Bikini Shave Nearly Killed Me

Dana Sedgewick, 44, only wanted to look good, but her DIY beauty treatment left her like this...

- Charlotte Brazier & Louise Baty

Sighing as the warm water bounced off my skin, I picked up the new razor I’d brought into the shower with me. It was 19 May 2012 and with three daughters, Megan, then 13, Freya, then nine, and Klara, then four, I rarely got any peace. My only chance for me time was when I retreated to the bathroom.

We had a hectic week ahead, including my husband Mat’s birthday coming up, so I knew if I didn’t sort out my legs and bikini line now I might not get another chance. After gliding the razor carefully over my skin, I turned off the shower and dried off. 

Getting ready for bed the next evening, I noticed a little pimple – like a pinprick – on my groin. As I often got a shaving rash, I put cream on and forgot about it. But by the following day I felt tired and nauseous.

Weak, tired and ill

After taking the children to school, I felt so awful, I went back to our house in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and flopped into bed. The following day was Mat’s birthday and I felt like I had flu – I was dizzy and weak with a sore throat and temperature. Gathering the children in the living room to give Mat his presents, I forced a smile. ‘Happy birthday,’ I croaked weakly.

Before leaving for his job as a landscape gardener, Mat gave me a worried look. ‘Get plenty of rest,’ he said, gently squeezing my shoulder.

‘I will but I’m sure this spot on my groin is getting bigger,’ I frowned.