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Plus, expert tips for preventing razor burns and bumps
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Some people, including both men and women, don't enjoy having hair on their genitals. This is completely normal, but if you've never shaved this area before, read down below to see the safest way to complete this task.
Shaving Your Pubic Hair: Quick Steps
- Trim your pubic hair short with scissors or clippers.
- Wash and exfoliate your pubic area to remove dead skin and soften the hairs.
- Lather up with unscented shaving cream or gel
- Stretch your skin taut and shave with short, light strokes with the grain.
- Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or soothing aftershave to prevent irritation.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Getting Razor-Ready
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Plan to trim your pubic hair first . According to cosmetologist Dedra Allen, it’s crucial to “trim the hair down prior to shaving” for the smoothest shave. Razors are designed to shave fairly short hair and will quickly clog and become dull if applied to long hair. To trim it, gently pull the hair up, away from your body, and then cut it back with small, sharp scissors, preferably clippers, equipped with safety guards. Alternatively, use an electric scissor-action trimmer without rotating heads . Aim for hair that is shorter than 1/4" (0.6 cm).
- If you are new to pubic shaving, you may want to leave your hair short for a couple of days, as this will allow you to get used to the feeling of being bare down there.
- Trimming your hairs with scissors or small clippers is OK, but some people become nervous when having such items near such a tender part of your body. If you aren't comfortable with using any of these, try electric razors . They are specifically designed to shave these kinds of hairs without getting too close to cut your skin.
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Wash and exfoliate your pubic area in a hot shower or bath. This will make the coarse pubic hair a lot easier to shave off. It may seem like a non-necessary step, but it'll make the process much more manageable.
- If you don't have time to take a hot shower or bath, simply run a washcloth under warm water and place it on your area and let it sit for about five minutes.
- It's important to exfoliate both before and after shaving because it will help all of the hairs get properly aligned outwards while stripping away the dead skin, allowing for a closer shave and reducing the chances of the razor catching and scratching you.
- Allen agrees that exfoliating regularly is a great way to get a smooth shave every time.
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Lather up with shaving cream to avoid irritation. Use unscented shaving foam, cream, or gel to lather your pubic hair. [1] X Trustworthy Source American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives Go to source
- Always test the shaving cream on another part of your body before you start applying it to your pubic hair, as some people suffer from allergic reactions to certain products.
- Just because a product is marketed to females doesn't mean it's only usable by those of the fair sex. Shaving cream for women is generally gentler than men's. Moreover, men's shaving cream is often scented, which can lead to irritation and painful stinging.
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Section 2 of 3:
Getting the Best Shave
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Choose a razor with multiple blades designed for intimate areas.. Technically, it doesn't matter which brand or what style it is since all razors are designed to get the job done. However, a multi-blade razor will provide a closer, smoother shave. Razors made for intimate areas usually also feature smaller heads for maneuvering in sensitive areas. Make sure that you pick one that is gentle on your skin so that your area won't react as badly to it as it would with a harsh razor.
- When buying razors, get ones that are specific to parts of the body. For example, if you buy two razors, one could be used for shaving your pubic area, and one could be used for shaving your underarms.
- Make sure that when you use any razor, you dry it afterward. Leaving a razor wet causes the blades to dull, which will make shaving difficult.
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Stretch your skin tight and shave slowly and gently with the grain. If the skin is loose, you may end up cutting yourself. Razors perform best on skin that is somewhat flat, and doing so will help remove the hair more easily. Start shaving slowly and with the grain. All this means is that if your hair grows downward, shave downward. This will help prevent irritation. Shaving against the grain is not a good idea when first starting because doing so causes rashes and itchiness. [2] X Research source
- Do not over-shave . Shave an area only as much as you need to remove the hair. If you go over it too many times, it will become inflamed.
- In the early stages of shaving, you will probably find that shaving your pubic hair two days in a row causes red bumps and/or itching . Skip several days between shaves until your skin grows used to the change.
- For men: Hold your penis down to shave the hair around the base, then up against your pubic area to get the hair underneath. Hold the skin on your scrotum taut and use short, light strokes in small sections. [3] X Research source
- For women: Only shave areas where hair is visible and avoid going over sensitive mucosal areas (like the labia) with your razor. [4] X Research source
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Rinse off any remaining pubic hair, gently pat dry, and moisturize. Aloe Vera , baby oil , or fragrance-free moisturizers designed for sensitive areas can be used. Egg oil containing immunoglobulins can avoid rashes due to micro-abrasions. Avoid moisturizers that may contain fragrances and coloring agents. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- A lot of moisturizers are scented, but you can find plenty of unscented options here .
- No matter what you use, just make sure that it's unscented and it isn't full of possibly irritating perfumes.
- Tip: Go over the area with tweezers if your razor misses a few hairs. Simply pluck them out gently.
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Join the Discussion...
