Illustration by Katrin Friedmann
Pubic hair: to groom or not to groom
Styling pubic hair has become common in some cultures, but there are benefits to the bush
Article originally published August 11th 2016.
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.
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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!
Whether you’re rocking the bush, or waxing it all off, it’s your body, your choice.
Download Clue today to help inform decisions about your life and health.
