6 Best Bikini Trimmers for a Very Close Shave

It depends. “If you’re looking to trim your hair a certain length, bikini trimmers will give you a more accurate result,” says Elizabeth Maul, group insights and innovation officer at Bic. Manual and electric razors, on the other hand, will give you a smoother, closer, and cleaner shave (as will waxing, if you’re aiming for that full-on hairless look). Regardless of which route you choose, Maul suggests keeping two things in mind: Make sure that your razor or trimmer is sharp (not blunt) and clean. A blunt razor can lead to cutting, and dirty tools can lead to infections. You’ll also want to be sure you exfoliate before and after hair removal.

“Ingrown hairs are often inevitable but can be prevented in two ways: prepping the skin properly and using the right tools,” says Maul. “The best trimmers (or shavers) to avoid ingrown hairs are those designed to glide easily across the skin and those that prevent hair buildup.” When blades get clogged, they tug at hairs, making it hard to get a smooth shave and leading to ingrown hairs. You’ll want to be sure you clean your trimmer (more on that below) and invest in a good bikini-line exfoliator.

Skin prep is crucial to a smooth shave. Experts recommend using a bikini line exfoliator on your skin before any sort of hair removal (be it trimming, shaving, or waxing) for at least a day, and again one to two days following removal. Doing so removes dead skin, softens the area, and makes it easier for the blades to glide—ultimately helping prevent cuts, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and other irritations. If you’re using the trimmer on wet skin or hair, soak the area in warm water for a few minutes first.

Some bikini trimmers are meant to be used only on dry skin and hair, and some can be used wet. The trimmer is designed to give your pubic area a haircut (and not to totally remove hair). Removing hair for the first time in a long while? Consider trimming your pubes with grooming scissors before using the electric tool.

Maryam Safee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in LA and founder of ManeRx, recommends to always using a preshave oil or shaving cream to start. We love the Billie Shave Glaze Shaving Oil for this because it has a super-nourishing blend of soybean, grapeseed, and sunflower seed oils to lubricate the skin and help you get the smoothest shave possible.

Once the shave oil or cream is applied, adjust the trimmer’s guides according to just how close of a cut you want. The trimmer’s comb protects it from fully contacting your skin and causing pain. Once it’s turned on, you can gently move the trimmer’s comb in slow, short strokes across the bikini area. Dr. Safee recommends shaving with the grain of the hair to help prevent ingrowns and irritation. When you’re done shaving, pat your legs dry and apply body lotion or body oil to keep your skin hydrated.

As for how often to trim, the dermatologists we spoke with recommend trimming every 1-4 weeks, depending on your preference and how quickly your hair grows. Basically, it’s up to you.

According to Dr. King, you should trim pubic hair when it’s either very dry or slightly damp. “Do not trim hair when it’s fully wet,” she says, as this will make it harder for the device to properly cut.

“Using a dull trimmer is a common mistake when trimming hair on the bikini line. Dull blades can tug and snag, increasing the risk of cuts or irritation,” says Dr. King. She recommends using a guard on the trimmer to avoid nicks, razor burn, and uneven trimming. It’s also key to prep (with a gentle exfoliator) and wash the skin before trimming to prevent ingrown hairs, and to thoroughly clean your tools to eliminate the risk of infection.

There are no explicit disadvantages when trimming pubic hair, according to the dermatologists we spoke with. They just recommend keeping the trimmer clean to avoid the risk of infection. To do so, brush away stray hairs after use (either with the trimmer’s included brush or a dry toothbrush). This prevents clogging (which can lead to razor bumps and skin irritation). If the trimmer is water-resistant, rinse it off, then wipe it down with a clean paper towel.

We researched expert-recommended and best-selling bikini trimmers before narrowing the list to 16 models tested by 3 contributors (including me). Each device was used on our bikini lines and bodies, following manufacturer’s instructions and trying any included attachments. Testers provided feedback based on the trimmer’s overall design, comfort on sensitive skin, ability to navigate curves and tricky spots, effectiveness, battery life, waterproofness, ease of cleaning, and value for the price. We’re happy to report that some of the devices, particularly the Meridian trimmer, have been a staple in a few of our routines for the past two years.