Think of putting on a bathing suit and concern for preventing pubic hair from putting in a “peek a boo” appearance leads to the inevitable question of hair removal. When contemplating a sleek bikini line sans bikini bumps, concentrate upon both removal technique and treatment.

Are you acne prone after shaving? Then fall back upon a standard medicated ingredient for prevention: benzoyl peroxide. No longer relegated to prescription status, using a BPO-based shaving product such as Peter Thomas Roth BPO 2 1/2% Medicated Shaving Cream can make a world of difference. Follow this up with one of your favorite options above and wear your bikini with flare!

Whether shaving, waxing, lasering or using a chemical depilatory, inflammation breeds bikini bumps. To help counteract irritation and trauma, some experts recommend rubbing an ice cube over the shaved bikini area to reduce redness and discomfort. The use of No Bump RX contains acetaminophen, the active ingredient in such pain killer medications as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Reduce the inflammation, contain the flare-up of unwanted, unsightly bikini bumps.

Or consider taking a Tylenol or Advil before you shave to reduce the amount of inflammation that may arise. You’ll be able to skip the alcohol and still reap the benefits.

Another option to reduce skin inflammation: look to GHK Copper Peptides. Best known for their use in skin rejuvenation, these handy little molecules first made their presence known in the wound-healing world. Try a dab of Neova After Shave Therapy after shaving and see if you don’t get some well-deserved relief.

For bumps that form despite your best efforts, M.D. Forte Glycare Perfection Gel is a blend of potent glycolic acid compound and salicylic acid (BHA). Sulfur-based therapy may also be beneficial such as Rezamid Acne Treatment Lotion or . Remember that the bikini area, particularly if freshly shaved, is sensitive and it is important to try to avoid irritation.

Cellulite

Between 80 and 90 percent of women will develop cellulite after the age of 18. Few men will develop cellulite. Hardly fair, the causes of cellulite are thought to be due to a combination of factors including hormonal, aging, genetics and possibly a female difference in fat layer architecture. Cellulite may not be curable but you can improve unsightly puckering by understanding cellulite and how to take control. What exactly is cellulite?

Cellulite is the unsightly dimpling and puckering of the skin most often involving the thighs and buttocks. While most women carry their weight gain in these areas, you don’t have to be overweight to have cellulite. As we age, collagen and elastin bundles break down, weakening the dermis. We are all familiar with what the end result is upon our face... wrinkles. But on the legs and buttocks, in response to this loss of dermal elasticity, the fat can become displaced into the lower dermis. Fibrous bands that are supposed to tether the skin down start to trap this displaced fat creating the lumpy bumpy appearance of cellulite. Think of a quilted mattress (the fat) with the buttons as the tether points (the fibrous bands) and you get the idea.

So how do you get rid of that cottage cheese sitting on your thighs? Seems like there are cellulite “cures” advertised in every magazine you pick up or every infomercial you watch. So far, the FDA has only approved a nonsurgical form of deep massage called endermologie for temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite. Endermologie came to us from France where it has been used for at least 10 years.

Deep mechanical massage can indeed help improve the appearance of cellulite (although highly dependent upon the skill of the masseuse), there has been great interest in home massage. A variety of massage tools with rubber tips, wooden balls and even motorized massage heads are sold with claims of helping improve the appearance of cellulite. These devices tend to be inexpensive, often less than $10.00 for the simple wooden tools. From a practical standpoint I think you may increase your chances by having someone else administer the home massage as they can apply a more direct pressure upon the skin. I take a realistic view of these. While I don’t think they’ll harm you, provided you’re not massaging to the point of bruising, I think they will provide limited improvement. Still, a modicum of improvement if it happens is better than none at all.

Personally if you are thinking of this as an option you would be better off using DermaNew Microdermabrasion Total Body Experience with the massage head and alternate the use with the exfoliator. That way at least you would get smooth glowing skin and enjoy the massage aspect as well.

A litany of cellulite creams are out there, most of which contain the active ingredient theophylline best known for its use as an asthma medication. The topical application of theophylline does not cure cellulite but rather temporarily plumps up the skin for a few hours creating a smoother texture.

