Public shaving is not new but has only recently been adopted in western countries. It began in the West when high-cut swimsuits became popular and some women wanted to avoid showing pubic hair. Some women, and men, prefer seeing the vulva hairless. Others just feel more comfortable with no pubic or perineal hair. Some think that it is more hygienic but this is probably a myth. Like most body parts pubic hair has functions and removing it may have adverse consequences.
Pictures courtesy Wiki-commons.
Pubic hair has many purposes including:
• hairs act as touch receptors and transfer that stimulation to the vulva
• pubic hair traps pheromones– the chemicals that your body secretes and act as a sexual stimulus. This may enhance your partner’s sexual arousal, especially during oral sex or cunnilingus.
• in the same way hair can absorb sweat making it less likely to collect in other areas causing irritation and odor
• pubic hair traps foreign particles and help stop them entering the vagina
• protects against chemicals making contact with the sensitive skin around the perineum
• provide warmth to the vulva
LABIA INFO
- Are women happy with the appearance of their labia?
- Labia anatomy and appearance
- Perineal pigment, dark skin around the anus and vulva
- Shaving the pubis, labia and perineum
- Female hygiene, smegma and clitoral hood adhesions
- Satisfaction rate after female genital cosmetic surgery
- Camel toe appearance of labia
- Pre and postoperative pictures of labiaplasty
- The Doctors’ Features Labia Reduction Surgery
Unfortunately removing hair can cause problems including irritation to the perineum and vulval area as well as nicks and cuts of the labia if the area is shaved and not waxed. If shaved there is a risk of ingrown hairs, razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) and folliculitis. In addition when the hair grows back it can be painful and itchy experience in an already sensitive area. Repeated shaving or hair removal may be a factor in recurrent yeast infections and irritation may cause pigmentation of the perineal area,
Shaving before delivery birth is no longer practiced because many doctors and midwives feel there might be a purpose for pubic hair to prevent infection. However some women choose to have a bikini or Brazilian wax done prior to birth. Unfortunately timing may not be easy and the swelling of the labial and perineal tissue late in pregnancy may make it particularly uncomfortable.
It is probably true that it is easier to keep the perineum clean in the postpartum period if there is less hair. Still an easier way is to trim the longer hair in preparation for labor. Trimming may be the preferred option because when the hair grows back it is not as painful or itchy.
Cleancut ES412 Personal Shaver
Cleancut