Hi, I’m trying to start being more intentional about shaving now that I’m dating again and I’d like some advice on getting a cleaner shave down in my personal area. I trim to the best of my ability, but it always feels kind of like there’s probably a better option than what I’m doing? It looks okay I think, but there are always bumps and the hair kind of grows back unevenly, which I think means I’m doing something wrong? Any tips on getting a cleaner or more uniform shave down there? I’m a woman, just FYI.
The best way to keep from getting irritation from shaving is to shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shaving hair against growth creates a blunt end on the hair, both making it appear thicker and distorting growth, which can irritate the follicle and cause razor burn and/or folliculitis (bumps). Regrowth will be faster, as you aren't shaving the hairs as short, but it quells irritation.
I would strongly recommend shaving while taking a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help to soften the hair and skin, which will make it so much easier for the razor blade to cut through the hair. The steam will also help to open the pores up, which will minimize the odds you get razor bumps or irritate your skin.
The other big thing is that you really want to shave with the grain of your hair. So, if you look at your hair, it grows in like a little bit of a road map, and I recommend you shave in that direction until the skin in that area gets more used to being shaved.
The other big thing is that you really want to shave with the grain of your hair. So, if you look at your hair, it grows in like a little bit of a road map, and I recommend you shave in that direction until the skin in that area gets more used to being shaved.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs it hygienic to shave your pubic hair?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerShaving your pubic hair doesn’t make you more hygienic, although it may be helpful if you have body lice. Other than that, it’s entirely a matter of preference. Shaving might make you a little more prone to ingrown hairs or skin infections.
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QuestionWhat are some ways to remove pubic hair without a razor?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou can try waxing, sugaring, or threading. There are also hair removal creams formulated for sensitive areas, like the skin around your genitals. For a more permanent solution, look into professional laser hair removal.
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QuestionHow often should you shave your pubic hair?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerThat depends on how fast your hair grows and what’s comfortable for you. If your hair grows quickly and you want to keep the area smooth, you may need to shave every 1-2 days. However, it’s a good idea to take longer breaks if you get ingrown hairs or razor burn.
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Tips
- How you choose to present yourself should be a personal choice - you shouldn't shave just because somebody else is pressuring you to do so.Thanks
- Remember that your genitals are very sensitive, whether you are male or female, and they may take some time to become accustomed to being shaved. After four or five sessions, this sensitivity should diminish. Until you become more experienced at shaving your pubic hair, you probably will not achieve a perfectly smooth shave.Thanks
- If you start to itch really bad, you should talk to your doctor because this can be a sign of infection.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Scissors/clippers
- Sharp razor
- Shaving cream (or other cream-based item)
- Body soap or similar exfoliate
- Aloe Vera, baby oil, lotion, or other skin soothing item
- Tweezers
- Towel
References
- ↑ https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/to-shave-or-not-to-shave-an-ob-gyns-guide-to-pubic-hair-care
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/hair-removal.html
- ↑ https://manofmany.com/style/hairstyles-grooming/how-to-shave-your-pubes
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-shave-your-pubic-area-safely
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/trimming-pubic-hair
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000897.htm
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10209948/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To shave your pubic hair, start by trimming your hair with an electric trimmer or a pair of scissors, since a razor will quickly get clogged if your hair is too long. Then, take a hot bath or shower to soften your hair, which will make it a lot easier to shave off. Once your hair feels soft, cover it in shaving foam to reduce irritation. When you’re shaving, try to shave in the same direction as your hair grows to reduce irritation. You should also stretch the part of your skin that you’re shaving, since you’re more likely to cut yourself if it’s loose. After you’ve finished shaving, exfoliate your skin with a sugar scrub to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and remove dead skin cells. For tips on how to powder your pubic area after shaving, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I shaved my buttcrack and it has lots of benefits. It feels better, easier to clean after using the bathroom, and sweats a lot less. I put some medicated powder in there and it feels like arctic angels kissing me. Gotta shave often, else it will itch!" ..." more
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"I shaved my buttcrack and it has lots of benefits. It feels better, easier to clean after using the bathroom, and sweats a lot less. I put some medicated powder in there and it feels like arctic angels kissing me. Gotta shave often, else it will itch!"
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"All I can say is wow, best article I ever read about something so private. Well written. Much thought was put into this one for sure. I am a newbie at the pubic hair removing, I'd never done it, so this article was perfect for me. Thank you!"
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"It's kinda helpful since I've been looking for ways to get rid of pubic hairs and I've been afraid of shaving. Now I know the steps, I can do it on my own with the help of this article."
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"I've read this article, followed the instructions, and the results were amazing! Compared to what I normally gets when I'm done, it's way better! Thanks a lot for this article. "
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"It helped me learn how to properly shave and some advices and warnings when shaving. It also help what I should and should not do. Thank you for the information."
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