Today, I decided I was going to bleach my bikini line, as I have not been able to shave there due to some ingrown hairs, and I also have to lifeguard every day. As it turns out, I'm allergic to the bleach. There is now an angry red, burning rash on my crotch that you can see around my swimsuit. FML
I agree, your life sucks (25034) - you totally deserved it (8303)
On 07/02/2009 at 10:05am - misc - by nobleach - United States (Georgia)
I'm going to reply to the first post to get my comment on the top, even though my comment has nothing to do with the first comment!
Hahaa. I'm surprised your comment isn't buried yet. You're such a rebel xD
Anyways; OP, that sucks.
I'm allergic to everything, too. but I would never use bleach for my bikini area. that's just a really painful experience waiting to happen. why not just wax? :3
#28 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:55pm by SusanaSaysRawrxD
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#35 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:21pm by springbirder2
Because waxing also causes ingrown hairs.
OP, YDI. If you had followed the instructions, you would have done a test patch and this could have been avoided.
I would be surprised if she used chlorine bleach (the kind you buy for your laundry). We use a 1:10 solution to rinse mildew off our house and if we aren't careful we end up with chemical burns on our hands. I've even seen people's skin turn green from exposure to full strength bleach.
Looks like you just got a promotion to chief lifeguard.
I'll be at the pool "drowning" tomarrow.
Oh and YDI for bleaching ur pubes... they look hotter ginger;)
#90 - On 07/02/2009 at 11:24pm by MasterModeraor
I can only imagine how uncomfortable that is! I am allergic to almost everything, but thankfully have yet to experience allergic reactions in that area. Maybe cool off in the pool for a bit?
#2 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:10pm by Lindsay46789
Not to sound like an ass, but most pools (public and private) use chlorine or salt systems to sanitize the water. If she is allergic to chlorine, "cooling" off in a pool will probably not help the situation. I, for one, am surprised the OP didn't realize she's allergic to chlorine. Working as a life guard I doubt she hasn't been in the water. Sucks definitely but I'd advise against going into the pool to cool off. Until then can't you wear shorts to cover up your bikini line?
Actually bleach, as in the chemical actually known as "bleach', is chlorine based usually. But you aren't supposed to use THAT to bleach hair. I mean, it works, sure, but so does hydrogen peroxide.
Actually bleach contains chlorine so it's not really that different. Most household bleaches are solutions of 3-6% sodium hypochlorite.
It seems weird that the OP can be allergic to bleach but not be irritated by the chlorine in a pool.
#69 - On 07/02/2009 at 6:26pm by Envirochick
actually bleach has nothing to do with chlorine...not with my experiences. i swim in chlorinated pools and i have used bleach before in a test patch and i had an allergic reaction so i dont think they are connected.
Common household 'bleach' is Sodium Hypochlorite, or NaOCl. Pools use this. So do water treatment facilities. It is highly unlikely anyone is allergic to chlorine. Anyways, a bleach is, by definition, any substance that will remove colors or whiten. Typically a bleaching agent will oxidize (pull electrons from) whatever it is applied to to get the desired effect. The chemical to bleach hair is Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2, and has no correlation whatsoever to household bleach.
Now you know....
#75 - On 07/02/2009 at 7:11pm by OneLeggedSeagull
Plus, there is a huge difference between something being an irritant and an antigen.
#76 - On 07/02/2009 at 7:16pm by OneLeggedSeagull
Thanks for the chem lesson tips... unfrotunately i know a LOT of people who are allergic to chlorine and therefor avoid chlorinated pools and many cleaning agents, you kind of lost me right when you said "It is highly unlikely anyone is allergic to chlorine" you may be good at chem but be careful when making assumptions like that.. that's all :)
#75, why is it highly unlikely that people are allergic to chlorine? My best friend is allergic to chlorine...
I highly doubt you know anyone who has an ALLERGY to chlorine; one that involves the immune system. More then likely they have a very low TOLERANCE. A chlorine allergy is, in fact, very rare. There are plenty of chemicals that go into a pool to keep it clean, and even more are produced during chemical reactions (Namely chloramines) which can irritate the skin, but not trigger antibodies to be produced.
