Getting rid of hair around your genitals can be quite the challenge! It's one of the most sensitive spots on your body, so it's hard to imagine anyone rooting around down there with a razor, an epilator, or even a laser beam. Your testicles no doubt shrivel up at the thought of the pain that could be inflicted with a treatment gone wrong.
Before you cast aside all hope, here is what you need to know about getting rid of your genital hair:
Guide to Male Genital Hair Removal
Recommended Male Genital Hair Removal Products
Temporary Solutions
Shaving
How can I limit Genital Irritation from Shaving?
How to Shave the Genital Region
Hair Removal Creams
Are Depilatory Creams Safe for Genital Hair Removal?
How to use Depilatory Hair Removal for the Genital Region
Permanent Solutions
Laser Hair Removal
Is laser hair removal safe on the Genital Area?
Does Laser Hair Removal have any Affect on the Male Genital Organs?
Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for the Genital Area?
Pros and Cons of Genital Laser Hair Removal
Pros
Cons
Electrolysis Hair Removal
Is Electrolysis Safe for Genital Hair Removal?
How is Electrolysis Commonly Used for Genital Hair Removal?
Recommended Male Genital Hair Removal Products
Product |
Type |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
Nair for Men 8oz |
Pubic hair removal cream (Apply directly to genital region) |
|
Norelco Bodygroom |
Hair Trimmer (Great for trimming down the area before shaving or applying cream) |
|
Magic Shave Cream |
Cream (apply direct to groin area) - leaves you feeling very smooth. |
The two most popular forms of genital hair removal are by shaving and using creams. We go into both methods in more detail below:-
Temporary Solutions
Shaving
One of the best temporary solutions for men to get rid of their genital hair is shaving. If you shave, you have total control over the razor blade, so there's less risk of anything going wrong. The angle may be awkward, but you can always use a mirror or two to help you get it just right.
How can I limit Genital Irritation from Shaving?
If you suffer from shaving irritation, you may want to take some time to read our ultimate guide to irritation free shaving.
The pubic region contains very sensitive skin so it's really important that you treat this area with care. Some people, with more sensitive skin, may be prone to razor burns that show up as little as a few hours after shaving and can last for up to a few days.
The good news is that over time the irritation gets less as your body gets used to it. Most people report that their first time shaving the region was the worst.
Never the less, there are a number of steps you can take to limit the amount of irritation that you experience while shaving the genital area:-
- Use a Sharp Razor - The sharper the razor, the better. Using a blunt razor can lead to your hair being pulled out rather than cut, which while not only painful can also lead to longer term irritation.
- Use sensitive shaving cream - it's worth investing in a shaving cream that is designed to be very mild and help prevent shaving irritation. We have a list of them here.
- Shave in the direction of the hair - If this is your first time shaving the genital region, then it's definitely recommended to shave in the direction that the hair is growing. Over time, as irritation lessens, you can move to shaving across the hairs or even against the grain - but don't try this initially.
- Consider switching to a safety razor - conventional cartridge razors typically have a multiple blades (sometimes up to 5 or 6) which can cause unnecessary irritation. Recently there has been a big trend to switching back to traditional double edged safety razors because they cause less irritation and are a LOT cheaper.
- Don't scratch or rub the area - the first time you shave your pubic region, you will likely feel like you want to scratch the area in the day or two that follows, however don't do this. Scratching inflames the area and causes further irritation. If the irritation gets too much, you can use something like Benadryl itch stopping gel for relief.
- Use baby powder instead of moisturiser post shaving - Commonly people are told to use a moisturiser after shaving, however a lot of people find that this can actually exacerbate the irritation. Instead, your best bet is to use talcum powder (otherwise known as baby powder) to keep the treated area smooth and dry. We recommend Johnson Baby Powder.
- Consider witch hazel immediately after shaving - Witch hazel can really help reduce irritation - you can apply it liberally immediately after shaving the treated area to held reduce inflammation. We recommend Thayers Witch Hazel.
- Stick with it - Nearly everybody reports that the first time is the worst and over time the side affects of shaving the genital region get less and less. Give it a month or two before you decide whether this is the right method of hair removal for you.
Recommended Products to Limit Genital Shaving Irritation
Johnsons Baby Powder
Apply this product immediately after shaving to relieve irritation from shaving in the pubic area
$14.70
Buy Online
Thayers Witch Hazel
This particular witch hazel product is a best seller due to its ability to soothe treatment areas after irritation.
$9.29
Buy Online
How to Shave the Genital Region
Here's how to shave your "fun parts":
1
Use a beard trimmer or buzzer to trim the hairs around your nether regions. It's always easier to shave shorter hairs.
2
Get in the shower to rinse off. Hot water is always best, as it softens the skin and opens the follicles--giving you better access to the hairs.
3
Gently start shaving, moving with the grain of your hair. You do not want to press down with the razor, but let the blades do the work. Make sure the razor is sharp.
4
Once you've gotten rid of most of the hairs, go against the grain. It will help to get rid of any stragglers. Only do this with extremely light pressure and if you're not prone to irritation.
5
Be very careful when shaving the testicles. The loose skin is very easy to cut, so make sure to stretch it tight with your free hand as you run the razor over it.
The same method applies for the perineum, the crack, and around the anus. Just take your time, be gentle, and make sure to apply witch hazel and baby powder to the areas immediately after treatment to ease any irritation.
Pubic Hair Removal Creams
Are Hair Removal Creams Safe for Genital Hair Removal?
