In terms of personal grooming, public hair frequently elicits interest and conversation. Why can people’s pubic hair differ so much from one another? Pubic hair can vary in texture from straight to curly and in color from dark to light or even red. The nature of pubic hair and its function in our bodies are intriguingly called into question by these variations.
The question of whether or not to remove pubic hair is another topic of frequent discussion. Some may be concerned with comfort or hygiene, while others may be more concerned with cultural norms or personal preference. The decision to keep or remove pubic hair is very personal and is influenced by a number of variables, such as personal comfort levels and cultural expectations.
This essay will examine the causes of the various hues and textures of pubic hair in addition to the benefits and drawbacks of shaving it off. You can make decisions that fit your preferences and lifestyle by being aware of these factors.
Topic | Details |
Curly vs. Straight Pubic Hair | Most pubic hair is curly due to the shape of the hair follicles, which tend to be more oval or flat. Straight pubic hair is less common and typically results from rounder follicles. |
Red Pubic Hair | Red pubic hair occurs when someone has the MC1R gene variant, which is the same gene that causes red hair on the head. |
To Remove or Not | Removing pubic hair is a personal choice. Some prefer to remove it for hygiene or aesthetic reasons, while others choose to keep it for comfort or tradition. |
- Causes of appearance and functions
- Structure and appearance of pubic hair
- Degree of hairiness
- Length
- Color
- Straight or curly
- Removal methods
- Shaving
- Depilatory cream
- Waxing
- Sugaring
- Using an epilator
- Electroepilation
- Alexandrite and diode epilation
- Laser hair removal
- Photoepilation
- Chemical hair removal
- Elos epilation
- Efficiency
- Safety
- Video on the topic
- Why red hair is not removed #laserhairremoval
- How to style curly hair correctly ?👩🏻🦰🍒🔥(art. on kamali products I will pin in the comments)
- The Nature of Red Hair
- Red hair: a happy mutation in history and culture
Causes of appearance and functions
The terminal hair vegetation that covers the pubic bone, the scrotum in men, and the vulva area in women is called pubic hair. They could also be found around the anus and on the inside thighs.
One of the indicators of puberty in individuals of both sexes is the development of pubic hair, which is linked to increased production of the sex hormones estrogen in women and testosterone in men. The growth of pubic hair is typically split into five stages, which are combined into the "Turner Scale":
1st stage | Absence of hair on the body or the presence of vellus hair, typical for children under 12-13 years of age. |
2nd stage | The appearance of thin, long, barely noticeable hair with weak pigmentation around the penis and scrotum in men or the labia majora in women. |
3rd stage | Pubic hair becomes coarser, curly and begins to expand to the sides. |
4th stage | Hair covers the entire area of the pubic bone. |
5th stage | Pubic hair forms a horizontal border at the top, and extends to the inner thigh. |
Although the exact timing of hair vegetation appearance varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as health, physical development, gender, and nationality, experts generally estimate that hair vegetation first appears in girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 12 years old.
The purposes of facial hair
- protect the genitals from penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, fungi, dirt and dust particles;
- reduce friction, protecting the skin from irritation and rubbing during sexual intercourse, wearing underwear, physical exercise;
- protect the genitals from hypothermia and help maintain optimal microflora of the genitals;
- absorb odors and participate in the production of female and male pheromones.
Genetics, hormones, and personal characteristics all influence the texture, color, and curliness of pubic hair. Each person’s pubic hair is different, regardless of whether it is curly, straight, or red. Whether or not to remove it is a personal decision that is influenced by personal preferences, cultural norms, and comfort. Having a clear understanding of and acceptance for the natural diversity of pubic hair can aid in making decisions that are in line with one’s comfort level and body image.
Structure and appearance of pubic hair
The color, structure, and gender of a person’s pubic hair vary according to their race and ethnicity.
