Shaving your pubic hair is a private alternative. Wish to shave it? Cool. Desire to not? Cool. And what occurs should you by no means shave pubic hair? Nothing! However there are some things to find out about easy methods to preserve your pubic space clear and contemporary should you do preserve hairs and easy methods to take away them should 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 keeping with consultants, it’s a trickier space to shave than different components of the physique. In keeping with Dr. Sarkar, visibility might be difficult, and there are numerous extra nooks, crannies, and curves to think about. Dr. Ordeberg agrees, and shares that utilizing merchandise particularly made for intimate shaving can also 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 Easy Shave Gel + Cleanser ($13) or the Fur Shave Cream ($32), each of which have been examined for areas down there.
Are there advantages to not shaving my pubic hair?
There are advantages to not shaving pubic hair altogether — you may keep away from razor bumps, cuts, or nicks — when you do not shave, you will not get irritated. The consultants be aware that should you are going to protect your pubic hair, it is necessary to maintain them as clear as you’ll every other a part of your physique. “Use an intimate wash each day,” says Dr. Ordeberg. “It is essential that the wash is formulated with pH 5 and with out irritants corresponding to 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 cut back odor?
Whereas shaving can typically cut back odor (as sweat, urine, and micro organism can not get trapped within the hair), all of the consultants agree that preserving the realm clear is extra necessary 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 Support Magnificence Ingrown Hair Pads with BHA & AHA ($30) include exfoliating glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and witch hazel substances to maintain the realm clear, clean, and ingrown-free. One of the best half is that they can be utilized on the bikini line, whether or not or not you shave, to assist eradicate 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 keeping with the entire consultants! “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 implies that if you wish to shave the realm, go for it, and if you do not, there isn’t any must.
Suggestions for shaving pubic hair
When you do need to take away pubic hair, there are some things to remember. First, ensure you’re utilizing a clear, sharp razor. “When 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 right 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. “If you shave towards the hair, that is once you’ll have extra of a bent to get ingrowns,” says Dr. Bottiglione. When 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 keeping with the consultants. “Shave in an space with nice lighting and a visible software—you are much less more likely to lower your self should you can truly see and attain the hair you are attempting 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 spotlight it wants.”
Lastly, after-care is necessary. “Soothe and moisturize the pores and skin with mild substances, and opposite to what many assume, 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 decide like Nécessaire The Physique Lotion ($28), which has niacinamide and multi-vitamins. A moisturizing physique oil will 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, but it surely’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. When you do not shave your pubic hair, nothing occurs, but it surely’s necessary to maintain it clear with a day by day genital-friendly wash and exfoliant to maintain odor at bay.
When you do select to shave pubic hair, use a clear, sharp razor, take it sluggish, and eradicate ingrowns on the bikini line with an exfoliating tonic or pads. After you shave, or even should you do not, full your pubic hair routine with a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer or oil. It is your pubic hair and you are able to do with it as you want.
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