i use shaving cream for sensitive skin. everyone is different so i think the pattern you use depends on the person. i can't go against the grain bc it hurts too bad so i have to kind of go sideways. then afterwards i use jergen's lotion. its important that you use lotion without any kind of fragrence or unnecessary stuff in it. that area is pretty sensitive already so using lotions with a lot of frill just irritate it even more. also, curel is pretty good stuff. thats what i used on my tattoos.