Article originally published August 11th 2016.
Cultural standards of beauty influence people’s personal choices on appearance — including pubic hair. In some countries, less and less hair has become a “norm” (1). But these trends don’t always have your health (or physical comfort) in mind.
The media’s messaging about pubic hair is largely one-sided (2): Instagram has repeatedlytaken downimages of people with unshaven bikini lines and most commercials fail to show people’s natural state prior to hair removal.Social media censorshipandinaccurateadvertisem*nts for shaving, waxing, laser, and chemical hair removal perpetuate the idea that pubic and body hair is unacceptable.
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Body shame, cleanliness, and perceptions of sexiness are common reasons people cite for pubic hair grooming(3).
Specifically, a person who has received oral sex in the past month is more likely to be someone who removes their pubic hair (4). But choices around pubic hair are as diverse as bushes themselves. Many people go hairless or not for reasons that are specific to their unique bodies and lives.
But there are benefits to the bush. Physically speaking, pubic hair serves as a protective barrier to genital tissues, particularly the sensitive vagin*l opening (5). It also serves as a buffer against friction that can lead to damaged skin (6).
Injuries caused by hair removal — including wounds, abscesses, rashes and ingrown hairs — are becoming more common. The number of visits to the emergency room because of pubic grooming jumped five-fold between 2002 and 2010 (7). These types of injuries prompt a greater likelihood of infection (5).
However you choose to groom (or not groom) your pubic hair, your choice reflects what makes you feel most comfortable and confident.
For those who do prefer less hair down there, trimming, shaving, waxing, sugar waxing, hair removal creams and laser hair removal are some common practices. Skin type, skin sensitivity, budget and the length of time you’d like the results to last for are all factors to consider when choosing the best hair removal method. No matter which method you choose, exfoliating using a gentle scrub beforehand will remove dead skin cells and reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.
In terms of sex, pubic hair is just one part of the experience for many people. Sexiness, confidence, satisfaction and pleasure result from many factors including sexual technique, comfort level, communication and plenty of other aspects.
We sent out a Twitter poll to find out how people were styling their pubic hair in 2021. After 48 hours and 397 votes, we found that “Trimmed all over” was the most popular choice!
Whether you’re rocking the bush, or waxing it all off, it’s your body, your choice.
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FAQs
The short answer is no, it is not necessary to do anything to your pubic hair. Shaving your pubic hair is a personal choice. Pubic hair may help protect your genitalia from infection and friction. Removing your pubic hair comes with the risk of getting cuts or ingrown hairs.
Are there any benefits to keeping pubic hair? ›
It keeps the skin of your vulva warm and moisturized. It protects the delicate skin from friction during sexual activity. It keeps dust, dirt, and germs away from the vagin* to prevent infection. Researchers even suspect pubic hair may play a role in sexual attraction and sexual pleasure.
Why is trimming pubic hair important? ›
2) Trimming is more hygienic
When you sweat, the fluid interacts with the oils on your skin, producing bacteria that like to cling to pubic hair. The longer your hair is down there, the more susceptible you are to emitting odor.
What happens if you never shave your pubic hair? ›
The benefits of not shaving pubic hair are avoiding irritation, cuts, and ingrowns—when you don't shave, you won't get irritated. If you don't shave your pubic hair, nothing happens, but it's important to keep it clean with a daily genital-friendly wash and exfoliant to keep odor at bay.
What happens if pubic hair is not removed? ›
Your Pubic Hair Serves a Purpose
It helps reduce the amount of sweat produced around the vagin*. It helps block your vagin* from the following bacteria and infections: Sexually transmitted infections. Urinary tract infections.
Is it better to have pubic hair or no pubic hair? ›
Yes, pubic hair does have a purpose. Above all else, it lessens friction during sex and prevents the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens.
Should I permanently remove pubic hair? ›
Removing pubic hair is not necessary to keep the vulva or vagin*l area clean. Pubic hair can help protect the skin and prevent chafing. Hair removal is a personal preference. Some people do not remove any of their pubic hair, and others may remove only the hair that grows outside of the bikini line.
Is it OK not to trim pubic hair? ›
Since pubic hair removal usually isn't medically necessary, there's no reason it has to be removed. Some simply prefer the natural look.
Is it healthy to shave pubic hair for females? ›
Grooming offers potential benefits, such as reducing the risk of pubic lice, but it also presents clinical risks, including genital cuts, irritation, or infection. Furthermore, grooming is recognized as a potential risk factor for some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [12].
Is it better to wax or shave pubic hair? ›
For bikini areas, waxing is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin area.
If you've spotted a few unwanted hairs and are grabbing for your razor, you might want to think twice.
- #1) Eyebrows. Believe it or not, shaving your eyebrows used to be a lot more acceptable. ...
- #2) Upper Lip & Chin. Not every woman is blessed with gender-appropriate hair growth. ...
- #3) Neck. ...
- #4) Arms. ...
- #5) Stomach.
As you age, your pubic hair, just like the hair on your head, will naturally start to thin and turn grey. Part of the aging process includes hair loss and the slowing of the rate of hair growth. Typically, hair in the armpits, chest, and pubic region will start to thin and turn grey later than scalp hair.
Do most girls shave down there? ›
Pubic hair removal is common — approximately 80 percent of women ages 18 to 65 report they remove some or all of their pubic hair.
Does pubic hair turn gray? ›
Just like the hair on the head, the hair on the rest of the body — including the pubic area — is subject to graying. As people age, their skin produces less melanin, the pigment responsible for giving skin and hair their color. The hair follicles contain melanin.
What is the evolutionary purpose of pubic hair? ›
Since pubic hair growth only occurs after a surge of androgens and estrogens during adolescence, one evolutionary theory is that pubic hair serves as sexual ornamentation, a neon advertisem*nt if you will, that says “I have reached sexual maturity and efforts to reproduce with me could be fruitful and worth your time ...
Should I save my pubic hair? ›
Some people don't do anything with their pubic hair, leaving it to grow naturally. Some remove hair when they'll be wearing a bathing suit, and some remove hair regularly. No health benefits are linked to removing pubic hair, so choose what feels right for you.
