Shaving, whether it's your legs, armpits, or pubic area, is a personal choice. You certainly don't have to shave before sex if you don't want to. Shaving pubic hair (or not) is a cosmetic preference, and it does not mean you are "cleaner" if you shave. If you do prefer to shave, try not to do it right before sex.
From the gynecologist's perspective, shaving regularly to eliminate pubic hair has drawbacks. Razors harbor bacteria and cause some abrasion of the skin; especially in a moist environment. This creates a setup for a bacterial skin infection.
Pubic hair removal is common — approximately 80 percent of women ages 18 to 65 report they remove some or all of their pubic hair.
Pubic Hair Trends
According to the researchers, when asked if they removed their pubic hair, 80% of women and 39% of men removed their pubic hair near the time of the survey. Also, 3% of women and 21% of men had never removed their pubic hair.
Safety: Trimming your pubic hair with a pair of scissors or an electric trimmer is generally considered safer than shaving. The risk of nicks, cuts, and skin irritation is significantly reduced. Easy Maintenance: Trimming is relatively low-maintenance.
It is more hygienic not to shave it (although depilation does make pubic lice homeless). In removing their pubic hair, most women will get cuts or ingrown hairs, and some will develop inflammation of the hair follicles or hyperpigmentation.
For some highly visually attuned people, body hair arrangements can enhance or undermine lovemaking experiences. On the other hand, since pheromones that are secreted to play a role in sexual attraction may be held in body hair, biologically, women with more pubic hair are sexier.
Overall, the better choice of the two methods is totally up to you and your personal preference. For some, the pain of waxing is enough to put up with all the tedious parts of shaving. For others, the idea of shaving every day is much too high-maintenance. There is no better or worse process—only what's right for you.
The research shows that body hair by itself is not a cause of bad body odor. But everyone is unique. Some guys report smelling better after their shave their armpits, body hair, or pubes. They feel that it makes them sweat less and smell better.
Hard waxes are the best way to ensure an even waxing without creating chances for new ingrown hairs. Overall, waxing has many advantages over shaving. The quality of the results becomes evident after the first try, with the skin looking a lot healthier after using professional waxes.
Should you shave your pubic hair every day? It might be tempting, but you definitely don't want to shave down there every day — this could lead to increased irritation. “It's best to give the skin some time to recover,” Dr. Garshick explains.
Pubic Hair Trends
According to the researchers, when asked if they removed their pubic hair, 80% of women and 39% of men removed their pubic hair near the time of the survey. Also, 3% of women and 21% of men had never removed their pubic hair.
Shaving with a clogged or unclean razor is a big no-no. Folliculitis is typically caused by bacteria. Folliculitis causes red and white pimples to grow around the hair follicle resulting in that prickly feeling after shaving. Rest assured, mild cases of folliculitis should clear on its own within a number of days.
Contrary to popular waxing myth, hair does not grow back thicker and darker after being waxed. Waxing actually weakens hair follicles making hair grow back thinner and slower. In fact, many clients will notice that after years of consistent waxing, hair in certain areas does not grow back at all.
What all of this means is that an average Brazilian wax will only remove about 30% of hair by the root while it is in the Anagen phase. The majority of your hair is in the Telogen phase, so you are only removing the old, dead hair. This means that you can expect to see noticeable hair regrowth within 2 to 3 weeks.
You do not need to shave before a gynecologist appointment (or any doctor's appointment!). Your doctor doesn't care how you care for your pubic hair, because it isn't a health or hygiene concern. They've seen it all, and how you style (or don't style) your pubic hair probably won't even register.
Warm water hydrates and softens your pubic hair and skin for an easier cut. So, shower for a few minutes before you dive into shaving down there. In the meantime, you can wash the rest of your body…or practice your karaoke faves. Lubrication is essential for shaving, especially when you're shaving pubic hair.