What Occurs If You By no means Shave Your Pubic Hair?

Shaving your pubic hair is a private alternative. Need to shave it? Cool. Desire to not? Cool. And what occurs in case you by no means shave pubic hair? Nothing! However there are some things to learn about how you can preserve your pubic space clear and contemporary in case you do preserve hairs and how you can take away them in case you so select. Right here, we spoke with Gunvor Ekman Ordeberg, MD; Richard Bottiglione, MD; and Papri Sarkar, MD, about whether or not it is protected to shave your pubic hair, the advantages of not shaving them, and the way to take action safely—whether or not you select to all the time, generally or by no means shave your pubic hair. 

Can I shave my pubic hair? Is it protected?

Sure, it’s protected to shave your pubic hair, however in accordance with specialists, it’s a trickier space to shave than different elements of the physique. In accordance with Dr. Sarkar, visibility may be difficult, and there are a lot of extra nooks, crannies, and curves to contemplate. Dr. Ordeberg agrees, and shares that utilizing merchandise particularly made for intimate shaving can be important to keep away from irritation, razor burn, ingrown, and folliculitis. This means choosing shaving merchandise designed for the pubic space, just like the Billie V Clean Shave Gel + Cleanser ($13) or the Fur Shave Cream ($32), each of which have been examined for areas down there.

Associated Tales

Are there advantages to not shaving my pubic hair?

There are advantages to not shaving pubic hair altogether — you’ll be able to keep away from razor bumps, cuts, or nicks — when you do not shave, you will not get irritated. The specialists notice that in case you are going to protect your pubic hair, it is essential to maintain them as clear as you’d every other a part of your physique. “Use an intimate wash every day,” says Dr. Ordeberg. “It is essential that the wash is formulated with pH 5 and with out irritants resembling important oils, perfumes, and so forth.” Go for a genital-safe wash just like the Love Wellness pH Balancing Cleanser ($16), which is fragrance-free and non-irritating.

Does shaving pubic hair scale back odor?

Whereas shaving can usually scale back odor (as sweat, urine, and micro organism can not get trapped within the hair), all of the specialists agree that conserving the realm clear is extra essential for odor discount than shaving it. Because of this, Dr. Sarkar recommends utilizing a product with a chemical exfoliant to reduce bacterial carriage and completely wash the realm. The First Help Magnificence Ingrown Hair Pads with BHA & AHA ($30) include exfoliating glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and witch hazel components to maintain the realm clear, clean, and ingrown-free. The perfect half is that they can be utilized on the bikini line, whether or not or not you shave, to assist remove odor and micro organism. 

What occurs if I do not shave my pubic hair?

If you do not shave your pubic hair, nothing occurs, in accordance with the entire specialists! “The hair will get lengthy, however by not shaving, you are much less more likely to get irritation on the pores and skin,” says Dr. Bottiglione. Dr. Ordeberg echoes this sentiment and shares that no research present the advantages of shaving vs. not shaving pubic hair. This signifies that if you wish to shave the realm, go for it, and if you do not, there is no have to.

Suggestions for shaving pubic hair

In case you do wish to take away pubic hair, there are some things to bear in mind. First, ensure you’re utilizing a clear, sharp razor. “In case you use a blade that’s boring, broken, or unclean, you are extra in danger for razor burn, cuts, or infections,” says Dr. Sarkar. It is also essential to keep away from storing your razors within the bathe, as useless pores and skin cells and humidity are the proper buffet for micro organism and fungus. “Clear it and go away it in a cool, dry place. This is one space the place I am all for a brand new razor each single shave,” she says.

One other tip is to all the time shave within the route the hair grows. “Whenever you shave in opposition to the hair, that is whenever you’ll have extra of an inclination to get ingrowns,” says Dr. Bottiglione. In case you do have ingrowns, ensure you’re making use of an exfoliating product to the bikini line, just like the Billie Final Pores and skin Resolution ($14) or the Topicals Excessive Curler Ingrown Hair Tonic ($26), to assist reduce irritation.

Subsequent, visibility is key, in accordance with the specialists. “Shave in an space with nice lighting and a visible device—you are much less more likely to reduce your self in case you can really see and attain the hair you are making an attempt to take away,” says Dr. Sarkar. She recommends utilizing a mirror, pulling the pores and skin taught, and going sluggish. “It is a delicate space so deal with it as such—give it the time and a focus it wants.”

Lastly, after-care is essential. “Soothe and moisturize the pores and skin with mild components, and opposite to what many suppose, keep away from making use of alcohol [to the area] as a result of it is a main irritant that may dry out the pores and skin,” says Dr. Ordeberg. As a substitute, moisturize the bikini line with a fragrance-free, mild choose like Nécessaire The Physique Lotion ($28), which has niacinamide and multi-vitamins. A moisturizing physique oil may also be used whether or not you shave or not. Fur Oil ($26) is a crowd favourite with grape seed, jojoba, and tea tree oil to assist soothe the realm post-shave, or it can be utilized on full-length pubic hair to melt its texture.

Closing takeaway

It’s protected to shave your pubic hair, however it’s additionally protected to by no means shave your pubic hair. The advantages of not shaving pubic hair are avoiding irritation, cuts, and ingrowns—when you do not shave, you will not get irritated. In case you do not shave your pubic hair, nothing occurs, however it’s essential to maintain it clear with a every day genital-friendly wash and exfoliant to maintain odor at bay. 

In case you do select to shave pubic hair, use a clear, sharp razor, take it sluggish, and remove ingrowns on the bikini line with an exfoliating tonic or pads. After you shave, or even in case you do not, full your pubic hair routine with a delicate, fragrance-free moisturizer or oil. It is your pubic hair and you are able to do with it as you want.