When dark spots appear on the face, we can be quick to grab a topical treatment or add in a new skincare product that can fade or eliminate its appearance. However, we can forget that similar solutions can also be used on dark spots or other parts of the body.
When it comes to hyperpigmentation on the bikini line, there are a few solutions to help eliminate their appearance that can easily be added to your daily routine.
Dark spots can appear for several reasons on and around the bikini line, but there are also many methods that can help to reduce and diminish the appearance of dark spots just by making small adjustments to your shaving or hair removal routine.
How can you prevent and diminish the appearance of dark spots on the bikini line? Making sure the bikini area is well-exfoliated and well-moisturized prior to shaving will help lessen the likeliness of dark spots appearing. Using brightening ingredients, like vitamin C, will aid in diminishing the appearance of existing dark spots.
Below, we discuss in depth what these dark spots are, why the occur, and the best methods to avoid and diminish their appearance on the bikini line!
What Are Dark Spots On The Bikini Line?
A challenging skincare obstacle is trying to avoid dark spots that can tend to appear on the bikini line, which can cause an uneven skin tone appearance. While dark spots can appear on other areas of the body, when they appear on the bikini line finding ways to diminish or eliminate them can be a difficult task.
Especially during the summer months when it’s bathing suit, beach, and pool season, worrying about dark marks along the bikini line is the last thing you want to have on your mind while you’re enjoying your relaxing summer vacation.
The dark spots are areas of hyperpigmentation that causes an uneven distribution of melanin in the skin to settle in specific areas.
The delivery of melanin to a specific area of the skin is meant to protect the skin when it feels like it’s being aggravated, such as with the repetitive motion of shaving or waxing the delicate skin around the bikini line area.
When the melanin is sent to the area to protect the skin, it can settle in a specific area without fully dispersing, which can result in spots or stripes of an uneven skin tone.
Although there are several reasons why dark spots may occur, when it comes to the bikini line, most often it is a result of shaving, waxing, or ingrown hairs.
How Do Dark Spots On The Bikini Line Occur?
Dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, on or around the bikini line is a common occurrence that can affect anyone’s appearance, regardless of your skin type or skin tone. There are several causes that can create areas of hyperpigmentation on the bikini line, as well as other areas of the body.
One of the most common instances for dark spots around the bikini area, is due to frequent shaving or hair removal treatments, such as waxing.
The skin around the bikini line area is particularly delicate and sensitive, and it can be prone to experiencing irritation that is caused by shaving or waxing, which stems from the inflammation of the hair follicle.
Once the hair follicle feels the irritation from the shaving or waxing, it can become inflamed in an effort to protect itself. This can also often result in the existence of ingrown hairs, which can be uncomfortable and also contribute to the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Razor bumps are another common issue for ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation spots. When the skin is not well-exfoliated, or there is a buildup of dead skin cells, it can cause the razor to not smoothly glide across the skin, or not be able to reach every hair. The razor bumps can be uncomfortable on the skin and can lead to areas of dark spots.
Similar to shaving or waxing, another common cause for hyperpigmentation is due to frequent friction or chafing of the specific area. Friction or chafing can occur when wearing tight clothing, such as pants or underwear, especially after a hair removal treatment.
The frequent rubbing of the skin that causes the friction gives a feeling of trauma to the delicate skin, and it then wants to protect itself by releasing increased melanin to the specific area.
The uneven distribution of melanin to the chaffed area can then cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots to occur as a result. While the friction is often caused materials such as tight clothing, it can also occur from skin rubbing against itself as well.
How Do You Avoid Dark Spots On The Bikini Line?
There are several easy ways that you can avoid dark spots on the bikini line through small adjustments to your body care routine. One of the ways to prevent dark spots from occurring is to opt for a different hair removal method from shaving, such as laser hair removal.
As far as shaving goes, it is important to avoid using a blunt or dull razor, as that is more likely to cause razor bumps or ingrown hairs.
Along with using a fresh or non-dull razor, it is also helpful to use a shaving gel or cream that is moisturizing or ideal for sensitive skin (like this one from eos).
By using a moisturizing shaving cream, the razor will be able to glide along the skin easily, while the formula will also work to soften and hydrate the skin. This will also help to reduce the likeliness of ingrown hairs from appearing.
Making sure to exfoliate the skin prior to shaving (we love this exfoliant from First Aid Beauty) will also help to avoid potential ingrown hairs, as well as razor bumps, that can lead to discoloration. Ridding the skin of any buildup of dead skin cells will help the razor smoothly and cleanly glide along the skin, as well.
How Do You Get Rid Of Ingrown Hairs?
If you notice any ingrown hairs appearing, treat and remove as soon after they appear as possible, in order to avoid any discoloration from building.
In order to remove or treat an ingrown hair, it is important to first apply a warm compress to the area in order to soften and relax the skin. The ingrown hair will eventually become closer to the surface, and once the hair has reached the surface, you will be able to gently pull the hair from under the surface.