Degree of hairiness
Because their hormone levels differ, people of different sexes have differing levels of hairiness in their intimate areas. The pubic spot, or intimate area hairline, is triangular in shape and sits above the vulva and pubis without extending past the bikini line in most women.
Girls between the ages of 12 and 14 start to develop pubic hair on the labia majora, which eventually spreads over the entire surface of the pubic bone over the course of the following six to twelve months. They become considerably fewer in number after menopause.
Men’s pubic spots are longer than women’s, gradually narrowing upward to the navel region. Boys begin to grow pubic hair at the age of ten, and by the time they are fifteen, it has grown completely. The male pattern of hair growth starts at the base of the penis and progresses to the scrotum, thighs, and lower abdomen over time.
Length
The length of the pubic spot is determined by the anagen stage, which is the first of three stages that experts distinguish between during the growth period of hair follicles. It typically lasts two weeks, though it can last longer depending on a person’s health, hormonal background, and genetic makeup.
A woman or man’s unique features also influence the length of their pubic hair, which typically ranges from 1.5 to 7.5 cm.
Color
The amount of melanin in the skin determines whether pubic hair is dark, light, or red, and it can vary greatly from the color of hair on the head and other parts of the body. The human body’s melanin levels decline with age, and this is reflected in the pubic spot’s shade, which initially becomes lighter before turning gray.
Straight or curly
Pubic hair varies in thickness, straightness, and curvature, with the follicle shape determining how wavy it is.
Thus:
- slit-shaped – characteristic of curly hair with a straight shaft;
- round – responsible for the appearance of straight hair with a rounded shaft;
- oval – inherent in wavy hair vegetation.
Removal methods
Daily genital cleaning and the removal of pubic hair vegetation (full or partial) by depilation or epilation are all part of intimate hygiene:
- In the first case, pubic hair located on the surface of the skin without damaging its roots is subject to removal using a razor, trimmer or depilatory cream. The procedure takes about 5-25 minutes, but has an unstable effect, since unwanted vegetation reappears on the skin after 1-3 days.
- Epilation involves removing pubic hair along with the root, is divided into several types and can be performed with wax, sugar paste or special cosmetic devices. A number of procedures: electrolysis, photoepilation, laser epilation, also implies the gradual destruction of the hair follicle, followed by a slowdown or complete cessation of pubic hair growth.
Different kinds of epilation
Classic bikini | The procedure is carried out with hot (warm or cold) wax, sugar paste, light waves or electric current and is used to remove pubic hair along the line of underwear. |
Deep bikini | The technique involves the complete removal of all hair located on the pubis, labia and near the anus. |
Medium bikini | Epilation procedure that allows you to leave a small amount of hair on the pubis while completely removing it in the vulva, anus and inner thighs. |
Shaving
Experts agree that shaving is the most popular and widely used technique for getting rid of pubic hair. A disposable razor or trimmer is used to perform the procedure, which involves removing hair that is 1.5–3 cm long.
Before shaving, longer hair should be carefully lifted up and away from the body and trimmed with scissors or a hair clipper with an attachment.
In order to prevent skin damage, you must strictly shave the hair in the direction that it grows. It is also advised that you lubricate the pubic area beforehand with foam, cream, or shaving gel.
The method, although straightforward, has several drawbacks, such as:
- short-lived effect of the procedure;
- risk of skin irritation and injury;
- formation of "ingrown hairs" on the treated area.
Depilatory cream
Depilatory cream is applied to the previously cleaned body in order to remove pubic hair quickly and painlessly.
Using a special spatula, carefully apply the cream to the hair-covered intimate area, let it sit for the duration of the recommended time, and then remove it. Using depilatory cream has a two to four day half-life.
Waxing
Hot, warm, or cold wax can be used to remove pubic hair, giving you flawlessly smooth skin in the bikini area for two to three weeks. During epilation, unwanted hairs are encased in a special cosmetic composition that traps and removes them along with the bulbs.
The primary benefit of this process is its safety, as it involves removing only unwanted hair without causing any skin damage. The procedure’s drawbacks include the severe pain that goes along with it and the possibility of "ingrown" hairs.
