Walk into any drugstore and you’ll see rows of pink plastic. Razors, depilatory creams, wax strips that promise to leave you "silky smooth." It’s everywhere. For decades, the media has essentially scrubbed the idea of body hair from our collective consciousness. But lately, things are shifting. We are seeing more women with hairy vaginas reclaiming their natural state, and honestly, it’s about time we had a real conversation about why this is happening.
It’s not just a trend. It’s biology.
Hair is there for a reason. Evolution doesn't usually keep things around just to annoy us or make us spend forty dollars on a Brazilian wax every three weeks. From a strictly medical perspective, pubic hair acts as a literal barrier. It protects the sensitive skin of the vulva from friction during exercise or sex. It also traps pheromones. Dr. Jen Gunter, an OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, has been vocal about how pubic hair serves as a "buffer" against pathogens. When you strip that away with a razor, you’re often left with micro-tears in the skin. Those tiny cuts are basically an open door for bacteria.
Why did we start hating it so much?
If you look back at art history—think Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus—the lack of hair was an aesthetic choice rooted in "purity" tropes. Fast forward to the 1990s and 2000s, and the "pornographication" of mainstream media pushed the total-removal look into the stratosphere. It became the default. If you didn't look like a hairless mannequin, you were "messy." That’s a heavy burden to carry.
The Reality of Choosing Natural Pubic Hair
Choosing to go natural isn't always a political statement, though it can be. Sometimes it’s just laziness. Or comfort. Ever had an ingrown hair turn into a painful, cyst-like bump? It's miserable. Women with hairy vaginas often report a massive decrease in skin irritation once they stop the constant cycle of shaving and regrowth. The "itchy phase" of hair growing back is enough to make anyone want to throw their razor in the trash.
Social media is actually helping for once.
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Instagram and TikTok have seen a surge in "body neutrality" creators. People like Januhairy founder Laura Jackson have pushed the idea that hair isn't a "brave" choice—it's just a choice. We see celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski or Julia Fox occasionally sporting natural growth in high-fashion shoots. This visibility matters because it breaks the illusion that hairlessness is the only way to be "feminine."
Let's talk about the smell. There is a common misconception that hair is "dirty." This is factually incorrect. Hair doesn't create odors; bacteria interacting with sweat does. As long as you’re washing with water or a very mild, pH-balanced cleanser on the external skin, hair doesn't change your hygiene level one bit. In fact, removing it can sometimes disrupt the natural balance of the area.
What Research Says About Grooming Habits
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that a staggering 84% of women reported some form of pubic hair grooming. However, the study also noted that those who groomed frequently were more likely to report injuries. We're talking about burns from hot wax, cuts from dull blades, and severe folliculitis.
Is it worth it?
Maybe for some. But the demographic of women with hairy vaginas is growing because people are weighing the pros and cons. They’re realizing that the "standard" was largely manufactured by marketing departments.
Breaking Down the Maintenance Myth
Some people think "natural" means "no maintenance." Not necessarily. Just like the hair on your head, pubic hair can be managed without being eliminated.
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- Trimming: Using safety shears or electric trimmers with a guard prevents skin contact.
- Conditioning: Some people use specific oils (like Fur Oil) to soften the hair so it doesn't poke through lace underwear.
- Exfoliation: Even if you aren't shaving, exfoliating the skin underneath helps keep things healthy.
The variety of hair types is wild. Some women have fine, light hair that barely shows. Others have thick, coarse, curly hair that extends down the thighs. Both are normal. The "landing strip" or the "triangle" were just mid-points in a history of grooming that is now swinging back toward "full bush" territory.
The Partner Dynamic and Confidence
A lot of the fear surrounding body hair comes from what a partner might think. It’s a vulnerable area. But honestly? Most adults don't care as much as the magazines told us they would. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggested that while preferences vary, the most important factor in sexual satisfaction was the confidence of the individual, not the presence or absence of hair.
If you feel sexy, you are sexy.
If you're nervous about "going natural," try a transition period. Stop shaving for a month. See how your skin feels. Notice if your sensitivity changes. Some women find that they actually enjoy the sensation of hair during intimacy—it adds another layer of tactile feedback.
There's also the financial aspect. Think about the money. A decent wax costs $50-$80 plus tip. If you go every month, that’s nearly a thousand dollars a year. That is a vacation. That is a new wardrobe. For many, the movement toward being one of the many women with hairy vaginas is a simple act of financial and temporal rebellion. You get your time back. No more contorting in the shower trying to reach angles that shouldn't exist.
Practical Steps for Embracing Your Natural State
If you’re ready to ditch the razor, here’s how to do it without the discomfort.
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First, expect the itch. The first two weeks of regrowth are the hardest because the blunt ends of the hair (from your last shave) will poke the skin. Use a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer or a dedicated "bush oil" to keep the hair soft.
Second, invest in a good pair of trimming scissors. You don't have to look like a 1970s adult film star if you don't want to; you can keep things tidy at the edges while letting the main area stay natural. It’s about your comfort, not a set of rules.
Third, check your internal monologue. If you feel "gross," ask yourself why. Is it because you're actually dirty? (Unlikely). Or is it because you've been conditioned to see a natural body part as a flaw?
Switching to breathable cotton underwear also helps. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can trap moisture against the hair, which might lead to irritation. Cotton allows the skin and hair to breathe, keeping the microbiome happy.
Finally, own it. Whether you’re at the gym, the beach, or in the bedroom, your body hair is just a part of you. It doesn't define your hygiene, your femininity, or your worth. The shift toward natural grooming is a sign of a society becoming more comfortable with actual human bodies, flaws and furs and all.
Stop fighting your biology. Let it grow, trim it back, or do whatever makes you feel most like yourself. The freedom of not caring about a stray hair peeking out of a swimsuit is, quite frankly, life-changing.