Causes And Treatment Of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae | National Library of Medicine
Treatment Of Pseudofolliculitis In Trichotillomania Improves Outcome | National Library of Medicine
Tight Pants and Pubic-Hair Removal Increase Risk of Vulvodynia | BU School of Public Health