Should I shave it all off ASAP? The truth is, there's no one right way to deal with pubic hair. Some like a bare bikini area, while others prefer leaving a little hair down there. Consider your pubic hair styling a very personal preference, Jennifer Ashton, MD, OB/GYN and author of The Body Scoop for Girls, says.
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.
Pubic hair removal is common — approximately 80 percent of women ages 18 to 65 report they remove some or all of their pubic hair.
Some teens don't do anything with their pubic hair, leaving it to grow naturally. Some girls remove hair when they'll be wearing a bathing suit, and some remove hair regularly as part of their beauty routine. No health benefits are linked to removing pubic hair, so choose what feels right for you.
Dr. Kihczak says a close shave typically lasts one or two days and requires upkeep every two to three days. Once you start to shave, always work in the direction of the hair growth. Going against the grain can result in redness, irritation, and ingrown hairs.
There's really no right or wrong age for kids to begin shaving. It all depends on when their body changes and their interest level. For instance, some girls start puberty as young as age 8 or 9, while boys start puberty a little later.
Then there's the regrowth stage: Shaved hair grows back after a couple of days, and when it does it can be prickly or itchy. This can leave you feeling uncomfortable. 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.
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 is good practice to apply a shaving gel or cream to the skin before shaving to minimize friction and reduce the potential for irritation,” Dr. Garshick explains. She and Dr. Marcus recommend Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel and Vanicream Shave Cream.
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.
It's fine to say to her, “I'd like it if you shaved sometime, and I was wondering if you'd be open to that,” and maybe even suggest shaving her yourself and making it a sexy activity—as long as you understand, it's her choice in the end.
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.
The most common cause for itchy pubic hair is trimming with a dull blade or making contact with your skin. To prevent this focus on exfoliating your skin and hair, so it is less sensitive.
Use shaving cream/gel - Shaving creams and gels are a great way to soften your pubic hair. Stretching your skin taut and shaving in the direction your hair grows, will help you achieve longer-lasting results and reduce irritation and itchiness.
Common causes of genital itching include contact dermatitis, jock itch, scabies, yeast infection, and folliculitis. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the cause and point you to the best treatment and prevention strategies.
Wet shaving with a sharp razor can be used anywhere, however it's particularly great for legs, armpits, arms and bikini line. In general, we recommend women shave every one to three days during a shower or bath if the goal is to maintain smooth skin.
It is not more hygienic to shave pubic hair. Some girls decide to remove it (as a personal preference) but there are no health benefits. In fact, there are risks associated with shaving your pubic hair including: razor burn (rash), redness, itching (from hair growing back), and infection in the hair root.
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.
Trimming with scissors Using scissors can be a safe way to give the pubic area a well-groomed look. Since the operation does not come into contact with the skin, trimming the pubic hair with scissors has a relatively low risk of injury.
Yes. It's perfectly fine to carefully trim your pubic hair with small scissors along your swimsuit or underwear line. Many girls trim their pubic hair, or go to a salon to have a “bikini wax”; others prefer to shave just about every day, and many just leave it alone. Removing pubic hair is a personal preference.