It is the question everyone asks their mirror but rarely their doctor: are you supposed to shave your pubic hair or just let it vibe? If you walk into a locker room today, you’ll see everything from total hairlessness to full-on 1970s hedges. There is no law. There is no "correct" setting. Yet, the pressure to be smooth is massive, driven by a mix of porn aesthetics, swimwear trends, and a weirdly persistent myth that hair is somehow "unclean."
Honestly? Your body doesn't care about the aesthetic. From a biological standpoint, that hair is there for a reason. It acts as a buffer against friction during sex and keeps bacteria from getting a VIP pass into your more sensitive bits. But we live in a world of razors and lasers. If you’re wondering if you’re "supposed" to be doing something specific with your grooming routine, the answer is a messy "it depends."
The Biological Job of Pubic Hair
Evolution isn't accidental. Humans lost most of their thick body hair thousands of years ago, but we kept the patches under our arms and in our groin. Why? Because these areas are high-friction zones. Pubic hair acts like a dry lubricant. It prevents skin-on-skin chafing when you're walking, running, or having sex. Think of it as a natural barrier.
Beyond friction, it’s a trap. Not the bad kind. It’s designed to trap pheromones—those chemical signals that play a role in human attraction—and to catch dirt or pathogens before they reach the vaginal opening or the urethra. Dr. Jen Gunter, a board-certified OB/GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, has been vocal about this for years. She often points out that pubic hair has a functional purpose, and removing it can actually leave the skin vulnerable to microscopic tears.
These tiny tears are invisible to the eye. You won't see them, but bacteria do. They see them as a front-row invitation. When you strip away the hair, you're also stripping away a layer of protection.
Why Everyone Started Shaving Anyway
If hair is so great, why did we decide it was gross? It wasn’t always this way. In the early 20th century, shaving "down there" wasn't a thing for the average person. The shift started subtly with rising hemlines and the invention of the bikini in the 1940s. Suddenly, hair peeking out of a swimsuit was a social faux pas.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, the "Brazilian" wax became the gold standard of beauty. Pop culture pushed the idea that being completely hairless was more "hygienic." Spoiler: it’s not. In fact, a study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections suggested that frequent groomers might actually have a slightly higher risk of certain STIs, like molluscum contagiosum or HPV, because the skin irritation from shaving makes it easier for viruses to take hold.
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The "cleanliness" argument is basically a marketing tactic. As long as you wash with basic soap and water, hair doesn't make you dirty. It’s just hair.
The Risks: What Happens When You Shave
Shaving is the most common method of hair removal because it’s cheap and fast. It's also the most likely to cause a literal headache for your skin. When you shave, you’re cutting the hair at a sharp angle right at the surface. As it grows back, that sharp tip can easily curl under and poke back into the skin.
Welcome to the world of ingrown hairs.
Folliculitis and Abscesses
Sometimes, it’s not just a red bump. It’s folliculitis—an infection of the hair follicle. This happens when bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus) gets into the pore. In some cases, people end up in the emergency room with a full-blown abscess that needs to be drained. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a reality for a significant percentage of people who shave aggressively against the grain.
Razor Burn
This is basically a localized inflammatory response. If you’ve ever felt that stinging, itchy sensation an hour after getting out of the shower, you know exactly what this is. It’s your skin screaming because you just scraped off its protective top layer.
The Itch
The regrowth phase is the worst. Period. As those thousands of tiny, stiff hairs start to poke through the skin simultaneously, it creates an itch that can drive a person to distraction. This is often the main reason people wonder are you supposed to shave your pubic hair in the first place—they do it once, regret the itch, and wonder if they did something wrong.
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If You Choose to Shave: A Better Way
Look, telling someone not to shave is like telling them what color to dye their hair. It’s a personal choice. If you feel more confident or comfortable being smooth, you just need to do it smarter. The "hack-and-slash" method in a quick morning shower is a recipe for disaster.
- Trim first. Never take a razor to a forest. Use electric clippers to get the hair down to a manageable length. This prevents the razor from clogging and pulling.
- Soak. Spend at least ten minutes in warm water. This softens the hair and opens the pores.
- Exfoliate. Use a very gentle scrub or a washcloth to get rid of dead skin cells that might trap hairs.
- Use a fresh razor. This is non-negotiable. A dull blade drags. You want a sharp blade that glides.
- Shave with the grain. Going "against the grain" gives a closer shave, but it’s the number one cause of ingrowns. Shave in the direction the hair grows.
- Moisturize. Use an unscented, hypoallergenic lotion or oil afterward to calm the skin.
Alternatives to the Razor
Maybe you hate shaving but still want the hair gone. You have options, though none are perfect.
Waxing pulls the hair from the root. It lasts longer—usually three to six weeks—but it hurts. A lot. It can also cause "wax burns" if the technician isn't careful. Over time, waxing can damage the follicle so the hair grows back thinner, which is a plus for many.
Laser Hair Removal is the heavy hitter. It uses light to destroy the follicle. It’s expensive and takes multiple sessions, but it’s the closest thing to permanent. If you’re tired of asking are you supposed to shave your pubic hair every three days, this might be the answer. Just know that "permanent" often means "mostly gone," and you might still need touch-ups years later.
Depilatory Creams are chemical hair removers. They dissolve the hair at the surface. Warning: these chemicals are harsh. Putting them near the most sensitive skin on your body is risky. Always do a patch test on your leg before applying it to your pubic area.
The Grooming Middle Ground: Trimming
There is a growing movement toward the "tidy" look. This involves using electric trimmers to keep the hair short—maybe a quarter-inch long—without ever touching the skin with a blade.
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This is arguably the healthiest option.
You keep the biological benefits of the hair (protection, friction reduction) while avoiding the risks of shaving (ingrowns, infections, itching). It’s the "best of both worlds" scenario. Most electric trimmers come with guards that prevent the blades from nicking the skin, making the process almost foolproof.
Social Trends and the Return of the Bush
We’re currently seeing a massive shift in how people view body hair. Gen Z, in particular, is leaning toward a more "natural" aesthetic. Influencers and celebrities are increasingly open about not hair-removing. This isn't just a fashion statement; it's a rejection of the idea that a person’s natural state is somehow "unclean."
Public health experts generally support this shift. From a strictly medical perspective, a person who doesn't shave their pubic hair is often "healthier" in that specific area because their skin barrier remains intact. There’s no risk of razor burn, no risk of staph infections from micro-cuts, and no constant inflammation.
Actionable Steps for Your Routine
If you’re currently stuck in a cycle of shaving and suffering, it’s time to audit your routine. You don't have to go full "natural" if you don't want to, but you should prioritize skin health over a perfect finish.
- Take a Break: If you have active red bumps or irritation, stop shaving immediately. Let the hair grow for a week or two to allow the skin to heal.
- Switch to Clippers: Buy a dedicated waterproof trimmer for the groin. Use a guard. It’s a game-changer for comfort.
- Check Your Products: If you’re using scented body washes or harsh soaps in that area, stop. Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
- Consult a Pro: If you have a bump that is painful, hot to the touch, or getting bigger, don't DIY the surgery. See a doctor. It could be an abscess that needs professional attention.
- Listen to Your Body: If shaving makes you miserable for four days just to have two days of smoothness, the math doesn't add up. It's okay to change your mind about what you think looks good.
The reality is that are you supposed to shave your pubic hair is a question with a personal answer, not a medical one. If you want to, do it safely. If you don't, you're actually doing your skin a favor. Your worth isn't tied to the presence or absence of a few follicles, so choose the path that makes you feel the most comfortable in your own skin.