Sugaring
Warm sugar paste is used for sugar or caramel hair removal. A thin layer is applied to the treated area, allowing the hair to penetrate and enclose the mouth, and then the hair is removed without causing any harm to the skin.
Sugaring is a procedure that uses safe ingredients for human health. It involves repeatedly rolling a tiny, slightly heated ball of sugar paste on the skin’s surface and then carefully removing it, as well as the pubic hair (in the opposite direction of their growth).
The process can be completed at home or in a salon by making a paste of sugar that has been diluted with a small amount of water and lemon juice.
Negative aspects of the method:
- the duration and painfulness of the procedure;
- destruction of skin cells in the areas of hair removal.
The procedure has a roughly three-week duration of effect.
Using an epilator
With an epilator, you can remove pubic hair on your own. With its numerous attachments, this device captures and eliminates pubic hair at its root, leaving the intimate area’s skin smooth for up to three weeks.
When using the epilator on oneself, painful feelings, redness, and mild irritation of the recently treated skin appear. Cosmetologists advise applying cooling, pain-relieving cream to the bikini area five to seventy minutes prior to the procedure in order to minimize discomfort.
Electroepilation
Using specialized needles inserted into the hair follicle for instantaneous destruction by an electric current discharge, pubic hair electroepilation is performed. A specialist uses tweezers to extract dead hair.
The primary benefit of epilation is its ability to permanently remove unwanted hair from the intimate area, and it can be used on pubic hair of any shade and structure.
Negative aspects of electrolysis
- the need for several sessions with an interval of 1-2 weeks for complete hair removal;
- the appearance of painful sensations and the need to use painkillers;
- high cost of the procedure.
Alexandrite and diode epilation
Using a device with an attachment made of chromium-enriched alexandrite crystal, alexandrite epilation is applied to pubic hair to produce the appearance of smooth skin in the intimate area. The procedure is used to get rid of unwanted hair on people with fair skin, and the results usually last for six months.
Those with darker skin tones should consider diode epilation. It works on a similar principle to alexandrite, causing the treated pubic hair to gradually fall out over the course of 20 days on its own.
Negative aspects of hair removal
- painful sensations during the procedure;
- skin irritation after the procedure.
Laser hair removal
Experts believe that using a laser to heat and destroy the blood supply to the hair follicle is one of the safest and most effective ways to remove pubic hair. Unwanted hair stays in place for seven to ten days following the procedure before falling out naturally.
After three to four sessions spaced out by fourteen days, the intimate area can remain smooth for up to two years. The procedure takes about twenty to thirty minutes and does not cause any uncomfortable sensations.
Drawbacks to the process:
- high cost of hair removal;
- the presence of contraindications for its implementation.
Photoepilation
With photoepilation, pubic hair can be removed for up to two years. The process involves gradually destroying the hair follicle through exposure to strong UV light.
All pubic hair in the active growth phase is destroyed by the ensuing flash, and three to four procedures are performed at a 14-day interval to completely rid the skin of unwanted hair in the intimate area.
When exposed to UV radiation, pubic hair naturally sheds after 20 days.
Drawbacks to the process:
- restrictions on the shade of hair and skin;
- high cost of exposure.
Chemical hair removal
The idea behind chemical hair removal is to harm the hair follicles by applying a cream or spray that contains calcium, potassium, or sodium thioglycollate salt. After applying the depilatory composition, the pubic hair on the skin’s surface disappears without damaging the hair follicles within ten to fifteen minutes.
The smoothness of the skin in the intimate area is preserved for up to five days after the procedure, which can be done at home or in a salon. It is deemed undesirable for those with sensitive skin to remove hair chemically.
Elos epilation
Elos epilation is a cutting-edge method of hair removal from the pubic area that combines photoepilation and laser technology. It works by using electrical and light energy to harm hair follicles while they are still growing.
