How to Lighten Bikini & Pubic Areas

However, understanding the sources of your discoloration will allow you to better understand your skin and how to reduce skin darkening.

Table of Contents

There are many different sources of skin darkening around the pubic area. So what are the causes? Is skin discoloration preventable? What are your options for intimate lightening? If you’re lost as to where to even begin to address this insecurity, we’ve got your complete guide for ways to brighten the pubic area.

READ: The Complete Bikini/Brazilian Wax Guide

Bikini/Pubic Area Discoloration: Where Does it Come From?

So let’s get down to it: why is my skin darker down there? Depending on the person, there can be a multitude of reasons for skin darkening or discoloration around your bikini line.

From external causes to genetics, to age, it all varies from person to person. If you’re wondering how to fully get down to the root of your skin discoloration, or if you still can’t quite get down to the cause, consult your doctor or dermatologist for a professional diagnosis or opinion. Until then, explore and understand the possible root of your discoloration before you begin your strategy to lighten the pubic area. 

Causes Friction

Wait, what? Yeah, we know. It may not be something you’d think of when you consider reasons for skin discoloration, but friction from external sources can contribute to hyperpigmentation. Wearing overly tight, ill-fitting, or otherwise restrictive garments can cause the skin in your more intimate areas to darken or become discolored.

Even everyday activities like exercise, sex, or just regular skin rubbing can contribute to discoloration. When skin experiences friction from tight or restrictive clothes, it can produce excess amounts of keratin, which also contains melanin. The overproduction of these elements can in turn cause darkening or discoloration of the skin. 

Age

As we all know, our bodies change as we age. Especially in the pubic area, the skin’s elasticity and thickness can change over time. As skin’s thickness reduces and fatty tissues become thinner, pigmentation occurs and the areas can darken as a result. 

Hormones

One of the most common reasons for skin discoloration in the pubic area is a hormonal imbalance, or even just increased hormone production. Estrogen plays a main role here, as excess or sudden rise in the production of the hormone also creates melanin production.

Genetic Conditions

If you’ve ever wondered “Why is my private area black?”, the culprit could be PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. Many women with PCOS experience a presence of dark patches around the vaginal or pubic areas.

Just as excess estrogen production can cause skin darkening, PCOS causes excessive production of androgen, a male sex hormone, which can cause a change in the color of the pubic area. 

Hair Removal

A lot of people might remove hair to keep their bikini lines looking clean and bright, but some hair removal methods can contribute to pubic area skin darkening in some people. If you regularly receive hair removal services and notice increased pigmentation, it might be something to consider. 

READ: Brazilian Wax Etiquette: Embarrassing Questions Answered

Does Shaving Darken the Pubic Area?

For some people, regular shaving can result in razor burn or irritation, which can cause the skin to darken as a result. Regularly shaving also exfoliates the skin of the pubic area, which leaves skin sensitive and vulnerable to external factors like rubbing or to the effects of tight clothing. 

An easy way to avoid the darkening of the pubic area from shaving is by using an alternative hair removal technique. When practicing proper pre and post-wax care, waxing is an excellent way to remove hair effectively without as much risk of skin darkening when compared to shaving.

READ: How to Use Hard Wax Like a Pro

Is Pubic Area Discoloration Preventable?

In certain circumstances, pubic area discoloration is preventable. If the source of your discoloration is caused by shaving, hair removal, friction, or tight clothing, you can correct these elements to prevent further discoloration.

This won’t clear up existing hyperpigmentation but can help with future discoloration. However, if the causes of your discoloration are genetic or result from hormones or a condition, they might not be prevented, but can remain treatable.

Keep Your pH Balanced

An important factor in correcting or preventing future discoloration in the pubic area is by paying attention to your pH levels and in turn brightening and healing your pubic area.

So how does that work? Stay mindful and correct any pH imbalances by avoiding any inhospitable soaps, body washes, and especially any douches or vaginal washes. Additionally, from an internal standpoint, taking probiotics can help balance your levels out. 

Wearing Airy Clothes

If your discoloration is caused by restrictive, tight, or ill-fitting clothing,  an easy way to prevent further discoloration is by...changing your clothes! Wearing looser clothes or fabrics that promote airflow to your intimate areas, especially underwear, can help reduce friction and lessen darkening in those areas.

