You’ve probably looked at a razor or a tub of hot wax and wondered why we even do this. It feels like a modern chore, something born out of Instagram or the 1990s, but the truth is way more chaotic. If you want to know when did women start shaving their privates, you have to look back much further than the invention of the pink disposable razor. We’re talking thousands of years.
Humans are weird about hair.
Ancient Egyptians were basically obsessed with being hairless. For them, body hair was a sign of being "uncivilized" or belonging to a lower class. They didn't just stop at the armpits. Women in Egypt used copper razors, sharpened stones, and even early versions of "sugaring"—a mix of honey and sugar—to rip hair out by the root. It wasn't just a trend; it was a standard of hygiene in a blistering hot climate where lice were a constant nightmare.
The Ancient World and the Smooth Ideal
In the Roman Empire, things got even more intense. If you were an upper-class woman, having pubic hair was often seen as a sign of being primitive. Statues from this era, like the famous Venus de Milo, show women with completely smooth pelvic areas. This wasn't an artistic accident. It reflected the reality of the Roman baths, where women used tweezers called volsella and caustic creams made of bat blood or powdered viper to keep things bare.
It sounds painful. Because it was.
But history isn't a straight line. While the Mediterranean was busy plucking everything in sight, other parts of the world had totally different vibes. In many Eastern cultures, particularly in the Islamic world, grooming was—and is—deeply tied to religious purity. The fitra (natural inclinations) in Islam suggests removing pubic and underarm hair at least every 40 days. So, for millions of women throughout the Middle Ages, "when did women start shaving their privates" isn't a question of modern fashion, but of centuries-old spiritual practice.
📖 Related: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
The Great Pubic Hair Disappearance (and Reappearance)
Fast forward to the Renaissance. You’d think with all that art, we’d see a lot of grooming, right? Actually, it went the other way. Pubic hair was often ignored in paintings, but not because it was gone. It was just... hidden. Interestingly, this was also the era of the "merkin."
Yes, a pubic wig.
Because lice were still a massive problem, many women would shave their pubic hair to get rid of the pests. But since being completely bare was sometimes associated with sex work or disease, they’d wear a merkin made of goat hair or silk to look "natural" again. History is nothing if not a giant circle of contradictions.
By the time the Victorian era rolled around, the conversation moved indoors. We don't have many records of "average" women shaving their privates during the 1800s because, frankly, people didn't talk about it. Modesty was the law of the land. Most historians agree that for the average Western woman in 1880, the idea of shaving her bikini line would have been bizarre. There was no "bikini line." You wore layers of wool and cotton that covered everything from your neck to your ankles.
The 20th Century: Razors, Hemlines, and G-Strings
The real shift—the one that leads to the modern "norm"—happened because of the fashion industry. Around 1915, Gillette released the "Milady Décolleté," the first razor marketed specifically to women. It targeted underarm hair because sleeveless dresses were becoming popular. But the nether regions stayed hairy for a few more decades.
👉 See also: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
Everything changed with the swimsuit.
In the 1940s, fabric rationing during World War II meant swimsuits got smaller. The "bikini" debuted in 1946, and suddenly, hair peeking out from the sides of a garment was a public faux pas. This is really when did women start shaving their privates in a way that resembles our modern routine. It was a matter of boundaries. You shaved what the suit couldn't hide.
The 1970s Bush vs. The 1990s Brazilian
If you look at Playboy magazines from the 1970s, the "natural look" was the gold standard. It was the era of the "full bush." It was feminist, it was earthy, and it was the norm. So, what happened?
Two words: The J. Sisters.
In 1987, seven Brazilian sisters opened a salon in Manhattan. They introduced the Brazilian wax—removing every single strand of hair from front to back. It didn't take off instantly. But by the mid-90s, thanks to shows like Sex and the City and the rise of high-cut lingerie, the "Barbie Doll" look became a massive cultural force. Suddenly, having hair was seen as "messy" or "unhygienic," even though doctors will tell you that pubic hair actually serves a purpose, like protecting the skin from friction and trapping bacteria.
✨ Don't miss: Virgo Love Horoscope for Today and Tomorrow: Why You Need to Stop Fixing People
Why the Trend is Shifting Again
Honestly, we’re in a weird transition period right now. The "completely bare" look that dominated the early 2000s is losing its grip. A 2021 study published in JAMA Dermatology noted that while younger women are still more likely to groom, there is a growing movement toward "body neutrality."
People are tired of the maintenance.
Shaving causes ingrown hairs. Waxing is expensive. Laser hair removal hurts like crazy. We’re seeing a return to the "groomed but present" look—the "landing strip" or just a tidy trim. The Gen Z influence on this is huge; there's a much bigger emphasis on doing what feels comfortable rather than what a billboard tells you to do.
What You Should Actually Know About Grooming
If you're currently deciding whether to stick with the razor or let it grow, here are some cold, hard facts from a dermatological perspective:
- Pubic hair is a barrier. It's there to reduce friction during exercise and sex. Removing it completely can make the skin more prone to "micro-tears."
- The "Hygiene" Myth. There is no medical evidence that having pubic hair is "dirty." As long as you wash with basic soap and water, you're fine. In fact, shaving can sometimes increase the risk of spreading skin infections like Molluscum Contagiosum or even certain STIs because of those tiny cuts.
- Ingrowns are preventable. If you do shave, use a single-blade razor and shave with the grain. Using those 5-blade "moisture strip" razors often cuts the hair too short, allowing it to curl back under the skin.
- Exfoliation is king. Whether you wax or shave, if you don't exfoliate the dead skin away, the hair gets trapped. Simple as that.
The history of when did women start shaving their privates shows us that the "ideal" body is just a reflection of the tools and fashions of the time. In Egypt, it was copper and honey. In the 90s, it was painful wax and cultural pressure. Today, it’s whatever you want it to be.
If you choose to groom, focus on skin health rather than total hair eradication. Use a sharp, clean blade every single time. Never skip the shaving cream—soap is too drying for that specific type of skin. If you prefer the natural route, just keep it clean and moisturized to prevent itching. There is no "right" way to look, only the way that makes you feel most like yourself in your own skin.
Practical Steps for Better Skin Health:
- Switch to an electric trimmer if you struggle with chronic ingrown hairs; it keeps the hair short without breaking the skin barrier.
- Wait 24 hours after shaving or waxing before hitting a pool or a gym to avoid irritating the open follicles.
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or a specialized "bikini oil" immediately after hair removal to soothe the inflammatory response.
- Sterilize your tools. If you use a reusable razor, dip it in rubbing alcohol after use to kill bacteria that thrive in damp bathrooms.