AUGUST 2023 | 5 Minute Read
By Madame Sweat
Lightening the bikini area has always been labeled as a somewhat taboo topic… but it shouldn’t be. Darkened skin in this intimate region can be a confidence dampener, but this is incredibly common and with the right approach and treatment, a dark, bumpy and uneven bikini area can be improved.
I must caution though that many embark on a mission to lighten their bikini area without knowing the causes and can end up doing more harm than good with viral hacks and DIY recipes. It’s for this reason that I always advise educating yourself before jumping into treatments for an area as delicate as the bikini line.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know to lighten the bikini area – easily, safely, 100% naturally.
Picture this: you’re in an intimate situation or you’ve got your favorite bikini on, but there’s a subtle shadow and texture that’s been bothering you. Darkening in the bikini area is a common concern, and understanding why it happens is the first step towards treating the issue.
One thing I’d like to note is your skin colour and type has a lot to do with why you may experience a dark bikini area. Those with melanin-rich, skin of colour and sensitive skin are highly susceptible to pigmentation cause by inflammation and irritation.
Friction from tight clothing such as leggings or ill-fitting panties can lead to skin irritation, triggering melanin production and, you guessed it, darkening. If you suspect this is the case, especially if you have pigmentation that extends down to the inner thighs, or is especially dark where your panties rub against your skin, opt for loose, breathable options with more comfortable seams to keep friction at bay.
Hair removal trauma is no joke! Frequent and improper shaving or waxing can lead to pesky ingrown hairs and skin irritation, resulting in stubborn dark spots.
Shaving may seem harmless, but it can actually be the biggest culprit, so if this is your main choice of pubic hair removal, keep reading as I have a fool-proof guide linked below for a pain and irritation free bikini shave that will help minimize trauma and thus cause less pigmentation problems down the line.
If you are using products down there that contain irritating ingredients such as fragrance, alcohols or scrubs that are causing micro-tears, this is another reason why you may be experiencing pigmentation issues.
Fluctuations during periods, pregnancy, or due to medical conditions such as PCOS, diabetes and many others can send your melanin production into overdrive, leading to uneven skin tone.
If you suspect a hormonal imbalance is the cause, it’s best to seek the advice of a doctor for proper diagnosis and management of your condition.
Sun-kissed skin might be on your wishlist, but overexposure to UV rays can lead to hyperpigmentation – and the bikini line is no exception. The delicate bikini area is even more susceptible, so SPF is a must if your bikini line will be getting sun exposure.
As I mentioned in the beginning, sometimes you can do more harm than good when attempting to lighten your bikini area. Oftentimes we look to viral hacks on social media, or find DIY recipes that are “natural” but either ineffective, or are incredibly irritating and end up making the pigmentation worse and cause it to come back even more severe.
Always remember, natural doesn’t always mean safe. It’s best to exercise caution in this delicate area and avoid homemade sugar scrubs, lemon juice and things like glycolic acid hacks that are simply too harsh for the area.
Learn more about rebound hyperpigmentation here.
When embarking on the task to lighten the bikini area, you must tackle the issue in two ways:
If you only do one and not the other, your efforts will go to waste and you’ll be left frustrated with the problem.
I’ve shared the most common causes of bikini area irritations above, and if you minimize hair removal trauma while ensuring your attire doesn’t cause friction and chafing, you will already be miles ahead.
If you are susceptible to ingrown hairs that are infected, I recommend using an exfoliating product prior to shaving or hair removal that is gentle, but also has actives like salicylic acid to exfoliate and tea tree oil which is disinfecting and will prevent infected hair follicles that leads to dark spots.
If you shave down there, as most people do, I’ve put together a downloadable guide that gives you a step by step technique to shaving without irritation and to minimize ingrown hairs that cause inflammation and infections. Follow it to get a better shave that leads to less pigmentation issues down the line.
We’ve already established DIY solutions are not always a good idea, even if they are natural. Also, your skin goes through a lot after shaving and hair removal, that’s why having a post-hair removal product that soothes and brightens is key.
When I created my bikini bright milk, I developed a pH balanced, all natural formula that is both soothing and brightening and without alcohol or fragrance so that it doesn’t burn, sting or cause skin peeling like other more toxic formulas.
The bikini bright is an all in one solution to brighten dark spots, soothe irritation and razor burn, and manage ingrown hairs.
Made with a soothing ingredient called Canadian Willowherb™ which is an incredibly resilient plant that grows after forest fires and has been traditionally used for years by Native American communities to heal cuts and wounds. This ingredient helps to calm skin irritation which I’ve mentioned is a cause of hyperpigmentation.
I also formulated it with all natural 10% azelaic acid which is a tyrosine inhibitor that brightens while calming redness and irritation, and 1% alpha arbutin, an incredibly effective skin brightener, a melanin suppressor, and is a safe and natural derivative of hydroquinone (a controversial brightening ingredient).
This uniquely powerful It’s also housed in a roller ball applicator making it incredibly easy to apply, and leaves a matte finish that helps with chafing as well.
Having a dark bikini area is nothing to be ashamed of and is much more common than you may think. If this is something that bothers you, there are natural and safe ways to lighten the bikini area, however you must also address the root causes that you can affect like better hair removal techniques and minimizing friction and chafing.
Using a natural brightening product that was formulated for the area like the bikini bright milk will go a long way in lightening the bikini area and give you the results you are looking for.
Just remember, patience and consistency is key with any brightening journey.
All content found on this website is created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
Clean beauty industry maven and product developer Madame Sweat (Mary Futher) founded kaia naturals after spending 20 years working for global beauty companies. She now shares advice on modern hygiene etiquette for grooming, hosting, home and travel on Instagram, TikTok and her popular blog called The House of Hygiene.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 KAIA NATURALS | TERMS & CONDITION | PRIVACY POLICY