Exfoliation

Before hair removal, you can prevent or lessen the appearance of skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation in the pubic area before it even happens by making sure to practice proper pre-wax care, exfoliating, and cleansing properly. 

The best way to make sure you're practicing the right pre-wax care is by using Starpil's Pre-Wax Gel.  After waxing, there are plenty of ways to lessen skin darkening through exfoliation and keeping skin healthy. Removing dry skin and dead or old skin cells lessens the overall chance of skin coloration, skin irritation, and ingrown hair growth.

24 hours after waxing, you can also use Starpil's Ingrown Hair Serum (Hair Puller) as a gentle chemical exfoliator to help prevent ingrown hairs. This exfoliator uses salicylic acid to dissolve these hairs and clear skin.

Add the Energizing Body Peel alongside your Ingrown Hair Serum and create the perfect duo! These products help enhance the skin's appearance and overall texture.

Olive Oil

Olive oil only has slight skin-lightening properties and is a good asset to use to block sun damage and prevent pigmentation. Though this hypoallergenic oil does not reduce melanin levels or significantly reduce hyperpigmentation, it is a good tool to use to prevent further discoloration. 

Waxing

If you're used to continually shaving your bikini line or pubic area, an easy way to prevent further discoloration caused by hair removal is to switch to waxing. Using high-quality waxes for your Brazilian or bikini line wax prevents skin discoloration, and is also more effective at keeping your bikini line or pubic area free of hair for longer periods.

Additionally, if you use a high-quality, professional wax like Starpil's Coral Film Hard Wax, which contains skin-brightening properties to prevent and treat dark patches and even skin tone while removing hair, you can both treat yourself to a great waxing service and prevent discoloration or dark patches from occurring. 

READ: How to Get Rid of Textured Skin: The Ultimate Guide 

How Can I Lighten My Inner Thighs and Pubic Area?

Now that we’ve established the common causes of discoloration or darkening of the pubic area or bikini line, we can present some at-home methods to lighten the pubic area.

There are a variety of solutions for lightening the bikini area. Some natural, some chemical, some professional, and some through medication. There are also a couple of common solutions you might think of that actually may not be as safe or effective as you would think. 

For an effective and easy way to brighten your skin with a beautiful glow, try the Coral Illuminating Dry Oil.

Designed to brighten and even out skin tone while soothing and hydrating the skin, this skin brightening oil is just what skin needs for that endless summer glow.

It contains gold pigments and Coral calcium powder that leaves skin glowing and flawless. It is perfect for all skin types and full-body use.

READ: What is a Vajacial?

Natural Solutions to Use at Home

If you commonly experience skin darkening or discoloration in or around your pubic area or bikini line, you might wonder how to lighten the pubic area naturally. There’s got to be some go-to or hack to try out before trying chemical peels or medical creams or something else, right?

There are many natural lightening agents and remedies in foods or in nature that can aid you in lightening these areas without causing irritation or a reaction (or further darkening!).

Aloe Vera Gel

A go-to for many when it comes to soothing skin conditions or otherwise treating various inflammatory conditions, aloe vera can also provide a great resource for brightening the pubic area. In addition to its calming properties, aloe vera contains aloin, which has skin-lightening and brightening properties.

To apply, massage aloe vera gel or lotion into the affected area and allow it to sink in.

Yogurt & Milk

Thanks to the natural lightening properties of both plain yogurt and any sort of milk, you can lighten darker skin patches in any area naturally by applying yogurt to the skin for 10-15 minutes, or by using cotton balls to apply milk to the darkened area to lighten areas. 

After enough time has passed, wash off with warm soap and water.

Lemon Juice

Many know of lemon juice’s natural lightening properties when it comes to natural hair or skin lightening, but is it safe for use on more delicate areas? The answer, fortunately, is yes! Just make sure to apply aloe vera or moisturizing cream after use to ward off any irritation that might occur. 

