Article originally published August 11th 2016. Show
Cultural standards of beauty influence people’s personal choices on appearance — including pubic hair. In some countries, less and less hair has become a “norm” (1). But these trends don’t always have your health (or physical comfort) in mind. The media’s messaging about pubic hair is largely one-sided (2): Instagram has repeatedly taken down images of people with unshaven bikini lines and most commercials fail to show people’s natural state prior to hair removal. Social media censorship and inaccurate advertisements for shaving, waxing, laser, and chemical hair removal perpetuate the idea that pubic and body hair is unacceptable. Download Clue to track your body's changes throughout your cycle. Body shame, cleanliness, and perceptions of sexiness are common reasons people cite for pubic hair grooming (3).Specifically, a person who has received oral sex in the past month is more likely to be someone who removes their pubic hair (4). But choices around pubic hair are as diverse as bushes themselves. Many people go hairless or not for reasons that are specific to their unique bodies and lives. But there are benefits to the bush. Physically speaking, pubic hair serves as a protective barrier to genital tissues, particularly the sensitive vaginal opening (5). It also serves as a buffer against friction that can lead to damaged skin (6). Injuries caused by hair removal — including wounds, abscesses, rashes and ingrown hairs — are becoming more common. The number of visits to the emergency room because of pubic grooming jumped five-fold between 2002 and 2010 (7). These types of injuries prompt a greater likelihood of infection (5). However you choose to groom (or not groom) your pubic hair, your choice reflects what makes you feel most comfortable and confident. For those who do prefer less hair down there, trimming, shaving, waxing, sugar waxing, hair removal creams and laser hair removal are some common practices. Skin type, skin sensitivity, budget and the length of time you’d like the results to last for are all factors to consider when choosing the best hair removal method. No matter which method you choose, exfoliating using a gentle scrub beforehand will remove dead skin cells and reduce the chance of ingrown hairs. In terms of sex, pubic hair is just one part of the experience for many people. Sexiness, confidence, satisfaction and pleasure result from many factors including sexual technique, comfort level, communication and plenty of other aspects. We sent out a Twitter poll to find out how people were styling their pubic hair in 2021. After 48 hours and 397 votes, we found that “Trimmed all over” was the most popular choice!
Download Clue today to help inform decisions about your life and health. Pubic hair acts as a protective buffer, reducing friction during sex and other activities. It can also prevent the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens. Yes, pubic hair does have a purpose. Above all else, it lessens friction during sex and prevents the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens. There are probably other reasons why we have pubic hair, too. Everyone has pubic hair, but we all make different decisions as to what we do with it. Some people prefer to let it grow, while others trim it, shave it, or wax it. What you do with yours is up to you. Read on to learn more about why it grows, how it affects hygiene, the risks associated with removal, and more. When it comes to pubic hair, humans are an anomaly among mammals. However, that doesn’t mean pubic hair has no purpose at all. We’ve evolved this way for a reason. Reducing frictionThe skin on your genital region is delicate. Pubic hair acts like a protective buffer, reducing friction during sex and other activities. Some sources even refer to pubic hair as a “dry lubricant.” That’s because it’s easier to rub hair against hair than it is to rub skin against skin. Pubic hair may also keep the genitals warm, which is an important factor in sexual arousal. Protection from bacteria and other pathogensPubic hair serves a similar function to eyelashes or nose hair. That is, it traps dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms. In addition, hair follicles produce sebum, an oil which actually prevents bacteria from reproducing. It follows that pubic hair may protect against certain infections, including:
We don’t fully understand all of the reasons why we have hair down there. Some additional theories are described below. Signals reproductive abilityPubic hair appears at puberty. It’s an obvious physical sign of sexual maturity — and consequently, one’s ability to reproduce. In the past, it may have served as a visual cue for prospective mates. Pheromone transmissionAnother theory links pubic hair to the transmission of pheromones, or scent-carrying chemical secretions that affect mood and behavior. We still don’t know exactly how pheromones influence sexuality. Pheromones are secreted from apocrine sweat glands. Compared to other areas of the body, the pubic region has a lot of these glands. Therefore, as the theory goes, pubic hair may trap pheromones, increasing how attractive we appear to potential sex partners. Pubic hair growth — including location and thickness — varies from one person to the next. Some people have more pubic hair, and others have less. With that said, extreme variations in hair growth sometimes signal an underlying hormonal condition. For instance, among adults assigned female at birth, excessive pubic hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition is associated with higher-than-usual levels of testosterone, the sex hormone that controls hair growth. Other symptoms include irregular periods and hair growth elsewhere on the body, including the face. On the other hand, among people assigned male at birth, a lack of hair in the pubic region can be a sign of low testosterone production. Other symptoms of low T include a low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Talk to a doctor if you’re experiencing irregular hair growth alongside