However, you do not want to tweeze or pluck the hair away, just pull enough to ensure it is able to grow above the surface of the skin.
You can also apply topical solutions to ingrown hairs to treat them, including salicylic acid (we use this salicylic acid from Paula’s Choice). Frequent exfoliation will help prevent and eliminate ingrown hairs as well, which will prevent the appearance of dark spots occurring in the long run.
As mentioned above with the friction or chafing that can cause dark spots to occur, wearing looser fitting clothes will help to minimize the chance of hyperpigmentation in the specific area.
Especially after a hair removal treatment, wearing looser clothes as well as being mindful of the fabric will help ease and eliminate the skin’s irritation from friction.
For example, cotton undergarments are less likely to cause friction on the skin, which will help prevent any uncomfortable chafing from occurring in the specific area.
How Can You Remove Existing Dark Spots On The Bikini Line?
If you are already experiencing dark spots on the bikini line, or know from experience you are prone to getting ingrown hairs or hyperpigmentation, there are several ways you can incorporate into your routine to diminish their appearance.
The first way to work on eliminating the appearance of existing dark spots is to ensure the area of the skin is well-prepped and exfoliated.
Making sure to exfoliate the skin will help to eliminate the buildup of dead skin cells, which can further enhance the appearance of discoloration, as well as contribute to the occurrence of further dark spots.
Along with proper exfoliation, using different products or oils with ingredients that will help diminish the appearance of dark spots will help brighten uneven skin tones.
Using a scrub that is formulated with lemon extract, for example, works to help reduce the discoloration of dark spots while also exfoliating the skin. Lemon has natural exfoliation properties, which contribute to the brightening and toning benefits it provides to the skin.
Applications of topical oils, such as coconut oil, helps to retain skin’s moisture while also nourishing and softening the skin.
It has antibacterial properties, as well, to protect skin’s sensitivity. Jojoba and tea tree oils are also great treatments to apply to the delicate area to diminish hyperpigmentation. Jojoba oil is an ingredient that is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin and ease any irritation or inflammation that can occur.
Tea tree oil also helps to calm the skin from any irritation. It is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal oil that also has skin balancing properties to protect and prevent against discoloration that can come from ingrown or breakouts.
After shaving or waxing the bikini area, it is important to keep the skin feeling well-moisturized, as another method of reducing the appearance of dark spots.
Especially in the summer months, it is important to ensure you are frequently wearing and applying SPF to the affected areas, to prevent further discoloration from appearing.
Can Dark Spots Occur In Other Areas?
Although it is a common occurrence for dark spots to appear on the bikini line, due to the delicate nature of the skin, it is also common for dark spots to occur in other areas as well.
Hyperpigmentation can exist in the skin for many reasons, not just related to shaving or waxing. Common areas for dark spots and hyperpigmentation to appear are the face, legs, inner thighs, and underarm areas.
Hyperpigmentation and dark spots can appear on the skin over time due to a variety of factors. For example, hormonal imbalances can be a likely cause for hyperpigmentation as it can be related to an over-production of melanin in the skin that gets unevenly distributed.
Scars or marks left behind due to persistent acne breakouts can lead to the area becoming dark and uneven overtime, resulting in areas of discoloration on the face.
Similarly to acne scars, skin damage from the sun can make its way to the surface of the skin overtime, resulting in areas of hyperpigmentation that lead to uneven areas of the skin commonly on the face, arms, and chest.
Final Thoughts
Overall, dark spots on and around the bikini line are a persistent burden that can be particularly frustrating in the summer months.
Especially as the area will get increased sun exposure due to wearing bathing suits or trips to the beach, it is important to make sure you are frequently applying sun protection to the affected area, as well as the body overall.
Being sure to apply SPF to the areas that are already showing dark spots, will help prevent any further discoloration from appearing, such as the uneven spots becoming darker.
While hyperpigmentation around the bikini line can happen at any time, for various reasons, most often it is due to shaving, waxing, or chafing of the sensitive area.
The skin of the bikini line is especially sensitive, so frequently irritating the skin there can result in excess melanin being deposited in a specific area in an effort to protect the skin.
In order to prevent any dark spots from appearing, it is important to keep the area well-moisturized, use a fresh razor when shaving, and exfoliate the area frequently to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells that can contribute to razor bumps or ingrown hairs.
To make sure the skin does not experience any discomfort from friction or chafing, it is helpful to wear looser fitting garments, especially post-bikini line treatment.
If you are looking to diminish the appearance of existing dark spots on the bikini line, finding the right topical products, as well as frequent exfoliation, will help to reduce their appearance.
Ingredients like lemon, coconut oil, or vitamin C will work to naturally exfoliate the skin, while also brightening and evening out the skin tone for a more even appearance.
Although hyperpigmentation around the bikini line can be tricky to deal with, knowing what causes the dark spots to occur as well as the best ways to combat their appearance will help you to avoid any dark spots in the future while also working to diminish any existing areas of discoloration!
For more tips and tricks, check out this video from Doctorly on YouTube.
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