Lemon juice can be used either on its own or in conjunction with yogurt, turmeric, coconut oil, or a variety of other natural remedies to lighten dark areas of the skin. Wait...can coconut oil lighten the pubic area? It can! Though usually used in conjunction with lemon juice, coconut oil can lighten skin when mixed or independently. For the best results, we recommend mixing with lemon juice.

How long does it take for lemon to lighten the bikini area? Depending on if you’re using it on it’s own or as part of a solution, lemon can be applied to the affected area for around 15 minutes daily to lighten dark areas. How long it takes to lighten the bikini area in its totality depends on your skin type and the extent of the discoloration.

Turmeric Paste

Turmeric is known to contain both anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can aid in healing irritated or inflamed skin. Turmeric is also known to contain lightening and brightening properties when applied to the skin.

To apply to the skin, create a turmeric paste by combining 1 tsp of turmeric with either 2.5 tsp of lemon or orange juice, and apply to the skin for 15-20 minutes before washing off.  For added results, mix 1 tsp of yogurt into your existing turmeric paste. 

Cucumber Juice

Another popular home remedy, cucumber juice is another natural skin lightener which can easily be used to lighten dark patches. To create your own cucumber juice, grate a cucumber to produce the juice, and apply to the darkened skin around the bikini line or pubic area.

Leave it to sit for about 15 minutes, and then wash off with cool water. This process can be done twice a day daily for elevated results. 

Potatoes

Hold on - a potato can help correct skin discoloration? You heard us right! Rubbing potato slices or pieces of potato on your pubic area or bikini line to lighten any discoloration or dark areas is an old-age remedy.

Potatoes contain the enzyme catecholase, which is believed to lighten skin, and has been a solution to discoloration for many years. To use this method, rub a potato slice over the affected area daily for 15 minutes or more, and wash the area afterward. 

Over the Counter & Professional Solutions

There are a plethora of natural and at home remedies readily available to correct or treat skin discoloration or darkening, but if you’re still wondering how to lighten dark inner thighs and the pubic area through more over the counter or professional creams or treatment, we’ve got those solutions for you as well. 

Can I Stop Skin Discoloration Permanently?

Unless you pursue more aggressive forms to tackle your skin darkening in the pubic or bikini line area, only practicing regular, proper skincare and applying home remedies or skin creams will effectively treat and prevent dark patches.

However, there’s no single solution to permanently get rid of skin discoloration. However, there are many excellent options to treat existing hyperpigmentation that yield excellent results, especially over time.

Serums & Creams

If you’re wondering, “How can I lighten my bikini line?”, you might first head straight to the pharmacy or the store to look for a cream or serum to treat your dark patches. However, it’s important to know what to look for so you don’t end up making your pigmentation worse! 

When looking for over-the-counter creams, it’s best to look for creams or serums with the most natural ingredients possible. Ingredients that are low risk for allergic reaction and safe for use on delicate areas like the bikini line include soy, niacinamide, ellagic acid, and lignin peroxidase.

Bleaching

When you consider the question, “How can I lighten my bikini area fast?”, you might first think of skin bleaching creams or seeing a professional for skin bleaching. However, especially when coming into contact with such delicate and easily irritated areas like the inner thighs and pubic area, bleaching might not be such a good idea.

Excessive use of skin bleaching products can cause more skin damage and hyperpigmentation, and can also leave the skin more vulnerable to sun damage. 

Using skin-bleaching creams or products is not recommended, but if you choose to use them anyway, use them sparingly and in moderation to protect your skin.

Consulting a Dermatologist

The most dependable advice and recommendations for dark patch treatment or to find out how to lighten the pubic area (whether naturally or with medicated creams or other medication), is of course going to come from your dermatologist.

Especially if you think the source of your discoloration is genetic or from an underlying condition (or if it’s particularly severe), visit a specialist to get advice regarding medication or creams.

READ: Brazilian Waxing Guide

Final Thoughts

Overall, we can all agree that experiencing skin darkening around the bikini line or pubic area is extremely common and very normal for anyone to experience. 

Thankfully, if you’re left feeling insecure for any reason due to your dark patches, there are a variety of options to choose from to both treat and prevent discoloration of the bikini line. From natural remedies to over-the-counter or medical solutions, there are many ways to address and prevent darkening around the pubic area.