Yes, it is completely okay and normal to never shave your pubic hair, as it serves natural protective functions and hygiene is maintained with regular washing, with the decision being a matter of personal preference, comfort, or style rather than medical necessity. While shaving can reduce friction and collect sweat/pheromones, hair also protects against bacteria, reduces chafing, and helps keep the area cool and dry, so keeping it natural is perfectly healthy, say ACOG, Healthline, and Ulike.
Complications of pubic hair removal
Shaving, waxing, sugaring or hair removal creams may lead to adverse skin reactions, such as: Razor burn: Skin irritation, caused by shaving, which can involve redness, burning and itchiness. Folliculitis: Inflammation of the hair follicles caused by any type of hair removal method.
You don't have to shave anything. Body hair is natural and gynecologists know and understand that fact. They will not be phased by your body hair preferences, and they won't remember you by the end of the day with everything they have going on.
If you sense a little body odor, it's because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria. To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water. Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it.
If you've spotted a few unwanted hairs and are grabbing for your razor, you might want to think twice.
Results We obtained data from 69,920 subjects (52,787 women and 17,133 men). The mean age was 31.9 years for men, and 28.5 years for women. Most women (64.3%) and men (62.2%) preferred complete removal of female pubic hair, and this preference was more pronounced in younger women and men.
Appearances don't matter. Whether you choose to groom your pubic area or not, or if you forgot to shave your legs and your armpits before the appointment, your gynecologist couldn't care less. Their focus is purely on your health and well-being. They won't even notice.
In previous years, traditional childbirth recommended hair removal on the pubic area before delivery. However, modern childbirth finds that it's not necessary to shave your pubic hair before delivery.
Gen Z's approach to pubic hair is diverse, with a growing trend of embracing natural body hair, challenging older norms, but many still prefer some form of grooming like trimming over complete removal, with personal preference and comfort being key drivers, influenced heavily by social media trends. While some opt for "au naturel" looks, many in Gen Z trim for a "bikini-shaped bush," balancing naturalness with neatness, and views vary significantly, with TikTok promoting both naturalness and styling.
Is shaving pubic hair more hygienic? In brief, no. Humans have pubic hair for a reason — several, actually. Pubic hair acts as protection: it helps reduce friction during sexual activity, thereby preventing skin infections.
We'll also debunk the myth right here that peach fuzz grows back thicker if you remove it. If you shave those hairs, they will grow back as vellus hair and don't turn into terminal hair. In fact, as you get older, these vellus hairs may begin to disappear.
Going back to a time when most of us roamed around half-naked, it has been suggested our pubic hair is curly because it does a better job capturing and holding the pheromones that are produced by our sweat glands.
Notice a more modern rendering of these verses in the New King James: "You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard" (Leviticus 19:27); and, "They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in ...
Body hair, especially in sensitive areas like the armpits and groin, acts as a barrier against friction and bacteria. By allowing hair to grow, individuals can reduce the risk of skin irritation and infections, promoting healthier skin overall. Shaving can often lead to redness, itching, and painful ingrown hairs.
Part of the perception that your pubic hair grows much faster than the hair on your head may be due to the growth cycle it follows. Pubic hair grows about an eighth of an inch per week, but the entire process takes about a month, Dr. Huang says.
There's also a chance some hairs will become ingrown. This means that the hair that's trying to grow back gets trapped under the skin. This can lead to redness, pain, and tiny bumps in the area. Sometimes people can get skin infections from shaving.
It's normal to have some fat in your pubic area, to protect your pubic bone. But you're more likely to develop FUPA as you age, after pregnancy, or if you've gained and/or lost a lot of weight.
No, you don't need to shave or wax. However, if there's something going on with your skin, shaving or waxing will make it easier for your physician to evaluate the area.
“An OB/GYN still can perform an exam when you're on your period, but it's also OK to reschedule the appointment if you are feeling uncomfortable,” said Rosemary C. Sousa, M.D., OB/GYN with Norton Women's Care.
Does pubic hair cease growing once it's reached a certain length? All hair grows at a contstant rate, but eventually falls out. With body hair, which typically does not grow as long as head hair, the rate at which it falls out is greater. This results in hair that appears to reach a certain length then stops growing.
Ellen Marmur, most women do indeed have abdominal hair, often due, like most other physical attributes, to normal ethnic variation or hormone levels. “When you're in a high hormone state, not only is your progesterone and estrogen high, but also your testosterone,” says Marmur.
The Full Moon is a newer style that's been growing in popularity over the past year or two. The look entails removing the hair from the sides, top, and back while grooming and waxing the hair at the front of the pubic mound into a circle using a stencil and high-precision waxing techniques.
It Can Enhance Sexual Sensitivity
Some research shows that people who shave their pubes report greater sensation during sex, so there might be a connection between trimming your secret garden and enjoying sex more.