#108 - On 07/03/2009 at 5:55am by OneLeggedSeagull
Have they been to an allergist? Or is this self diagnosed? And yes, I said unlikely, not impossible....
#109 - On 07/03/2009 at 5:57am by OneLeggedSeagull
it's from an actual allergy test, yes. and if you read my post properly you would have seen that i said not just pools but cleaning supplies with chlorine in them aswell. I am very aware of the difference between an intollerance and an allergic reaction and with the backup of an allergist and SEVERAL allergy tests i state again, i know A LOT of people ALLERGIC to chlorine. not an intollerance, allergic
wear shorts with your bathingsuit... besides your supposed to test a small area of skin to see if you're allergic beforehand!
#8 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:12pm by Jord111222333
i was thinking the same thing. they also have the skorts too which aren't too bad looking.
#47 - On 07/02/2009 at 4:23pm by meeeep
Actually, it would probably be less irritating to wear a real skirt. No point trying to find skorts and put up with the discomfort when the shorts vs skirt thing isn't really her issue.
#49 - On 07/02/2009 at 4:29pm by fmlcomment
ask the guy to put out the fire with their extinguishers ;)
#11 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:16pm by JiggstheMan
Male lifeguards wear shorts, yes. Typically female lifeguards, like the OP, wear a bathing suit.
#116 - On 07/03/2009 at 8:53pm by sickinlove13
Hmm... Time to get when of those swimming skirt bottoms
#13 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:23pm by Avenging_Angel
No kidding, just put on some shorts. problem solved. jeez, people these days make such a huge deal out of everything...*i'm gonna go to the pool with my vag flaming and hope no one notices...* or you could just wear shorts! hmm...big choice there.
Your not allergic to it. Bleach is too strong for your bikini line. You should have read the package first. YDI for not checking the instructions
Feel the burn.
Embrace the burn.
Burn baby, burn.
Now wear some shorts babycakes.
#18 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:39pm by redbluegreen
wear a one-piece for the time being till it clears up.
#19 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:40pm by artisticlicense
A one piece won't cover it anymore than a bikini and isn't that required of lifeguards anyways? just put on some shorts
#46 - On 07/02/2009 at 4:20pm by skiesofgreen
So it never occured to you to take some tweezers and pick out the ingrown hairs? Are you just THAT lazy? Why can't you buy the 'short style' bikini bottoms? Or a Wrap?
#21 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:47pm by Stay_beautiful
I don't know about anyone else but using tweezers in that area hurts! Never waxed that area even though I'm sure that hurts too, but tweezing is localized pain. You must be a lucky person that it doesn't hurt or I'm alone about this, but I would NOT take tweezers there.
#43 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:58pm by englishmuffin
It hurts less than ingrowns or bleach rash.
Although, I think the OP meant she couldn't shave/wax there anymore because she got too many ingrowns.
#98 - On 07/03/2009 at 1:41am by plethora
oh please. if you know how to use tweezers they wont hurt..possibly in some spots.. but not the parts that will be showing when your bikini is on.....its your leg.
Do you need someone to rub some sweet cream on it? Cuz I just got back from the gym doing my squat thrusts and my inner legs burn too!
#22 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:48pm by speak_a_da_truth
what kind of bleach is even acceptable for the skin?? not to mention bikini area.
#26 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:53pm by mishel
the kind of bleach that's sold to bleach unwanted body hair...
though it's not technically bleach, it's actually peroxide
but it's called "bleach" because it has a bleaching effect
#31 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:09pm by grlwitperlEring
Just get your cooch waxed. I do it all the time, my kitty and rump stay smooth as butter. I'm sure it hurts a lot less than burning bleach rashes.
#27 - On 07/02/2009 at 2:55pm by murderofcrows
except for the 2 weeks where you have to let it grow, of course.
Which includes one week of visible hair.
