My lakeside/poolside vacation begins in t-minus four days and I am prepping my bikini line and underarm areas for a lot more exposure than they’re used to. This means hair removal, and hair removal means fighting the scourge of ingrown hairs.
I’ve used a lot of weapons in this battle for a smooth, blemish-free bikini line. Some worked well but were too expensive to keep up long-term (see: Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads), others were effective in the beginning but faded over time (see: Whish Flawless Ingrown Serum). And every time that I wrote about a product that fought ingrown hair, someone would leave a comment saying that I should try Tend Skin. So I decided to take your advice.
When you first apply Tend Skin to freshly waxed or shaved skin, the sensation is a little like pouring Listerine on an open mouth sore. And should it make contact with broken skin, I will not blame you at all if you burst into tears. Lord knows I did. But the burning sensation means that it’s working. (At least, that’s what I tell myself.)
The primary ingredients in this product are alcohol and acetylsalicylic acid. So it kills bacteria and exfoliates like a dream. Last week, I developed an ingrown issue under one of my arms (never use a dull razor, lesson learned), and Tend Skin cleaned it up in just one application. Needless to say, I am very pleased with how well it works, but you do have to be diligent about applying it. I missed a couple of days and was really sorry that I did.
I chose the roll-on for two reasons: first, at 2.5 ounces, it conforms with the TSA’s draconian liquids policy, and second, it can be refilled from a larger bottle so you can save money. (A little goes a long way, I could probably bequeath this 8oz bottle to my grandchildren.) And I like that I can buy Tend Skin at the drugstore, so unlike the Bliss and Whish products, I can pick it up anywhere.
Final Verdict: Great product, good value, just ignore the burning sensation when used on freshly waxed skin…it’ll pass.
Editor’s note: If you have an aspirin allergy, do not use this product.
Which DC drugstore have you found it at?! I’ve been looking all over the city for it- not even Blue Mercury carries Tend Skin. Yay!
I found it at the Bed Bath and Beyond in Columbia Heights- it is in the men’s shaving section. It is even a little cheaper than what most other places have it listed.
HI all,
Thanks for the kind words about our Tend Skin product! It should be in Bluemercury. We certainly sell them enough of it! check the men’s section as with Bed Bath and Beyond. I keep telling buyers NOT to put the product in the men’s section but only Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada has listened so far and their sales have skyrocketed.
Also, comments were made about the product causing a burning sensation. Unfortunately, we have to use a non-water based solution. here is a tip. You don’t need very much of the product to get the job done. You only need to lightly dampen the area with a thin coat. This will keep stinging way down.
Also, try using it at night before sleep and leave on all night BEFORE shaving. that may alleviate having to use it after shaving and eliminate sting altogether.
Finally, be sure your razor ALWAYS feels like a new blade. As soon as it loses the new blade feel, do not hesitate to replace it. Sharp blades cut cleaner and cause less excoriation of the skin surface meaning less stinging. Also, dull blades can increase the tendency to form ingrown hairs. Any questions, you can e-mail me at sales@tendskin.com
Blue Mercury in Clarendon carries Tend Skin. Just got it on Saturday. Love it!
Also Belle, another BPGP you should try is Got2B Dry Shampoo. On your recommendation, I’ve been using and liking Psst dry shampoo for the last year, but bought Got2B the other day when CVS didn’t have Psst, and I have to say, it is the BEST dry shampoo I’ve ever tried! It sprays better, isn’t as powdery, doesn’t smell as strong, doesn’t dry out your hair, and holds the style better than anything I’ve tried. I even like it better then my expensive Oribe!
Not to get too personal here, but can anyone who’s used this tell me if it would work on chronic ingrown hairs that happen even when you haven’t recently shaved?
It should. It keeps working for me long after the initial wax.
When you say that you have to be diligent about applying it can you be more specific? How often are you supposed to use it? Just after you shave or even on days that you don’t?
I use it after every shower for the first 10 days after. Then every 2 or 3 days after that.
I was able to buy Tend Skin at the Sephora store in Georgetown. My esthetician recommended it, and I’ve been very pleased with the results.
It’s also available on Amazon and soap.com (FYI, you get 3 months of free priority shipping with no minimum purchase when you first join soap.com!)
This stuff is the best. I’m allergic to aspirin and i still use it. I apply it really carefully with a q-tip just on the bumps.