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Pubic Hair Removal Options

From: San Francisco Sex Information

Q: Do you have suggestions for removing pubic hair by shaving, waxing, or otherwise?

A: Sure! First, we'd like to say there's nothing freaky or abnormal about having pubic hair, and there is nothing freaky or abnormal about removing this hair. There is no "right" way to have your pubic hair. Everyone feels differently about this issue. Shaving is a preference. Whether you choose to shave or not, it's all good.

Some people who remove their pubic hair do it for their own pleasure or fun, some people do it for their partner's pleasure or fun, and some do it for both reasons. Some people remove a small amount of hair because of a new small bathing suit, and some people remove 100% of their pubic hair.

People shave legs, trim pit hair, pluck eyebrows and likewise many love to shave their pubes. Think of the genitals as another body part you have the choice to pamper. There are several ways to remove public hair: the most common is shaving, but you can also use wax or chemical depilatories.

For all of these methods, it's important to know that everyone can have skin or hair reactions that don't feel good. That's why it's important to test an area (a "test patch") and wait a few days to see how it works for you. See "Possible Drawbacks" below for more info.

WAXING

You can also get pubic hair waxed professionally, which involves adding strips of hot wax on some cloth. When it hardens, the cloth with the wax and your hair is ripped off quickly. You can also buy kits at pharmacies -- although you might need a friend to help you with it. If you wax regularly, the hair does not come in as quickly, nor as thick, so if you try this you might want to try it a few times (separated by a few weeks) to get the best effect.

SHAVING PUBIC HAIR

If you decide you want to do a little pubic shaving, whether you're a male or female, grab a fresh razor and pay close attention to the following steps to avoid in-grown hairs and infections, which can appear as itchy or painful bumps.

Trim It.

To make this process easier, trim the genital area before applying the razor! You'll save blades this way. Electric razors, clippers (with safety guards) or scissors work well. To get a closer cut and avoid unwanted nicks, pull the hair up then trim away. If the art of pubic shaving is new, you may want to let the hair short for a couple of days. This allows the genitals to become comfortable the transition you are about to make.

Soak it.

Soak the pubic area in warm to hot water, or lay a warm cloth over the area for about 10 minutes. This softens coarse pubic hair and makes it easier to shave and style.

Lather it.

Never dry shave your pubic area! If you do pain and irritation will most likely follow. Use shaving cream or gel to lather the pubic area. A thin layer of petroleum jelly will foster a closer shave. Soap doesn't make the best lather for pubic shaving. (Note that some people may have allergic reactions to certain lathering products.)

Shave it.

Now your pubic area is ready to meet the razor. There are many different ways to style this area. Think about it before you start and be as creative as you desire. It is recommended to shave the same way the hair grows. However to get a closer shave you may want to also shave in the opposite direction. Some state this causes red bumps and ingrown hairs, but everyone is different. If you feel comfortable, try it. In addition, don't constantly stroke the same area during the shave, this may irritate the skin. Two to three short strokes are ideal. Lastly, stretch the skin to reach the difficult hairy spots.

First-Timers: The pubic area is sensitive and may take time to adjust to the razor. Four to six is common. In addition, slowly acquaint the genitals with shaving. Once a week is plenty for your first month. Don't worry about a smooth shave the first month.

Exfoliate (remove dead skin)

One thing that people forget that is very important is to clean your skin after shaving. The best way is with a "loofa sponge" and your normal body soap. Due to sensitivity of this area, rub lightly with the sponge to prevent skin irritation. This will help remove anything that might clog the pores.

Moisturize it.

After the shave is completed rinse, dry and moisturize the freshly shaven pubic area. Baby oil and aloe Vera are two suggestions. It's best to avoid moisturizers that contain fragrances and colors, since this may cause irritation. In addition, you may want to powder the area afterwards for comfort. Don't use products that include talcum, it causes irritation.

Upkeep It.

Wash shaven genitals on a daily basis. This helps remove unwanted oils and sweat. In addition, you may wish to moisturize and powder the area daily to avoid irritation. If you keep the hair short, you'll avoid stubbles, which causes itching. Try to wear cotton underwear and to stay away from tight fitting cloths pants. The lack of air circulation and friction of tight cloths may lead to in-grown hairs.

There are a few products that that seem preferred by our callers and colleagues to reduce irritation and in-grown hairs. Your experience may be different. They recommend the Gillete Mach 3 razor, Edge Shaving Gel for Sensitive Skin (with the orange top), and Lubriderm moisturizing cream.

CHEMICAL DEPILATORIES

Chemical depilatories "melt" the hair off using foul-smelling chemicals. If you buy waxing kits or chemical depilitories, it's very important you buy one that it is advertised as safe for pubic regions. Even if it says it's safe for pubic reasons, some people believe these chemicals are dangerous to get too close to your genitals, so they might be safer for "bikini waxes" that don't get too close to your genitals. Read the boxes carefully and use your judgement on these products. Remember to do a "test patch" to see how your body deals with these chemicals and wait a few days to see if there are any side effects.

ELECTROLYSIS AND LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Electroylsis uses electricity on your hair folicles to remove hair permanently (or at least a very long time). Laser hair removal uses laser light to do the same thing. There are commercial salons that can do these services.

Both are very effective, relatively painless, much less likely to have in-grown hairs. The downside is that both processes are fairly expensive.

We strongly recommend the following two top rated ways to remove pubic hair.