Wel for the bikini area, it is never reccommended for it to be shaved. to shave this area is seen as a beauty sin. every other method of hair removal is better than shaving -for the bikini area!!!!!!

Ooh hang on there missus

I'll just break down the name pseduofolliculitis barbae for those who don't understand Latin (so...erm...that's all of us then ) pseudo (false) follicle (hair) itis (inflammation) barbae (of the beard)....this is actually a condition that effects only men and hirsute women.

You can also get pseudofolliculitis on the back of your neck (well, men and hirsute women can), which is then called pseudofolliculitis nuchae.

This condition occurs when hairs exit the follicle shaft then curl back and re-enter the skin adjacent to the follicle shaft. It is exacerbated by shaving because shaving leaves the hair tip very sharp and therefore much more efficient at re-entering the skin.

This condition mainly effects men of African descent, because of the exceptional curliness of their hair. (look some pics up on the internet....the whole beard area of these guys is covered by pustular papules and keloid scarring....I can't imagine the pain....poor blokes).

The condition pseudofolliculitis pubis effects the pubic hair of both sexes, but it takes some proper wirey/curly pubic hair to cause a bad case of pseudofolliculitis pubis.

Pseudofolliculitis cannot really occur on calf/thigh/arm hair, because it mainly effects terminal hair, not vellous hair. Vellous hair is too straight and too fine to be able to curl back on itself with any sort of conviction, unless of course it has already been distorted by waxing (and even then there's not much chance).

Just thought I'd better clear that up before gigi's expert friend comes to join us

Maybe we don't need her ... looks like we've got an expert already .. YOU!! Thank you.

Excuse me all, apparently I have upset one individual in this thread by even suggesting that I ask an industry expert to join the nail geek to help give advice in times of conflicting opinions such as there has been in this thread.

Again, apparently, I have been rude and insulting to this individual personally, even though I was not aiming my suggestion at any individual at all.

I thought everyone would like to have an industry head here on the skin geek, even though there are obviously some pretty knowledgeable skin geeks here already. I was not meaning to insult anyones knowledge or expertise just offering what I thought would be a helpful tool in times of conflict. Most geeks in the past have seemed to think it was positively marvelous to have access to industry experts on the nail geek ... why would it not be the same right here?

Any way humble apologies to any I have unintentionally offended with my suggestion. I'M STILL GOING TO ASK HER THOUGH

Always great to have more than one expert opinion. I've learned loads already from the Skin Geek, shame some people feel intimidated by new members. Shame also that some people misinterpret a good intention.

The more experts, the better, in my opinion.

Excellent, informative post Amy.

I'm with the positively marvellous gang

And clairet...thanks

I for the life of me can't imagine why anyone wouldn't value the input of leading industry professionals - surely it's how we all learn and grow to be the best therapists we can be, even if that means having our views and comfort zones challenged from time to time?

I'd rather be at the cutting edge, not so set in my ways that I'm not prepared to listen to anyone else and get left behind as a result.

What a fantastic opportunity - bring on the experts, I say!

We can never know enough although there are those that think they already do.Unfortunately they are the ones who wont be told.
I think it's a good idea to bring on as many experts as are willing.

Thank you Geeg. You haven't offended me and I'm the one who wants the question answered once and for all! lol
The majority are saying stick to shaving and thats what I'm gonna do unless your expert friend tells me something different!

Well I shave my legs every few days. I love it when they are waxed, but can't stand the waiting and the growing the long hair until they can be waxed again!! I have been lucky maybe and never have an ingrowing hair. It does not sound nice at all. I also shave my bikini line too and have never had a problem there!! It may be an industry no no but it has worked for me for more than 30 years!!

It's not an industry no no at all..The only reason we recommend ladies dont shave 'down below',is because when you get the re-growth it itches like crazy,whereas when you wax the hair is tapered and dosn't itch.
My daughter shaves down below.She is a qualified beauty therapist as well but chooses to shave as she has a low pain threshold and wont be waxed or wax herself.
I would never shave down below,cannot stand the itching with the regrowth.
Neither of us suffer with ingrown hairs yet we both use different depilation methods.