While it's a normal part of puberty and adulthood, many people work hard to get rid of pubic hair with methods like waxing, shaving, tweezing, or trimming. A 2017 survey found that 76% of people reported grooming their pubic area. However, more than a quarter of these people also said they experienced cuts, burns, or rashes.
Removing your pubic hair is a personal grooming choice, but not all methods are created equal. Some methods may increase your risk of injury and infection, and others may provide better long-term results. "The more thorough the technique, the higher the risk for injury," Katharine White, MD, MPH, FACOG, an OB-GYN at Boston University School of Medicine, told Health. "Clipping is going to be less risky than shaving, and shaving is less risky than waxing."
Learn more about different ways to remove your pubic hair, from tweezing to shaving.
Design By Health
Trimming Pubic Hair
Trimming unruly pubic hairs with scissors is your safest and easiest option. But, this method won't actually remove pubic hair. It just cuts long pubic hairs into shorter, more uniform hairs for a groomed look.
It's unlikely you'll injure yourself while trimming your pubic hair, but cutting your genitals is possible. Use a mirror and ensure you always see the tips of the scissors while trimming, said Dr. White. You're also less likely to injure yourself if you trim while standing.
Tweezing Pubic Hair
Tweezing your pubes can be time-consuming and painful, but it's generally a low-risk way to get rid of a few stray hairs around your underwear line. This method plucks hair out at the root and can slow hair growth by two to 12 weeks.
Tweezing can be dangerous for your skin if you miss your hair during plucking and accidentally pluck at your skin. You also risk infection, ingrown hairs, and skin discoloration from damaging the skin.
Shaving Pubic Hair
Shaving is an easy and pain-free way to remove pubic hair, but it’s temporary because the razor cuts hair from the surface of your skin, so it doesn't actually alter hair growth time. The hair will grow back after a few days.
It is possible to cut yourself while shaving, which can increase your risk of skin infections and irritation. Shaving also increases your risk of painful bumps caused by ingrown hairs or razor burn.
To help avoid irritation, use a shave gel or cream on wet skin and shave in the direction your hair grows. Additionally, don't shave your pubic area if you have an active infection like herpes, warts, or molluscum contagiosum, as doing so could spread the infection.
Dr. White also advised replacing your razor often since nicks on old blades can snag and cut the skin. Alternatively, consider using an electric trimmer with a guard, which will prevent the clipper's cutting edge from dragging against (or cutting) your skin.
Pubic Hair Removal Cream (AKA Depilatories)
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Pubic hair removal creams are on the safer end of the hair removal spectrum, but you always want to test it on a patch of your skin to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction, said Dr. White. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to hair removal creams and end up with an itchy, irritated skin rash.
It’s important to not leave the depilatory on for too long as it can cause a chemical burn. If this happens, you may experience redness, swelling, itching, and burning on the treated skin. If you notice these symptoms, contact a health provider for medical attention.
Note that depilatories can be less effective on dark, coarse hair—which is the kind of hair that is most common in the pubic area.
Waxing Pubic Hair
A bikini wax or Brazilian wax uses hot wax to pull pubic hair completely out from the root. It's the most effective temporary way to remove pubic hair because it removes the hair from the root rather than just cutting off the top part of the hair shaft. This means you'll be hair-free for two to six weeks, rather than just the day or two you get from shaving. However, waxing can be painful, and there may be safety concerns if you visit an inexperienced salon or a spa.
For example, it can be hard to know if the wax is actually clean—you should make sure any wax being used is just for you. Hot wax creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, but some inexperienced aestheticians may "double dip" the wooden sticks used to apply wax, which inserts more bacteria, hairs, and skin cells into the pot of wax from you and other clients.
Even the cleanest wax can cause skin damage and burns, especially if you do it yourself and accidentally overheat it. Waxing also opens the hair follicle, making it the most likely option to lead to ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs occur when the hair cannot pierce the skin's surface and curl under the skin, creating a bump.
Additionally, waxing increases your risk of folliculitis—inflammation (and sometimes, infection) of the hair follicles that causes swollen red bumps. If you have sensitive skin, waxing can also irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.
Laser Pubic Hair Removal
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This method works best on people with dark hair and light skin since the laser targets dark pigment. The actual procedure can also be uncomfortable and sometimes have similar pain levels to waxing, but a numbing gel can be used to help reduce pain.
Dr. White noted that laser hair removal is just as safe as a depilatory. The most common side effects are skin irritation and discomfort. Rare side effects can include blistering and changes in skin pigmentation.
Electrolysis for Pubic Hair Removal
Electrolysis permanently removes unwanted hairs. During electrolysis, a fine needle injects an electric current into each hair follicle. This damages the follicle and prevents future hair growth. Since hair grows in cycles, you'll be hair-free after several sessions. Electrolysis works on all hair types and may be a better alternative to laser hair removal for light-colored pubic hair. However, electrolysis is only reasonable for small areas since it targets hair by the individual follicle.
During and after treatment, you might temporarily experience some slight skin reddening. Some people also say the procedure is painful, or they feel stinging as each hair is zapped.
If you visit an inexperienced electrolysis operator, there is a risk of skin and blood infections from dirty probes, burns, or raised scars (aka keloids) if you have darker skin. But overall, the procedure is considered safe if you visit a skilled operator.
A Quick Review
Whether you like your pubic area bare or just want to tidy up, how you remove pubic hair is totally up to you. The best pubic hair method for you will depend on your pain tolerance, budget, and how long you want to be hair-free.
Temporary methods include shaving, hair removal cream, trimming, and waxing. Electrolysis and laser hair removal can remove pubic hair long-term, however, there is a higher cost and discomfort to consider. Ultimately, how you choose to groom your pubic hair is your decision based on personal preferences, aesthetics, cleanliness, and comfort.
