The issue with shaving all the time? "If you do remove hair too frequently, you can end up with something called folliculitis, which is an infection of the hair follicle," Dr. Metz says. Basically, the act of shaving poorly can damage the follicle and cause inflammation.
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.
To keep the pubic area smooth and hairless, you'll need to shave regularly, even daily. Consider if this is worth the trouble; it may become tedious after four or five weeks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth.
Some guys have to shave every week. Some guys only have to shave once a month. Very few guys will need to shave multiple times a week (we have a different recommendation for them in the next section). Most guys will end up shaving three to four times a month for the best results.
If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax. A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface. Depilatories work quickly, are available at drugstores and grocery stores, and are painless.
Removing pubic hair does not improve hygiene and it may actually increase your chance of infection. Hair removal can sometimes irritate or burn the skin, and cause micro-abrasions, ingrown hairs and pain or itchiness. These can facilitate inflammation and actually provide the entry point for infections.
A hot shower or bath is vital in the shaving process because it softens the skin and hair, allowing you to get a closer shave. It also rinses off any fresh clippings that could get in your way while you're trying to work.
Marc Glashofer, a dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, claims that the texture of pubic hair tends to be thicker and more coarse than hair on the rest of our body because of its origins as a buffer. “It prevents friction during intercourse that can cause skin abrasion and rashes,” he says.
You're Less Likely To Get Rashes
If you don't shave, those things aren't really a possibility anymore, leaving you and your lady parts in peace. Indeed, Dweck listed infected hair follicles (folliculitis), rashes, and irritation (razor burn) as some of the most common issues she sees from patients who shave.
There is no such thing as a 'normal' amount of pubic hair. This is a personal choice and one that you can make on your own. You shouldn't feel pressure one way or another.
According to board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Felice Gersh, MD, there is a “basic normal amount” of female pubic hair. She explains, "Typically it should cover all of the labia majora to the inner surface of the thighs and up to the pubic bone-roughly shaped like a triangle."
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.
Data showed that 46% of men prefer when their partners go completely bare down there. 70% of women, on the other hand, only expect a trim to keep things neat, not total removal. And while that might not surprise many people, just how adamant guys are about their preferences may be the most shocking data point.
The amount of pubic hair that women generally have is quite variable, and some women are relatively hairless. In many cultures and with different fashions, having minimal pubic and axillary hair is considered 'normal' and hair may be actively removed.
Your pubic hair region is more sensitive than your armpits and legs. So one reason why you might be hurting down there when the hair starts to grow back is because of razor burn, which can be itchy or painful. Another reason why you might be uncomfortable is because shaving can trigger ingrown hair growth.
The itching can get worse at night due to increased moisture in the area, temperature changes, bacteria, and increased awareness. There are certain conditions, such as pubic lice, in which the itching gets worse at night.
Allergies or an allergic reaction. Skin irritation from sweating or wearing tight clothing. Skin irritation from personal hygiene products such as soaps, perfumes and detergents. Genital herpes.