To Go Bare Down There? (Published 2019) (2024)

Smarter Living|To Go Bare Down There?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/smarter-living/to-go-bare-down-there.html

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To Go Bare Down There? (Published 2019) (1)

By Jen Gunter

I’ve heard a number of conflicting things on this topic; is removing or waxing all pubic hair entirely from the vagin* healthy, unhealthy, or something in between?

— Marie

Short take

Removing pubic hair is a cosmetic choice that may have health consequences for some women.

Tell me more

Before we get started we need to get one fact straight — pubic hair is on your vulva (the outside, where your clothes touch your skin) not your vagin*, which is internal or at the vagin*l opening (think of the places you touch when reaching inside for a rogue tampon).

Pubic hair serves several biological purposes. It is a physical barrier protecting the skin; it traps discharge, dirt and debris; it also traps moisture, helping the vulvar skin maintain a higher moisture content relative to skin elsewhere on your body. As each pubic hair is attached to a nerve, tugging during sex may also increase sexual stimulation. Pubic hair may also have a role in dispersal of normal odors.

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 removal is associated with medical risks — in one study, 27 percent of women who reported removing their pubic hair had sustained an injury at some point and 2.5 percent reported needing surgical intervention (think draining an abscess or stitches). Infections related to pubic hair removal can be very serious.

There is also emerging data that links pubic hair removal with an increased risk of some sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.s), such as herpes and the human papillomavirus (HPV). The microtrauma of hair removal may facilitate transmission or change the environment of the area in other ways that facilitate infection.

[Have a question about women’s health? Ask Dr. Gunter yourself.]

What should I do?

Trends regarding pubic hair removal wax and wane (sorry about the pun), much like eyebrow shape. Removing pubic hair is not right or wrong, it is a cosmetic choice that has medical risks. Adults make decisions about their bodies every day; ideally those decisions are informed and reached after you have balanced your personal risk-benefit ratio.

Whatever you decide is right for your body, please do not remove your pubic hair for a visit to the gynecologist. It is not necessary and we would not want you to incur any risk of injury or infection on our behalf.

Dr. Jen Gunter, Twitter’s resident gynecologist, is teaming up with our editors to answer your questions about all things women's health. From what's normal for your anatomy, to healthy sex, to clearing up the truth behind strange wellness claims, Dr. Gunter, who also writes a column called, The Cycle, promises to handle your questions with respect, forthrightness and honesty.

A version of this article appears in print on , Section

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To Go Bare Down There? (Published 2019) (2024)

FAQs

Do most females shave their pubic hair? ›

About 5 percent of ladies groom daily, but a monthly regimen is more common. About 75 percent of women stick to removing hair from the front and the bikini line. More than 60 percent of babes have gone completely bare.

Should a 13 year old shave pubic hair? ›

Many tweens and teens want to shave, and there are no health reasons for them to wait. It's reasonable to allow them to shave when they think they're ready to do so. On the other hand, some tweens and teens will not be interested in shaving at all, and that is fine.

How often should a woman shave her pubic hair? ›

Everyone likes to groom differently and how often to shave pubic hair depends on your desired appearance. To stay hair-free everyday, some might opt to shave daily but if you only do so for wearing a bikini, you might simply shave before going on holiday or swimming.

When should a girl start shaving her private area? ›

There's no right time or age to start learning to shave. So, how do you know when should your daughter start shaving? Learn answers to common shaving questions. Puberty can hit earlier in life or later, and with it comes thicker hair on the legs, as well as new hair growth under the arms and around the pubic area.

What happens if you never shave your pubic hair female? ›

“While protecting against diseases and skin problems, pubic hair also prevents foreign particles like dust and pathogenic bacteria from entering the body and helps to control the moisture of the area which lowers the chances of yeast infections.”

What happens if you never shave your pubic hair as a male? ›

It's also okay to decide not to shave your pubic hair at all! It's quite normal to let it grow out, though you must wash and dry it properly. Otherwise, you can cause itchiness and rashes from dried-out skin or clogged pores.

Do swimmers shave their private area? ›

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.

How often should a 14-year-old shave a girl? ›

You will probably find that unless you have very thick hair growth, you won't have to shave every day when you first start shaving. Some girls with fairer complexions only shave every few days or once a week. As you get older, your hair will start to come in faster, and you may have to shave more frequently.

Is pubic hair trendy? ›

It's actually much more common to grow out your pubic hair this year and will continue to be a trend, as more people feel comfortable with their skin and hair.

What is pupic? ›

of or near the sexual organs on the outside of a person's body: pubic hair. the pubic area.

How to remove hair from private parts of a woman permanently? ›

  1. Intense pulsed light (IPL) IPL treatments reduce hair growth by using broad-spectrum light to target the hair follicles. ...
  2. Electrolysis. ...
  3. Depilatory cream. ...
  4. Laser hair removal. ...
  5. Permanent hair removal at home.

When did pubic hair go out of fashion? ›

The 80s into the 90s, revolted from the extreme natural body-hair movement of the 70s. Many believe this has to do with the rise of the fashion industry, and the improved cameras putting more scrutiny on people's bodies. Skin follicles that used to be hidden by low resolutions were now on full display.

What do I do if I cut myself while shaving down there? ›

But if it's still the former (and we hope it is), then there's a standard procedure you need to follow.
  1. Stop the bleeding.
  2. Wash the cut with soap and water.
  3. Sanitize the cut.
  4. Go about the finishing that shave.

Can I shave down there at 14? ›

You can shave it. Just be sure to use shaving cream and a sharp razor. Shaving doesn't make hair thicker or darker, though it might look that way. If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax.

What percentage of females shave their pubic hair? ›

7 In line with these results, a recent cross-sectional study in the United States examined 3,316 women, and found that most subjects (62%) performed total pubic hair removal, and that older women were less likely to shave their pubic hair.

What are the benefits of shaving pubic hair female? ›

Shaving can provide a smooth and comfortable feeling, especially during activities like exercising or intimate moments. Without pubic hair, there's less area for sweat and bacteria to accumulate, hence reducing the odour caused by them. As per some women, it also increases sensitivity and sensation without pubic hair.

Is it common to trim pubic hair? ›

vagin*l trimming, including complete pubic hair removal, is becoming an increasingly common practice, especially among young women.

Is it good to keep pubic hair female? ›

Pubic hair functions to cushion and protect the sensitive skin around the genitals,” Burris says. “It also plays a role in hygiene, trapping dirt and bacteria and preventing it from entering the vagin*l opening. Although many people feel it's more hygienic to remove the hair, it's actually the opposite.”

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