Can I shave my pubic hair? Is it safe? How do most girls maintain their pubic
hair?
– Amanda*
Shaving is one way to remove pubic hair — if it's done right and you're very
careful. Shaving is fairly inexpensive, and you can do it yourself. Go slowly, pulling
skin taut before running the razor over the hair. Always shave in the same direction
that the hair grows, not against it. Change razors often to avoid nicks, which happen
when the blade gets dull. Using shaving cream also may help protect sensitive skin,
like the skin around the bikini area. If you're nervous about cutting yourself, you
can try an electric razor instead.
There are some downsides to shaving. First, there are obvious risks. Using a sharp
razor on such a sensitive part of the body means it's easy to slip up and hurt yourself.
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 a girl feeling uncomfortable.
There's also a chance some hairs will become ingrown, causing pimples that can
be painful. Sometimes people can even get skin infections as a result of shaving.
For these reasons, some girls choose to wax or use depilatories on bikini hair. These
methods have their downsides too, of course.
Every girl is different when it comes to maintaining pubic hair. Like clothing
or hairstyle, it's a matter of individual preference. Some girls don't do anything
with their pubic hair, leaving it to grow naturally. Some girls only 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 associated with removing pubic hair, so choose what feels
right for you.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Date reviewed: January 2015