other unusual symptoms. Hormone therapy might be able to help. This is one of the most common misconceptions about pubic hair. In a nationally representative 2013 survey of 7,580 people, 59 percent of women and 61 percent of men who groomed their pubic hair reported doing so for hygienic purposes. But pubic hair isn’t actually unhygienic. Like other hair on your body, your pubes trap sweat, oil, and bacteria. So, they might have a slightly stronger odor than other areas of your body. As long as you wash regularly, this shouldn’t be cause for concern. There are a lot of reasons why people get rid of their pubic hair. Some of the most common ones are discussed below. Social normsGrooming pubic hair has been common practice for centuries. Today, at least some hair removal is common. Some theories link this trend to increased accessibility to porn, where hairlessness is the norm. A lot of people remove their pubic hair to conform to this aesthetic standard. For instance, in the 2013 survey cited above, 31.5 percent of women who reported grooming their pubic hair did so because they believed it would make their genitals more attractive. In the same survey, men were less likely than women to report grooming for this reason. Partner expectationsFor others, partner preferences drive their grooming habits. In the 2013 survey, around 21.1 percent of women reported that their pubic grooming was related to partner preference. The same survey showed that a similar percentage of men also groom according to their partner’s desire. In a 2015 study, men were more likely than women to report a preference for a pubic hair-free sexual partner. In contrast, women were more likely to cite that they preferred trimmed or partially shaved or waxed pubic hair. Personal preferenceFor some, removing their pubic hair is simply a matter of personal preference. People who prefer to remove their pubic hair often cite comfort, routine, and sexual confidence as motivating factors. Increased sensationSome people believe that removing their pubic hair increases genital sensation during sex. Indeed, studies suggest that there’s a link between pubic hair removal and self-reported sexual functioning. However, one doesn’t necessarily cause the other. There are likely other factors involved. For instance, people who remove their pubic hair are more likely to be young, so it would make sense that they also report increased sexual functioning. More research needs to be done to understand the link between pubic hair removal and sexual sensation. There are some risks associated with removing your pubic hair. InjuriesPubic grooming injuries are surprisingly common. A 2017 study based on data from the same nationally representative 2013 survey cited above reported that 25.6 percent of groomers sustained injuries during or after hair removal. In the study, cuts were the most commonly reported injury, with burns and rashes also reported frequently. In very rare cases, these injuries required medical attention. InfectionsAs mentioned above, pubic hair serves a protective function by trapping pathogens that could otherwise enter your body. Removing pubic hair may therefore make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections. Hair removal can also irritate your skin, leading to skin infections such as cellulitis and folliculitis. In other cases, grooming-related injuries, such as cuts, could become infected. Staph boilsIn rare cases, hair removal might result in the development of boils in your genital area. Boils can develop from skin irritation and infections, such as cellulitis and folliculitis. Boils usually start as red bumps just under the surface of the skin. They might be filled with pus. Boils aren’t as deep as abscesses. AbscessesAs with boils, abscesses tend to develop from irritation caused by certain hair removal methods, such as shaving or waxing. Abscesses are deep, under-the-skin infections that cause pain, swelling, and redness. STIsLimited research suggests that pubic hair grooming is associated with an increased risk of STIs. In one 2017 study, people who reported grooming their pubic hair were more likely to also report having had an STI at some point in their lifetime, compared to non-groomers. Despite this association, more evidence is needed to determine if grooming directly contributes to this increased risk. Some STIs that have been associated with pubic hair grooming include:
There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of an injury or infection during and after grooming your pubes. Try the following:
Visiting a professional to have your pubic hair removed isn’t inherently safer than doing it yourself, provided you know what you’re doing. However, waxing is probably best done by a professional since hot wax can cause burns. Keeping your bush clean is easy. You should:
There’s a reason you have pubic hair. What you do with your hair — whether you trim, shave, wax, or let it grow — is up to you. Should a woman trim her pubic hair?You don't have to remove or trim pubic hair for any health reasons. It all comes down to personal preference. Some methods may be easier for you than others but there are a number of at-home and professional options you can try if removal is your choice.
Is it healthier to trim pubes?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.
What are the benefits of trimming your pubic hair?Advantages of Trimming Pubic Hair Over Shaving. No razor burn. Since the hair is being trimmed, and a razor isn't touching the skin, you don't have to worry about it becoming irritated and red.. Less chance of razor bumps. ... . No cuts. ... . Less Itching.. What happens if you trim your pubic hair?But there's no medical reason for removing it. In fact, it can make you more vulnerable to infection, as cuts or skin irritation can make it easier for bacteria and viruses to get in. Shaving, waxing or plucking can also increase your chances of getting ingrown pubic hairs.
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Benefits of trimming pubic hair female
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