I’ve been insecure about the way my body looks in a bathing suit for a long time. But after over a decade of skipping out on beach trips, wearing T-shirts by the pool, and dramatically dodging out of every photo, it’s finally not the reason behind my summertime, swimsuit-impending dread. To have made this peace with myself, and my ever-fluctuating size, is something I never thought I’d be able to do. So to have made it here is surely cause for celebration. The only thing proving to stand in the way? My bikini line.

Whether I shave or get a wax (or, for whatever reason, attempt to DIY my wax at home), I can’t seem to get around the teeny razor bumps and subsequent ingrown hairs that always seem to pop up along the line of my underwear. I’ve used all of the pre- and post-shave lotions and moisturizers, kept the shower steaming hot, and made it a habit to exfoliate with a warm cloth and body scrub after any hair removal; and yet, still no relief. Truthfully, I’d began to accept that these ugly bumps and marks would just about always be a part of both my and my bikini line’s lives—and then I was introduced to the Fur Ingrown Eliminator ($18).

Launched as an Ulta exclusive, the product comes in packs of 12 individually packaged biodegradable mitts soaked in a powerful serum formulated with calming and soothing ingredients like witch hazel, aloe, and clary sage essential oil. Using it couldn’t be easier, either. You simply slip the mitt on your finger (I prefer using my ring finger for the most control), and massage the area you’re looking to treat. While I clearly use it to treat my pubic area, Fur encourages you to use the mitts wherever you’re prone to redness and ingrowns, including your underarms, brows, lip, and chin.

I began seeing serious results on my bikini line after one full week of daily use, right after I get out of the shower, regardless of whether I shaved or not. Both dermatologically and gynecologically tested, the mitts are quick to soothe irritation and have made even the most stubborn of my ingrown bumps significantly smaller—though I have faith that after more use, they’ll help me eradicate them completely for that Sports Illustrated–level clear skin.

It’s comical that after everything I’ve tried, the solution is a product that’s so simple in theory; but I’m glad to have found it. More than that, I’m glad to have found a brand that doesn’t feel the need to tiptoe around the pubic and body hair conversation and is instead spearheading a shiny, new wellness category. As Fur says, whether you think the bush is back or skin is in, it’s nice to have options. And for that, my long-awaited return to the beach is full of thanks.

Tanisha Pina is a writer in New York City. Follow her @tanishapina on Instagram.

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