Bikini Trimmers Are Painless, Easy, and Irritation-Free—if You Know Which Ones to Buy

Bikini trimmers don’t generally cause ingrown hairs because the hair isn’t removed from your skin, which means it's unlikely to get trapped as it grows. This is why bikini trimmers are a great option for anyone who’s prone to ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and razor burn.

Though a bikini trimmer is less likely to give you ingrown hairs, adhering to the following practices will help reduce your risk:

History and hair type: If your skin is sensitive, you have a history of ingrowns, or you have curly or coarse hair, your chance of developing ingrown hairs increases. Though there's nothing you can do about this, if you follow the tips below, your chances can significantly decrease.Preparation: You should ideally wait until your pubic hair has grown back out to around 4mm, as any shorter can lead to irritation. You also need to exfoliate beforehand, and if your trimmer/razor works with it, add shaving cream or oil. Direction of shave: Despite razors or trimmers claiming you can shave whichever way and not have any irritation, it truly is best to shave in the direction of your hair growth using short, small strokes.Aftercare: Trimming is a form of exfoliation, so natural oils and moisture may be stripped away during the process. Layering on a post-shave moisturizer (that's fragrance-free and is applied only on your external genitalia area!) will provide moisture and soothe your skin.Blade: Surprisingly enough, you should be changing your blades after five to 10 shaves. A dull blade can lead to more nicks and can increase bacteria buildup, which is a recipe for infection.

And, the most important rule: If you have a significant amount of ingrown hairs (or even just one!), let them heal and prevent picking. If you try to remove them yourself, you can risk infection.

No, a bikini trimmer is not necessarily better than shaving; it just comes down to personal preference and the look you're going for. “You should consider a trimmer if you experience irritation after shaving your bikini area, or if you prefer to maintain, but not fully remove, all of your pubic hair,” says Liston. Shaving, on the other hand, cuts the hair off at the surface, meaning you’re left with smoother skin afterward—but also with a higher risk of bumps, ingrown hairs, and irritation.

Yes, you can use shaving cream with a bikini trimmer if you want more moisturized skin. But you can also trim your hair dry without any cream or lotion, which is why bikini trimmers are so versatile and easy to use. Check the instructions on your specific trimmer though, as some with extra-sharp blades might require shaving cream to help prevent friction that can lead to irritation.

Bikini trimmers do leave some stubble because your hair isn’t actually removed from your follicle like with plucking or waxing, or cut close to the skin like with shaving. Some trimmers have a strong, sharp blade that can get really close to your skin, leaving you with little to no noticeable hair, while others (generally best for sensitive skin) just trim your hair to a shorter length. If you prefer a totally hair-free finish, you can shave or wax and then just use a bikini trimmer to clean up any hairs as they’re starting to grow back.

Prep your skin

A couple of days before you want to trim your bikini line, exfoliate your skin with a chemical exfoliant or body scrub to get a smoother shave, advises board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara. Then, once you’re ready, lather up your skin with a hydrating, fragrance-free shaving cream or oil to avoid irritation and bumps when shaving or using a trimmer in the shower (you don't need cream when you're trimming on dry skin though, fyi).

Work in one direction

The easiest way to prevent bumps and ingrown hair when trimming your bikini line? Make sure you’re shaving with the grain (i.e., the direction your hair grows), says Dr. Gohara, because shaving and trimming against the grain (or switching up your direction) is basically a recipe for irritation. “Take it slow and don’t rush,” she says.

Follow the directions on your trimmer

Every bikini trimmer is different. “Using your trimmer incorrectly can cause discomfort, or even worse, cut your sensitive bikini-line skin,” says Liston. Some trimmers require that you use shaving cream, others need to be used dry; so, make sure you’re following the directions on the packaging of your trimmer (aka read it before tossing it out).

Invest in after-care

As soon as you’re done trimming, follow up with a generous layer of fragrance-free cream safe to use on your sensitive, external skin to keep your skin soft and bump-free, says Dr. Gohara. P.S., It's never a bad idea to dab on an ingrown hair toner while maintaining your bikini line—just dab one on every few days post cleansing.

Clean and replace your tools regularly

Shaving or trimming with a dull, dirty blade is not ideal and can often lead to irritation or infections. Clean your blades with antibacterial soap and water after every single use, and make sure you're replacing your blades every few weeks for a more painless experience (you can even put a reminder on your calendar!). Also, never share your tools—even if your roommate asks nicely.

Determine razor vs. trimmer.

Are you determined to get rid of razor burn or ingrown hairs? A trimmer is probably the better option. A bikini trimmer is also great if you don’t want to completely get rid of hair in an area. Need a completely smooth shave? You’ll probably want to shave or wax first, then use a trimmer to touch up between.

Consider what size will work best.

If you want to create precise designs or just touch-up your bikini line between shaving, you’ll like having a smaller bikini trimmer that can easily maneuver across your skin. However, if you like trimming your lower stomach, inner thighs, or other larger areas, opt for something that has a bigger blade (and if it comes with a bikini attachment for precision-work, even better).

Identify what features you need most.

Some trimmers are a little bit more ~advanced.~ Choose a trimmer that’s waterproof if you want to save time and trim in the shower. If you want a super-close shave, look for a razor/trimmer duo, or an electric razor that has a trimmer attachment.

If you trim, like, all the time, grab one that comes with replacement heads to make sure you’ll always have a sharp blade. I also live for a trimmer that has a light to help me see what the heck I’m doing down there (because there is nothing worse than going in there blind with a sharp object, right?).

Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and treating skin of color.

Katelyn Liston is a product research scientist for Gillette Venus, where she is involved in the research and development of razors, bikini trimmers, and all hair-removal products.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories.

Chaise Sanders was an associate editor at Cosmopolitan with experience researching and writing a range of beauty stories.

This story also features additional reporting by Siena Gagliano, formerly an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who has over three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces.