Women continue to feel pressured into shaving off pubic hair despite its many benefits. This may lead to ingrown hairs, razor burns, or itchy skin. Some women choose to keep their hair in place for reasons including personal preference, empowerment, and body positivity movements. Others find waxing painful and opt for trimming instead.
History
Many cultures have had different views regarding women’s body hair throughout history. Ancient Egyptian art depicted hairless statues and women with only small patches of visible hair; any remaining hair was usually plucked off. Other societies employed shaved approaches, with Samoans scraping their thighs using sharp seashells to remove the excess hair. In contrast, in Middle Eastern cultures, a process called “sugaring” was used, wherein hot sugar was applied directly onto their bodies to shave them, creating an early version of waxing.
As Western society developed, pubic hair grooming remained predominantly the women’s choice until 1915, when Gillette began selling razors designed to assist women in shaving their pubes. From then onward, female body shaving became associated with cleanliness. One study has even demonstrated that an increase in pubic hair removal occurs when female participants perceive themselves to be similar to a prototypical woman with no pubic hair.
Symptoms
Hair around the genitals is designed to reduce friction during sexual activity or physical activities that might otherwise cause chafing and protect this sensitive area from direct contact with bacteria and pathogens. Some researchers even believe pubic hair traps pheromones intended to attract potential mates.
Pubic lice are tiny insects that feed off pubic hairs around the genital region and spread through physical contact, such as sexual encounters, or even through casual forms of body contact, such as handshakes and hugs. Pubic lice symptoms typically include itching, often worse at night. The itchy sensation may become so intense it leads to scabs and blemishes on the genital area, leading to further discomfort and possible infection. Some women also report experiencing a white or bluish tint in their hair due to insufficient melanin levels – this condition may indicate vitiligo.
Treatment
hair removal methods such as shaving, depilatory creams, waxing, and electrolysis are used for pubic hair removal. Unfortunately, however, injuries such as chafing, razor burns, and itching often accompany this practice.
Some believe that shaving their pubic hair enhances feelings of femininity and sexual attractiveness, while for others, it simply provides comfort or prevents itching. It should be remembered that pubic hair serves several biological purposes – it protects the skin by trapping discharge and debris, provides lubrication during sexual activity, disperses body odor, and helps dispel typical body odor.
Women undergoing menopause may notice their pubic hair thin due to decreased estrogen levels. Other possible causes include androgenetic alopecia caused by elevated dihydrotestosterone levels. In addition, thyroid disease and polycystic ovary syndrome can also result in the loss of pubic hair.
Prevention
Hair removal is personal and should only be undertaken for specific reasons. These might include protecting the genital area during exercise or sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of folliculitis or eliminate unwanted pubic hair.
Shaving can cause razor burn, mainly if done frequently or improperly. To minimize the risk of razor burn, it’s essential to exfoliate before shaving, use a fresh blade, moisturize, and exfoliate afterward. If razor burn occurs, use cold compress or aloe vera treatments as calm therapies for relief.
Hair removal is a widespread practice in Western culture. Many women attribute the influence of media – including hairless models on magazine covers, swimwear ads, and sexy pornography – as one of the key drivers behind their desire to groom their pubic hair. Further research using established decision-making models is necessary to gain more insight into why young women groom their pubic hair in this manner.
