I've been shaving completely for some time now, and have found the following really reduce irritation and those nasty and painful red bumps:

1. Lather yourself up with a good sensitive skin shaving cream or gel, or a product made specifically for the bikini area (Walmart carries one that's blue, but I can't remember the name of it).

2. Shave downwards first, then across, from side to side, then finally upwards.  This gives you a nice smooth shave.

3. Finish up by shaving around your labia - downwards first, then upwards.

4. Use an aloe-based gel or lotion, or a sensitive skin lotion to further help avoid irritation and bumps.

Like others have said, always use a good razor (I use Venus) with fresh blades!

Happy shaving!  

Firm Hottie

I personally prefer the shaven smooth look because it simply looks more feminine and sensuous as does other female body shaving... This is of course my preference, but ultimately it's up to you...

By the way if you are looking for shaving tips... A razor like Mach III (or the lady Venus) work very well... With some form of cream or lubrication on the skin surface works great for avoiding irritation... I also pluck the new tiny hairs after to avoid the red bumps and itching...

I've never tried a "Hollywood" wax (like a Brazillian, only completely waxed) but I know they work great and last around a month or so... They are just a little pricey... But the girls I know who do this, swear by them

It's what you feel comfortable with really. Personally I prefer trimmed but you shouldn't feel you have to unless it's an issue for some reason between you.

As others have mentioned... you shouldn't feel you HAVE to do anything! I love a completely shaved muff... allows for maximum tongue work without having to deal with hair in my mouth. Having said that... I am equally turned on by a well-trimmed pussy. For me, it says a lot that a woman will take the time to make things look nice/sexy down there, regardless of whether she leaves any hair!

I just love to eat out dear wifes pussy with NO hair SSSOOOOOOO good

Shaving goooooooood! I could deal with trimmed, but shaved is nice. GF shaves the front area and leaves a strip of hair. So sexy.... although Im not allowed to look at it ahahhahahaha, its funny. She so shy.

m.

Well, I'm a guy and I shave everything except armpit and pube hair. I use the regular MachIII razor and do it about once or twice per week, anything more than that makes me bleed.

I also use either vaseline on my genitals (at night) or baby powder and sleep nude. Maybe that's what you need to do.

Whatever you are comfortable with is fine i just make sure everything is neat and tidy as dont want any "stay hairs" peeking out from the side of my bikini!!!

I DID'T FIND A REPLAY FROM A MAN SO , I'LL TELL YOU . I LIKE A SHAVED PO**Y IT''S VERY SOFT IN ORAL MY WIFE USE WAX OR SOMTING ELAS WE MAKE AT HOME FROM LEMON AND SUGAR . BUT IN MY OPENION A LITTEL HAIR AT THE TOP IS GOOD ALSO TATO ON THE TOP IS GREAT

I leave a little bit of hair, but shave the rest of it, especially the lower part. I have blonde hair and it's kinda fine, so keeping it shaved hasnt' been a problem. My b/f likes to eat me out and doesn't like a lot of hair in the way.

Well, shaving it really isn't all that bad. You'll have irritation the first few times you do it, but it eventually goes away.
I've only cut myself once on the "lip" area down there and that's cause I was using kind of a dull blade. But other than that ocassional knick on the mound (just like that ocassional one you get on your legs), I haven't had any problems shaving down there.

I have no idea about waxing though as I don't use it myself.

I have found recently though that putting pure aloe gel on it (like the same gel you would put on a sunburn) does help cut down on the irritation.
I have a problem with my legs where I can only shave them once a week because whenever I start growing new hairs, I break out and if I try to shave on top of those break outs, I just cause irritation and cuts and scabs soon form. It's not worth it.
But I've found using the aloe has cut down on that on my legs and has stopped a lot of the itching and it's helped for my mound area as well. I'm barely itching at all.

what's the best way to shave that area anyways? I've heard that using wax would be okay, and thinking of using a blazor kinda scares me cuz it seems like it will hurt more? if wax is ok..then can i use those for armpits for shaving that area as well? cu i use wax for armpits too..i just wanna find out the most safest and least hurtful way =\ though i know it will hurt for any kinda ways

Thanks for the tip mmparks, been wondering what would be a good oil or lotion for that area. I have also found that the Venus razor works the best also.

Brandye:

Of course I dont know the ethnicity of any of you.. but my dad is full blooded blackfoot.. and so Im 1/2 blackfoot... very thich black hair.. on my head and pubic region. I shave it to a strip. I used to get it waxed ( partial brazillian) but lately Im just shaving. There are times I get a bad rash... usually inthe summer though. I use a product called "coochie shave" and sometimes " Shave secrets" .. both are great products and I use a TON of jojoba oil as an aftershave and rub it in GOOD. I also use a new razor every time I shave that region. NO DISPOSABLES.. they suck. Use a good one like venus.

WHy Im tellimng this: yeah, men may like the unshaven caucasion type of pubic hair.. but get an ethnic pubic region thats unshaven and its like you need a machete to find the clit.

You do not have to do anything. I have doing it for over twenty years, never shaved my pubic hair and never received a complaint. If they want shaved, find a shaved one.

My avatar shows what is there!

me personally I preffer shaved completely.. I like the smooth feeling and so does my b.f he also shaves which to me is a real big turn on.. I love his smooth balls and when I apply moist..a personal lubricant that feels real silky my hands glide over them...  tho for me dosen't really matter can't see the hair anyways..lol being a natural blond well u know  

I use to like mine well trimed but lately in my age I perfer mine to be shaved with a little strip. I find it as much as a turn. But you should do what is comfortable for you. It is your body. Take care all.

you do not have to do anything you dont wanna do, and im like you, i do the insides of my legs... beacuse i was stupid once.. and well shaved everything LOL so now its an up keep, but instead of shaving getting a bikini wax is the easiest... and it lasts longer, and like 1/4th the irritation if at all..

For guys? if its a turn on WHO CARES.. lol seriously.. who cares.. its YOURS.. you gotta DEAL WITH IT lol you gotta deal with the bumps, the ingrown hair, the bleeding.. the "opps, i cut myself".. and if you dont wana put up with that.. then dont. you shouldnt have to base or justify the things you do because some guy might think its a turn on.. and u know if a guy doesnt like you for how you are.. thats too bad :P they arent good enough for you anyway.

I duno, personally.. it shouldnt matter. but it might get out of control if its like a congo.. but i mean... you can work around it, if thats what you wanna keep ;)

Wel i certainly can't speek for most men, but i personally prefer trimmed, but not shaved.

Well no, you don't HAVE to shave.
However, the more often you do it, the more you will get used to it. Every now and then I get an irritation but then I just let it grow for about a week and a half or 2 (instead of the normal week) and it'll be cleared up and ready to shave again.

And it really all just depends on the guy.
I used to not shave at all. Did he like it anyways? Yes.
Then as a present for him last January as a matter of fact, I decided to shave. So I left a strip on the mound. He still liked it. So instead of trying to maintain that, I just shaved it all off. He absolutely loves it that way. It's his preference...but as I said, he would still liked it the other way.
So really, it's not really a turn off to a lot of guys because you know, what's under the hair is what matters. lol. But most of them probably perfer it trimmed because it saves them the trouble of gagging on a few hairs when they're giving you oral.