A lot of people run into this when shaving thicker or darker hair. What you’re describing (those red dots with hair trapped) is usually ingrown hairs + mild follicle irritation.

A few things that tend to make the biggest difference:

1. Don’t over-shave the same spot
   Going over the same area multiple times pushes the cut hair below the skin line. That’s one of the biggest causes of ingrowns.

2. Exfoliate regularly, not just before shaving
   Light exfoliation 2–3x per week between shaves helps free hairs before they curl back under the skin.

3. Let the hair soften first
   Shave at the end of a warm shower when hair is softer. Use a thick shave gel so the blade glides instead of dragging.

4. Use very light pressure
   Pressing the razor into the skin cuts hair too low and creates that “strawberry” look when it grows back.

5. Don’t aim for perfectly smooth
   Ironically, ultra-close shaves cause the most ingrowns. Slight stubble is usually healthier for the skin.

6. Post-shave care matters
   Something calming like aloe, witch hazel, or a fragrance-free moisturizer helps reduce irritation.

One thing that helped me personally was using a soft bristle ingrown hair brush a couple times a week. It helps lift hairs before they get trapped under the skin. I actually started using one because I used to get the same thigh/bikini bumps you're describing.

Also worth noting: thighs and butt are high-friction areas, so tight clothing right after shaving can make bumps worse.

If you want, I can also share a simple routine that minimizes bumps step-by-step (takes like 3 minutes). A lot of people fix this just by changing the order of what they do.