Pubic Hair Removal: Shaving | Sutter Health (2024)

One change puberty brings is increased body hair. Some teens and young adults choose to depilate, or remove body hair. For females, the most common areas to depilate are underarms, legs, pubic area, eyebrows and face. For males, the most common areas are the face, abdomen, back, chest, groin and legs. Shaving is the most common way to depilate the underarms, legs and pubic area.

Shaving the pubic area has become much more common among teenagers and young adults. However, that doesn’t mean you should do it. Shaving is a personal choice.

Any kind of depilation – shaving, waxing, clipping, tweezing, threading or laser treatment – can have health consequences. Your pubic area is especially sensitive to hair removal. If you decide to shave your pubic area, here’s what you need to know.

Anatomy

The pubic area consists of the:

• Lower abdomen.
• Mons pubis, the soft mound of flesh raised above the genitals by a pad of fat under the skin that protects the pubic bone. It’s usually much more pronounced in females than in males.
• Genitals.
• Perineum, the strip of skin between the genitals and anus.
• Anus.
• Buttocks.
• Bikini area, the area along the lower abdomen and between the legs that’s exposed by bikini-style undergarments.

You can shave all of these areas.

Possible Consequences From Shaving

• Itching.
• Razor burn.
• Nicks and cuts.
• Bumps, blisters or pimples.
• Genital infections.
• Ingrown hairs.
• Gas noises. A lack of hair around the anus makes it impossible to pass gas silently.
• Folliculitis. This infection in a hair follicle is usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus. A common cause of folliculitis is recently shaved hairs that regrow out of the follicle and curl back around.
• Time loss. To keep the pubic area smooth and hairless, you’ll need to shave regularly, even daily. Consider if this is worth the trouble; it may become tedious after four or five weeks.
• Cost. You’ll need to invest in special shaving equipment and care.

Treatments

If you experience problems, some treatments can help. However, these are not comprehensive. If you’re having any serious problems, consult your medical provider.

• Itching or irritation — Apply 1% hydrocortisone lotion two or three times per day. Avoid shaving for two months.
• Razor burn — Use aloe vera gel to soothe sensitive skin and help reduce pain.
• Bumps —Take a warm bath. See your doctor if the bumps don’t clear up after one week.
• Blisters or pimples — As long as they’re not painful and don’t bother you, there’s no problem. Keep them clean and dry. Don’t pick at them.
• Genital infections — Consult your doctor or visit Planned Parenthood.
• Ingrown hairs — Don’t pick at them; this could cause infection. To prevent ingrown hairs, shave downward with the angle of the hair, or clip hairs instead of shaving. Some creams can exfoliate the skin and treat ingrown hairs. Check with your medical provider.
• Folliculitis — If folliculitis is mild, use a topical over-the-counter antibiotic, such as Neosporin or bacitracin. Use it two or three times per day.

Remember: These treatments are simply recommendations. If symptoms don’t clear up, consult your medical provider.

Shaving Myths

Be aware of some myths:

• Hair will regrow faster. False. After shaving, hair will not regrow any faster or slower than it did before you started shaving; you’ll probably just notice it more.
• Hair will become thicker. False. Your body has a set number of hair follicles, and no new ones are created after you shave. This means that the hairs will not be thicker than they were before you started shaving.
• Shaving always creates ingrown hairs. False. Every person is susceptible to ingrown hairs to a different extent. Some people get more ingrown hairs than others. That being said, you won’t get ingrown hairs every time you shave. Furthermore, certain practices and products help reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs when shaving, including scrubbing the area with a loofah or shaving in the direction of hair growth.
• Shaving your pubic area will get rid of crabs and other STIs. False. Pedicularis pubis, commonly known as crabs or pubic lice, is highly infectious and transmitted through sexual contact. Shaving will not get rid of it. Shaving also won’t protect you from getting other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that require medical treatment.

How to Shave the Pubic Area

If you decide you want to shave your pubic area, here’s a how-to guide in 10 easy steps.

1. Go shopping for the appropriate supplies:

• A pair of sharp scissors.
• A new safety razor (no dull, disposable or switchblade razors), preferably with moisturizing strips and “micro-fins” or cushions. These provide extra protection from nicks and cuts. Using an electric razor is not recommended.
• Female shaving cream, soft baby oil and aloe vera cream (preferably with vitamin E). Female shaving cream is recommended for both male and female pubic shaving because it’s milder and gentler than almost any male shaving cream. Also, male shaving creams are often perfumed, which may cause stinging and irritation. Choose a cream for your skin type. If you can’t find specialized creams for female shaving, use the mildest, non-perfumed male variety. For aftercare, use baby oil to prevent pimples and aloe vera cream to calm inflamed skin.
• Tweezers and hair conditioner (optional). Hair conditioner can help soften the hair before shaving. Tweezers can remove stray or hard-to-reach hairs.
• Keri Lotion.
• Aveeno moisturizing products with oatmeal.
• Eucerin creams and lotions.
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.

1. Use the scissors to clip as much of the pubic hair as possible. This will help make the shaving less painful and more effective.
2. After cropping as much hair as possible, soak in a hot bath or shower for at least three minutes to make the pubic area soft and smooth. This will allow you to shave more easily and avoid pimples and irritated skin.
3. Dry off and wait a few minutes to allow the skin to recuperate.
4. Apply generous amounts of female shaving cream specific to your skin type, or the mildest, non-perfumed male cream. Do not use soap! Let the shaving cream sit for a few minutes.
5. Use your safety razor to begin shaving.
6. Pull the skin tight with your free hand and shave without applying pressure. If you have to apply pressure, your razor is too dull.
7. Move slowly over the skin in the counter-direction of the hair. In the pubic area, this means shaving upward. For people prone to ingrown hairs or razor burn, shave in the direction of hair growth. As you shave, feel free to keep applying shaving cream.
8. When you’re done shaving, wash the area generously with lots of warm water.
9. Apply soft baby oil to keep skin smooth and free of pimples. (Some people find baby oil perfume irritating. Ideally, you want a moisturizing cream or lotion free from perfume, antiaging ingredients, sunscreens or other additives. Do not use male aftershave; it will sting terribly!) You might want a moisturizer that’s labeled for sensitive skin.
   Suggestions include:

• Keri Lotion.
• Aveeno moisturizing products with oatmeal.
• Eucerin creams and lotions.
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.

Other Considerations

Don’t plan to shave when you first wake up. During sleep, body fluids accumulate and make the skin puffier. Wait 20 to 30 minutes after you get up so skin is less puffy and the hair shaft is more exposed.

After shaving but before sex with a condom, wash your pubic area to remove any baby oil, which can deteriorate latex.

Last reviewed: August 2019