This summer stop worrying about your bikini line as you enjoy the perfect day at the beach. Smita DeSouza tells you how

We all know that any woman worth her lingerie does her regular down-there de-fuzz. But this summer, the sun, sand and surf call for some major show of skin and the use of minimalistic bikinis. While you're out there enjoying your perfectS day at the beach, the last thing you want to be worrying about is bikini line fuzz. That's why we've found the best ways for you to de-fuzz.

Waxing

A bikini wax removes hair from outside the panty line, a 'Brazilian bikini wax' leaves a closely shorn vertical stripe in the front and the full bikini wax removes everything! Those who swear by waxing claim it's not that painful and completely worth it. However, you need to find someone who is excellent at this. Ask your friends whom they go to and get recommendations on the most painless. Trial-and-error could be a very painful way of finding someone to do your bikini waxing.It's best not to wax just before or as soon as your period starts, as the skin is more sensitive then.

The Upside : Waxing pulls the hair from the root, and therefore hair takes up to four weeks to grow back leaving you stubble-free for longer. And if done regularly, the hair tends to become finer.

The Downside: However, since the hair at the bikini like is coarse, waxing often gives rise to ingrowths and sometimes even pus points. As a result, the bikini area doesn't look clean and smooth even after waxing.

Depilatory Creams

Waxing too painful for you? Or you refuse to sit in all those awkward positions for anyone except your gynaecologist? Try using depilatory creams. These creams work by breaking down the structure of the hair and dissolving the hair just beneath the surface of the skin. You need to do a sensitivity test on a small area of your skin first.

The Upside : This method is painless as compared to the other ones and leaves the skin hair free for several days.

The Downside: Since the depilatory cream has to be strong enough to dissolve and remove the coarse, thick hair at the bikini line, it could damage the skin Since the hair lies flat on the skin surface, while applying, the cream comes in contact with the delicate skin at that area and sometimes causes it to burn or get discoloured.

Shaving

Shaving is an easy and convenient way to de-fuzz. You don't need an appointment with your beautician and you can carry your razor with you anywhere. Only remember to carry extra blades as well. If you're shaving for the first time, you need to trim the hair so that shaving becomes easier. Use a sharp, new blade as old ones lead to razor burn. For a smooth shave it is best to use warm water and a good shaving gel with an inbuilt moisturizer.

The Upside: Shaving is budget friendly, involves less discomfort and can be done anywhere any time.

The Downside : One still needs to worry about producing stubble very fast (sometimes within 24 hours) and small niks and cuts.

Laser

Leading dermatologists say hair removal by laser works best with our dark Indian hair.

A dark hair follicle is necessary because it has more melanin and therefore, absorbs more of the laser light, leading to better results. The more light absorbed, the faster does the root shrivel and the more lasting the results. The area from where the hair is being removed is shaved so that the laser can get close to the root. If the hair is not shaved, the light is absorbed by the longer hair and thus could cause skin damage.

The Upside : Once completed, the results can last for at least up to one year to 10 years.

The Downside : You need to go in for a sitting every four weeks for four to six sessions, after which the area that has been exposed to laser treatment will have about 80 per cent less hair. However one must not wax during the four weeks as waxing removes the hair from the root and minimises the effectiveness of the laser.

Now that you've figured out which bikini line de-fuzz method works best for you, all you have to do is hop on and enjoy your perfect day at the beach!