I feel your pain. I once bought special nair for the bikini line, used it, and it BURNED off my skin! Very, very painful. Luckily I wasn't a lifeguard though.
what girls do to themselves...it perplexes me. maybe that is why half the time they are mad or hurting (the other half is a legit biological reason).
#33 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:17pm by hotjavalava
Wow, that's why I shave and use a cream to get rid of razor bumps. Also, next time shave before hand and remember. Saves you from getting into this situation.
#38 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:33pm by SweetTea90
Ouch. You should go to the dermatologist before anymore experimenting.
#39 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:38pm by ImaBmyLonurTees
LOL whatttt? You'd rather bleach the hair then get it waxed/chemically removed? I would nottt put bleach there
#40 - On 07/02/2009 at 3:41pm by fangsupKELS
I don't think it's that you're allergic to bleach so much as it is that bleaching an area that has ingrown hairs is probably as irritating as waxing it.....
ydi for not doing a test spot before bleaching. it seems stupid and trivial but there's a reason for it, and that's exactly it.
#48 - On 07/02/2009 at 4:23pm by bellaellaella
YDI sooo much for not testing before hand, there is a reason they always say to do that before bleaching or dying anything.
To everyone saying wear shorts: where I live, there is a specific swimsuit you MUST wear to lifeguard in, in which case she would not be allowed to wear a skirt/shorts. That may be the OPs case.
Next time, use Magic Shaving Powder. That stuff works, and works well. It's good if you want to go completely hairless, or if you're just looking to trim the hedge.
#59 - On 07/02/2009 at 5:19pm by IDigSmartLadies
This is why you're supposed to test it on a small patch of skin first, like the directions say, but I'm still sorry.
#60 - On 07/02/2009 at 5:21pm by americayay
You are probably not allergic. Bleach is a very strong base. A pH close to 12. It would be like pouring acid on your crotch. Nice work.
Not household bleach, there's stuff made specifically for lightening hair.
#94 - On 07/03/2009 at 12:12am by kitkatkelly
#64:
Alkali = base.
Which is what the commenter here said. And a burn from a strong base would be similar to an acid burn, which is also what they are saying.
Couldn't you just wear shorts? They have swimsuit pieces where they're more like shorts, or have a skirt sown on...
#63 - On 07/02/2009 at 5:47pm by nobody_special
wow and i thought i was the only one allergic to bleach
#65 - On 07/02/2009 at 5:54pm by ofcourseitdid
well waxing creates less ingrown hairs and if you really want to take preventative measures for next time, exfoliate before you wax. ( =
#79 - On 07/02/2009 at 8:05pm by checkitoutt
80....you meant sasha baron cohen....right......i dont even knwo who the fuck that is. and i can spell the goddamn persons name right...
How do you know it's not spelled that way if you don't know who he is? 'Cause you Googled it?
#117 - On 07/03/2009 at 9:02pm by sickinlove13
Hmmm... Arent lifeguards supposed to wear red swimsuits? Try blending it in or wearing shorts.
#102 - On 07/03/2009 at 2:55am by gorguz14evar
Just wear shorts.. why is that an FML? It'll go away in a couple days.
#105 - On 07/03/2009 at 3:39am by spiltstars
I'll still drink a gallon of your piss just to see where it came from
#107 - On 07/03/2009 at 4:06am by zbxstraightx
put on shorts then no one should see it :o unless.. MMM YEA ILL LEAVE IT THERE.
an peepl ur so fukin stupid u bleach the hair, so that you cant see it because it turns white/blond watever UUUGH. goosh. -.-
#111 - On 07/03/2009 at 11:53am by Cookiechick
An allergy is an adverse reaction related to your immune system to a protien in whatever you're allergic too. I doubt you're allergic, your skin is probably irritated because you put bleach on the MOST SENSITIVE PART OF YOUR BODY.
Good job. I do hope it clears up soon. Must hurt like a sonovabitch. But YDI.
Yeah, you could just wear shorts. When I was guarding, all of the female guards wore shorts. This led a few of them to completely neglect the hair care so that stuff was peeking out when they took their shorts off.
