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Pubic hair

Pubic hair grows on and around the genital area of teens and adults, including over the pubic bone, the labia, the base of the penis, the scrotum and the upper inner thighs.

Managing pubic hair

Trimming, shaping or removing pubic hair is a personal preference. Some people prefer to let their pubic hair grow naturally, while other people like to trim or remove their pubic hair entirely.

People trim their pubic hair for many different reasons. Pubic hair can be trimmed to stop it from showing outside a bathing suit, to prevent it from being caught on clothing or zippers, or to stop it from being caught on a condom. Many people trim their pubic hair for esthetic reasons.

Removing pubic hair

There are no known health benefits to removing pubic hair. A common belief is that pubic hair removal improves hygiene, but it is not necessary to remove the hair to keep the genital area clean.

Methods to temporarily remove pubic hair include scissors, shaving, sugaring, cream hair removers, waxing and laser hair removal. The only method that permanently removes hair is electrolysis.

Risks of removing pubic hair

There are a number of possible risks or side effects of removing your pubic hair, including: 

  • Rash, redness or razor burn. You can lower the risk of this by using a new razor each time and shaving only in the direction of the hair growth.
  • Infection in the hair root called folliculitis. This can be treated using an antibiotic cream. Clean your skin with soap and water and gently pat dry or dry using a hair dryer on the cool setting before applying a thin layer of antibiotic cream. It is best to wait until the infection clears before removing the hair again.
  • Chemical burn from cream hair removers. You should consider doing a skin test on your inner arm first to see if you may have an allergic reaction. Choose a product that is made for sensitive genital skin and do not leave on longer than recommended.
  • Spreading molluscum contagiosum by shaving. It is best to trim down the hair around the molluscum bumps and wait until the bumps have cleared before shaving again.

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