Swimmers maintain their bikini line and underarms on a weekly basis as they are practically living in a swimsuit 12 months a year. Shaving down is saved for the competitions where athletes are expected to perform their best. Such as the Olympic Games or World Championships. Generally this occurs only 1-2 times a year.
Generally speaking, professional swimmers do not shave their pubic hair. While there is some anecdotal evidence that some swimmers may choose to do so, it is not common practice. Though some swimmers may choose to do it because they think it makes them more streamlined in the water.
Waxing Although it is not as popular as shaving, swimmers sometimes get waxing done to remove hair at a spa or salon. In this procedure, hot wax is applied directly to the skin with a spatula-like applicator.
Shaving is the ritual swimmers perform before a big meet, removing all hair that cannot be covered by a swim cap or suit. (And, truth be told, a lot of the hidden hair will go as well.) The goal is to reduce drag (a small factor) and enhance the mental gain from a more streamlined sensation in the water (a big factor).
The Pros Of Shaving "Down There"
Improved Hygiene: Without all that hair down there, keeping the area clean and free of sweat and bacteria is easier, which helps prevent unpleasant odors.
Pubic hair may extend out to their thighs, and some girls may have a line of hair up to their belly button. Most girls attain their peak height by age 16, but some may continue growing through age 20.
It has been proven that shaving the arms, legs, back and pretty much any other part of the body exposed to the water reduces frictional drag, improves streamline and heightens the swimmer's awareness and feel for the water (more on that in a second). It's also very common for cyclists and triathletes to shave.
Male swimmers may be asked to shave their entire bodies including their arms, arm pits, even their heads. Male swimmers should not feel uncomfortable with this practice. The body hair grows back quickly and rare is the occasion that anyone away from swimming even notices.
As a cyclist, you don't want a wild, unbridled mane of pubic hair because it can trap sweat and odor, or add additional saddle sore-causing friction.
The idea behind this was that our body hair—and the dead skin cells that accumulated from not shaving—would add an extra layer of "drag" (or resistance) in the water. Meaning, not only did we have to pull body weight through the pool, but also the weight of our body hair and dead skin.
By shaving their body hair, a swimmer will get smoother skin, which will allow them to glide through the water more easily. The resulting gain in speed is called hydrodynamics.
“When you're growing you leg hair, it's creating more drag when you're in the water and you're not removing those dead skin cells constantly with the razor,” Roe said. “It just creates a less aerodynamic feel in the water.
Can I use Nair and go swimming or in the hot tub? Wait 24 hours after waxing or using a depilatory before going in chlorinated water such as a pool or hot tub. The chemicals in the water can irritate your newly smooth skin, so give it a short rest before diving in.
Pubic hair removal is common — approximately 80 percent of women ages 18 to 65 report they remove some or all of their pubic hair.
By shaving the day before you plan on heading to the beach or your local pool, you'll decrease your risk of vaginal irritation or infected pores, Dr. Gupta said.
Pubic hair holds on to residual urine, vaginal discharge, blood and semen. Bacteria line up all along the hair shaft just lunching it up and creating odor. (Very appetizing, I know.) Trimming your pubic hair reduces that surface area for bacteria, thus reducing odor.
Male pubic hair is currently less "full bush" and more "clean-cut," which is the current trend. As a result, not all men should completely shave off their pubic hair because doing so can cause excruciating discomfort and even unpleasant skin conditions like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
Research has shown that men who keep their pubic hair have a lower chance of getting warts. This is because pubic hair acts as a shield to reduce skin contact between people during intercourse. Getting rid of pubic hair is different from going to the barber for a haircut.
Pubic hair plays a role in reducing friction during activities such as sexual intercourse. It also plays a role in preventing dirt and pathogens from entering the genitals. A person can safely remove their pubic hair if they wish to, but they do not need to.
Swimmers are notorious for having broad shoulders and a rounded posture. The muscles in the shoulder and upper back are hypertrophied from repetitive motion. This additional muscle mass contributes to excessive curvature in the spine and a weak core exposes the lower back to more strain.
The metabolism of a competitive swimmer is generally faster than the average person. The more calories an athlete burns, the more they need to take in. As you can imagine, grueling training sessions multiple times per day result in a very hungry swimmer.