Small bruises appear on the skin after the procedure, but they go away on their own in a few days. This allows you to remove even short and light hairs and slow down their subsequent growth. In order to achieve total intimate area cleansing, the client needs to go through three to four sessions spaced fourteen days apart. Once this is done, the results are permanent.
Drawbacks to the process:
- not used on dark and dark skin due to the risk of disrupting pigmentation and causing an allergic reaction;
- is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and requires the application of an anesthetic;
- can cause severe skin burns if the attachments are not changed in a timely manner.
Efficiency
The method of epilation selected has a direct bearing on the outcome of pubic hair removal and the length of time the skin in the intimate area remains smooth.
Cosmetologists report that the majority of the time, the results of a particular type of epilation or depilation last:
- 2-4 days – when using a razor, trimmer or chemical depilation;
- up to 3 weeks – in the case of wax epilation, sugaring, independent use of an electric epilator;
- 1-2 years – when using laser, elos or photoepilation;
- lifelong – after completion of all electroepilation sessions.
S. Firsova, a cosmetologist and rehabilitation specialist at the Moscow beauty salon "Iteira," cites statistics indicating that cosmetologists believe sugaring—a technique in which sugar paste is applied against the direction of hair growth—and wax depilation—as the most popular ways to remove pubic hair in both sexes.
Other common practices include independent hair shaving, chemical depilation compounds, and laser hair removal.
Safety
According to a rehabilitologist and a cosmetologist at the Moscow beauty salon Ityira with Firsova, pubic hair is intended to shield, maintain appropriate heat transfer, and prevent the entry of bacteria into the genital area. The specialist advises men and women to consider their personal preferences when selecting a removal method, taking into account the delicate nature of the skin in an intimate area and their overall health.
The specialist suggests using mild depilation creams to help cleanse the skin in an intimate area for up to four days in order to achieve independent depilation. In order to prevent cuts from appearing, the doctor advises using caution and avoiding sharp movements when shaving pubic hair.
Rehabilitation physician S. Firsova counsels both sexes considering salon hair removal to carefully consider their pain threshold in addition to selecting a specialist because:
- waxing, sugaring and electrolysis are associated with the occurrence of severe pain;
- when choosing low-quality products for wax, chemical depilation or sugaring, the risk of developing allergic reactions increases, accompanied by redness and itching of the skin of the intimate area;
- violation of the technique of the procedure can provoke the appearance of burns and purulent pustules, indicating infection.
The specialist advises against performing sugaring or waxing on your own for safety reasons because broken pubic hair that is not removed during the procedure can curl and pierce deeply beneath the skin, giving the appearance of "ingrown" hair, which occasionally necessitates surgical intervention.
When depilating intimate areas with a razor, ingrown hairs may also develop.
The safest method for salon pubic hair removal, according to the specialist, is laser, eros-, and photoepilation, which enables you to remove single short light-colored hairs painlessly and safely.
Hair growth covering the genital, pubic, and anal regions is referred to as pubic hair. They are different in structure and color, serve protective purposes, and aid in maintaining appropriate heat exchange in both men and women during puberty.
Modern fashion supports changes to pubic hair’s natural appearance for hygienic and ethical reasons, as well as to improve the acuity of sexual sensations. These changes may necessitate their total removal or transformation into an intimate haircut using tools like electric current, hot or cold wax, and razors.
Recognizing the characteristics of pubic hair—whether it is red, straight, or curly—allows us to recognize the variety of our bodies. Genetics affects both texture and color, and each person’s hair is different. It’s perfectly acceptable to have concerns about it, and accepting this can help you have a more positive perception of your body.
The decision to have pubic hair removed is very personal. While some people like their hair to look natural, others feel more at ease with a cropped or hairless appearance. The most important thing is that you make the choice based on what gives you a sense of security and comfort.
When it comes to pubic hair, there is no right or wrong way. Accept what feels right for you and never forget that there is beauty in the diversity of the ways we choose to take care of our bodies.