Depilatory creams contain strong chemicals that break down the hair and when misused can cause discomfort and chemical burns. While these products can usually be used on the genital area, we recommend you take the following precautions to limit the chance of any unwanted side effects:-
- Trim first - we recommend that you trim the area first so that you can use less of the chemical solution and get the same results. Using less substance will help limit the irritation.
- Choose your timing wisely - Don't use depilatory hair removal creams if you have open sores (razor cuts, for example) to limit the exposure to the cream.
How to use Depilatory Hair Removal for the Genital Region
With creams like Nair or Magic Shave, you can usually get rid of those hairs with minimal amounts of pain--provided you use them correctly. Make sure to follow the instructions precisely, or you could end up burning your tender bits.
Nair for Men 13oz
One of the most popular depilatory brands of hair removal specifically for men. This is a strong solution so don't leave on for too long.
$15.44
Buy Online
Magic Shave Cream
This is a depilatory cream that leaves the genital region feeling really smooth after use. Not as strong as the Nair so is less likely to irritate.
$5.00
Buy Online
Here's how to use cream for your nethers:
1
Find a cream that's suitable for male genital region. We recommend Nair.
2
Test it on a less sensitive body part. Apply a bit of the cream to your leg or thigh, and let it sit for the prescribed amount of time before washing it off.
If there's no pain, you're doing it right. If the skin is sensitive, you left it on for too long. You may even want to wait a day or two to see if your skin reacts badly to it.
3
Apply a smooth, even layer of cream. You don't want to apply too much to a certain area, as it's more likely to burn if you do.
4
Wait. Do not wait an extra minute or even a few more seconds, but keep your eye locked onto that clock. When it's time to wash off, you wash off and now!
5
Rinse the cream off with lukewarm water. Use a soft wash cloth to remove any traces of the cream, though be gentle.
6
Apply some Vitamin E lotion or moisturizing cream to your skin if you feel any irritation.
These hair removal creams are cheaper than quality razor blades, and you'll find that they get the job done well.
Permanent Solutions
Most peoplethe temporary removal methods
Laser Hair Removal
Is laser hair removal safe on the Genital Area?
Laser hair removal is safe on the genital area when the correct laser and settings are used. The genital area usually has a darker skin tone than the rest of your body which makes that area more prone to burns from the laser.
Most clinics that carry out laser hair removal on the genital region will use the Nd:YAG laser (as opposed to a laser like the Alexandrite laser) because this laser has a greater wavelength making it more suitable for use with darker skin tone.
Does Laser Hair Removal have any Affect on the Male Genital Organs?
Simply - no. The laser doesn't penetrate deep enough to affect any organs in any part of the body. There is certainly no chance that laser hair removal over the genital region can cause infertility.
Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for the Genital Area?
Laser hair removal is often one of the best choices for genital hair removal if the person who will be having treatment done has:-
- Dark and dense hair in the pubic region
- Light coloured skin
If you have dark coloured skin, then you're limited to professional laser hair removal with a laser such as the Nd:YAG. This type of laser isn't available in home laser hair removal kits, only at professional salons, and it has a higher wavelength making it more suitable for people with darker skin types.
Tip: If you're going to go ahead with laser hair removal in the genital area, then follow our step by step guide to ensure you find a good laser hair removal practitioner near you.
Pros and Cons of Genital Laser Hair Removal
Treatment will usually take a month or two before significant results can be achieved, even if you go for professional laser hair removal treatment rather than using one of the home laser kits that are on the market. Here are some of the important things to consider if you're thinking of going ahead with laser hair removal on the genital region:-
Pros
- Permanent hair reduction - there are lasers on the market that have been approved by the FDA for permanent hair reduction - this means that the density of hair will be reduced over a long period of time.
- FDA approved for safety - the lasers that are used in most clinics have been FDA approved as being safe
- Cost saving in the long term - although the initial cost outlay is quite high, cost savings can be made in the long term by negating the necessity to buy other hair removal equipment (razors, depilatory creams etc.)
- Less hassle over the long term - long term hair reduction can mean less time performing temporary hair removal methods.
Cons
- Not a quick term fix - Laser hair removal requires a number of sessions over a period of months for long term sustainable results.
- Not effective for everyone - Some people, even those who would seem to be perfect candidates, simply don't respond to the treatment. Despite numerous studies, we still don't know why this is the case.
- Expensive in the short term - laser hair removal sessions are expensive and a sequence of sessions are required for permanent hair reduction. This can add up to thousands of dollars over the period of a number of months.
If you're considering home laser hair removal, then you may consider the Silk'n SensEpil or the Tria 4X. To find a professional laser hair clinic in the local area, then read this guide.
Electrolysis Hair Removal
This is the only form of hair removal that has been deemed permanent hair removal by the FDA. The drawback is that it's quite a time consuming process because hairs needed to be treated individually, one by one.
Is Electrolysis Safe for Genital Hair Removal?
Yes, electrolysis has the most complete clinical study profile amongst all the hair removal methods given that it has been in use for over 100 years (in comparison to laser, which has been used for around 35 years).
How is Electrolysis Commonly Used for Genital Hair Removal?
There are two occasions when electrolysis is commonly used for genital hair removal:-
- Light hair colour or dark skin colour - when the subject wants a more permanent form of genital hair removal but has light hair colour and dark skin colour, it means that they are a less ideal candidate for laser hair removal and are left with electrolysis as their main option.
- After laser hair removal - commonly electrolysis can be used to "finish off" the genital area after laser hair removal has reduced the volume of hairs in the area as much as possible. This is a faster and more cost effective method than doing electrolysis hair removal from the start.
