Though the vagina does a great job at cleaning and maintaining itself, ladies still need to pay close attention to how they care for it.
Here are important things to remember to stay fresh and healthy ‘down there.’
Use a mild wash
There are a lot of feminine wash brands out there, but it’s best to choose the mildest kind, unless your gynecologist recommends otherwise.
In choosing the best kind of wash for you, try to avoid heavily scented kinds. Other ingredients to look out for are lactic acid, glycerin, and sodium lauryl sulphate, which are good for cleansing, moisturizing, and keeping your vaginal PH level balanced.
Avoid douching as much as possible
Douches may promise a more thorough cleaning, but it may be doing your lady parts more harm than good.
In those with vaginal infections, for instance, douching may keep foul odor and itching at bay, but it may also cause the infection to spread, warns Medicinet.com. Regular douching has also been found to irritate the vagina and aggravate sexually transmitted diseases.
photo: pixabay
Wipe the right way
Remember to wipe from front to back. Most of us already know this, but we often forget or take it for granted when we’re in a rush. Why is this so important? It’s so we can avoid contracting UTI (urinary tract infection), as wiping the other way can increase the chances of feces coming into contact with our urethra and cause infection.
Trim and exfoliate before waxing or hair removal
Cutting your pubic hair as close to the skin as possible will lessen the sting of waxing. If you prefer shaving, it’s very important to apply a mild and gentle exfoliant. You’ve probably heard the beauty tip of exfoliating to remove dead skin before shaving your legs, right? Well, the same concept applies to your private parts, as it helps you shave more effectively as it allows you to get as close to the skin as possible.
Here are more Dos and Don’ts of shaving, according to HerCampus.com:
- Use mild lotion to moisturze after shaving
- Bathe before shaving to soften hair
- Apply a shaving cream and lather it up. Don’t use regular soap to avoid dryness and irritation.
As for at-home waxing using homemade wax or waxing strips, here are important things to remember:
- Make sure your hands are clean before waxing
- Try some practice waxing on your legs before applying the strips to your pubic hair.
- Make sure the temperature of hot wax is just right!
- Remember not to overdo wax application and to spread it out in the same direction.
- The waxing may be painful, but you’ll get used to it.
- For any excess hair, use tweezers. Avoid waxing in the same place twice! Because this can cause scarring and bleeding.
Do you have any tried-and-tested tips we missed out on? Let us know in the comments below.
READ: 6 Things you should never do to your vagina
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