Shaving pubic hair is a personal choice, as there is no medical or hygienic reason to remove vaginal hair. You can choose to keep some or all of your pubic hair or groom for comfort, style, or sexual preference.
What matters is doing whatever feels okay to you and doing it safely.
Myths vs. Facts Of Vaginal Hair Shaving
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Myth: “Shaving is cleaner.”
Fact: Pubic hair is a natural barrier that helps protect the vulva area from friction and external irritants, so removing it can increase risks of irritation and minor skin infections, if not done carefully.
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Myth: “Everyone shaves all their pubic hair.”
Fact: Grooming is common, but styles vary widely, and complete removal isn’t inherently better than trimming or natural growth.
Pros & Cons of Different Vaginal Hair Removal
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Pros: Quick, cheap, low risk of injury or infection. Suitable for sensitive skin or if you have medical conditions that make wounds risky.
Cons: Hair remains visible and needs constant care.
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Shaving
Pros: Smooth skin and easy to DIY.
The cons: Cuts, razor burn, and ingrown hairs are likely to happen. Other potential side effects include irritation and post-inflammatory dark marks, which require frequent care.
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Pros: Long-lasting smoothness.
Cons: Pain, irritation, skin barrier damage, and potential infection if hygiene is poor.
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Pros: No blades, which may reduce ingrowns for some.
Cons: May burn or irritate delicate genital skin.
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Pros: Long-term reduction of hair and ingrown hair.
Cons: May require multiple sessions, which is costly and requires skilled professionals.
How to Shave Vaginal Hair Safely
Clue
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Shave after a warm shower, or apply a warm, damp cloth to the area for a few minutes before shaving.
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Trim long hair first with scissors or an electric trimmer to reduce tugging.
Tools
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Use a sharp, clean, single-blade or guarded razor and replace blades regularly.
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Apply a moisturizing shave gel/cream and never dry shave.
Technique
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Don’t pull skin taut, and rinse the blade after each shave passes.
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Limit shave passes to avoid irritation.
Aftercare
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Rinse the area with cool water, pat dry, then apply a soothing, fragrance-free moisturizer or a product designed to reduce bumps.
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Skip tight underwear or sweaty workouts for a few hours to reduce friction.
If bumps appear
Seek medical advice for severe cases of irritation or signs of infection.
When to Avoid Vaginal Hair Removal
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You have active rashes, cuts, boils, or STIs in your vagina area.
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You’re immunocompromised i.e., you have certain illnesses or treatments ongoing. In such cases, trimming is the lowest-risk option.
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You recently had procedures or medical treatments affecting the area.
Tips for Safe Pubic Hair Removal
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Keep your vagina hair tidy with trimming as it is the safest, quickest, least irritating method for hair removal
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If you do shave, shave with the grain, and moisturize immediately after.
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For waxing, choose reputable professionals who follow strict cleanliness protocols.
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Bottom Line
You don’t need to remove pubic hair for hygiene or medical reasons. However, if you prefer it to be groomed, make sure you go with a method that suits your skin, hair type, comfort, budget, and lifestyle, and follow safe-shaving or low-risk trimming practices to protect your skin.
If you’ve had challenges with razor bumps, dark spots, irritation, or found tricks that work for you, share your experience in the comments. What’s your go-to routine now and why?
Researched by Mercy Adeniyi
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