If we could strengthen the dermis, which thins with age and contributes to the formation of cellulite we could theoretically prevent or improve cellulite. Studies have shown that the use of topical L-Ascorbic acid helps promote the formation of collagen bundles by stimulating fibroblast activity within the dermis. Cellex-C has been documented to have this ability. Cellex-C Body Smoothing Lotion should not be thought of as “the cure”, but in combination with deep massage or endermologie, your diet and exercise you may at least help make the skin look smoother and supple in the same manner that Cellex-C helps with puffiness and fine lines on the face and neck.

Pills have absolutely no effect upon cellulite. Cellasene has not been proven in medical literature to improve the appearance of cellulite or take off inches.

In some way it is comforting to know that almost all women get some degree of cellulite. It seems to be one of those sisterhood things and you will most definitely not be the only one in a bathing suit with a hint of dimpling. It is equally comforting to know that there are some steps we can take to help improve its appearance.

Sea Creatures

Microscopic creatures of the deep lurk somewhere out in turquoise waters to turn our day upside down. It doesn’t take a Sea Serpent to do in your day at the beach.

What the itchy lumpy, bumpy rash that often accompanies a visit to the beach? Known as Sea Bather’s Eruption, this condition occurs in salty ocean waters and shows up under the bathing suit or possibly around the neckline (wherever long wet hair might cling). Larval forms of the thimble jellyfish (the infancy stage) float freely throughout ocean water, no larger than a fleck of black pepper. Tiny thimble jellyfish larvae become trapped under bathing suits and while still an immature form of jellyfish, still contain the same stinging mechanism that is triggered by pressure. These creatures are mistakenly often referred to as sea lice. Sea lice are actually a parasite that affect fish and do not bother people. The term has simply made its way into the popular vernacular.

Unsuspecting bathers frolicking in ocean waters can trap hundreds or thousands of tiny floating creatures under their bathing suits. Removing your bathing suit ASAP and even changing into another bathing suit can help reduce your chances of rupturing the tiny venomous sacks once your suit dries off and creates enough friction. Do NOT ride home in the car in your wet suit. Try to shower off with ocean water, not fresh water. Differences in osmotic pressure can trigger the nematocysts, which is why you are never supposed to douse jellyfish stings with fresh water, it’s a different pressure than salt water. Barriers such as wet suits can help minimize the problem.

Safe Sea helps neutralize the firing mechanism located within each individual jellyfish venom sack. Applying Safe Sea before going into ocean water can dramatically reduce developing sea bather’s eruption or getting a nasty jellyfish sting.

Safe Sea lasts for up to 2 hours while you’re out enjoying the surf. Reapply every 2 hours and after you have towel dried. For simplicity and added benefits they have mixed it with an SPF: Safe Sea with SPF 30 or Safe Sea Kids with SPF 30+ so that you have a 2-in-1 product for beach going. A special note to anyone who wears a wet suit: physical sunscreen blocking ingredients can destroy the neoprene in your suit. Skip the SPF and use Safe Sea for Divers and Surfers. Don´t forget to apply the SPF to any sun exposed areas while hanging out on the beach. Nobody wants to lose out on a day at the beach. Now you can protect yourself simply by applying Safe Sea before entering the water.

When planning your time at the beach, March is the start of a problematic U.S. season in which the Florida Coast experiences the initial pangs and every month thereafter, jellyfish float northwards until they reach the shores of Long Island sometime in July or August. In tropical environs, jellyfish are a concern year-round. While there are more than 13,000 members of the phylum Cnidaria that have stinging cells, the Lion’s Mane jellyfish are most common on the East Coast (Cyanea capillata). Sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) is a less common concern.

Sea bather’s eruption is not the same thing as swimmer’s itch. Occurring in fresh water lakes, rivers and streams, swimmer’s itch is due to tiny swimming creatures called cercariae. Too tiny to penetrate through clothing, these inhabitants of the U.S. and Canada create a similar rash on exposed areas of the body. Highly itchy red bumps may look like insect bites and be mistaken as such. Symptoms of itching may lead to scratching so when topical cortisones like Cortaid, oral antihistamines Benadryl, topical anesthetics such as PrameGel, Ela-Max and home remedies like baking soda or oatmeal baths aren’t enough to control the scratching, secondary infection can arise. Make sure that you cleanse any open wounds with hydrogen peroxide and Polysporin Ointment and see your doctor if any further signs of infection arise. Sometimes the doctor may need to prescribe oral antibiotics.

Prepping for swimsuit season goes far beyond the agony of finding a new bathing suit. But taking the time to fine tune your skin-protection strategy can leave it looking like "beaches and cream"!