Around 80 percent of American women report at least partially removing their pubic hair. As early as 15, women start trimming, shaving, waxing or pursuing treatments like laser hair removal. But in recent years, keeping it natural has become an ever-more popular option. Gen Z notably embraces body hair, and surveys in 2024 revealed that most women are trimming for minimal maintenance rather than going for the completely bare look.
Firstly, what you do with your “down there” hair should be a completely personal choice. But whatever your preference, you need these tips to keep your routine pain- and worry-free.
Featured Experts
- Marina Peredo, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
- Elaine Kung, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
- Holly W. Cummings, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
Garden Cultivation: Caring for Your Bush
It seems more and more women are opting to take the au natural approach. And the good news is, you don’t need to do a lot to keep your garden cultivated. A regular trim is also the safest way to keep your “down there” hair.
“Trimming is the safest option because it shortens your pubic hair without cutting close to the skin, which can lead to injury or infection,” notes Philadelphia OB/GYN Holly W. Cummings, MD. “You can use scissors or a trimming tool marketed for use on pubic hair, or even tools made for trimming beards.”
Ask any OB/GYN, you don’t want to introduce a bunch of products to your vulva, especially not anything harsh or heavily fragranced. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer from super-sharp pubes post-trim.
“Hair is hair,” notes New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD. “So, there’s nothing wrong with applying a conditioner or hair mask to pubic hair to soften those strands.” You have options, like Emma Watson-favorite FUR oil ($28), designed for pubic hair. But investing in a jojoba or vitamin E oil can also do the trick.
Bush-Whacking: Tips for Removing Hair
“If you do shave, it’s important to use a fresh razor every time to prevent irritation or infection,” Dr. Peredo notes. “Curlier hair types may also find that they’re more susceptible to ingrown hairs, where the growing hair is trapped under the skin. This can be very painful.”
Ultimately, if you suffer from ingrown hairs often, you probably will keep getting them. That’s when experts suggest laser hair removal.
“When more conservative measures don’t help or for more persistent ingrown hairs, laser hair removal can work wonders to eliminate them permanently,” New York dermatologist Elaine Kung, MD. “If ingrown hairs become severe or infected, seek professional help for treatment options including sterile extraction, corticosteroid injections, prescription medications or laser hair removal.”
“I would suggest laser hair removal in this case,” Dr. Peredo agrees. “Otherwise, if you’re very prone to ingrown hairs, it might be a good idea to only trim or to not shave all the way down to the skin.”
