How to Remove Hair Around the Vagina
Many women feel cleaner and more confident after they remove some or all of the hair from their genital region. You can rid yourself of pubic hair by waxing, shaving or using a depilatory cream. Other hair removal methods, such as laser treatment and electrolysis, require a procedure at a doctor's office, so speak with your doctor or dermatologist if you would like a professional hair removal service.
Read more about how to decrease pubic hair.
Shaving
Take a warm shower or bath. According to San Francisco State University, you should soak or stand in water for at three to five minutes to soften your hair before shaving 3.
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Apply a moisturizing shaving cream or gel to the areas you wish to shave. Use your razor to shave in the direction that the hair grows. Rinse your razor often to prevent it from clogging and cutting your skin.
Dry your genital region by gently patting it with a towel. Apply an astringent that contains witch hazel or salicylic acid to your shaven areas. According to Columbia University, the astringent will kill bacteria and prevent ingrown hairs.
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- Take a warm shower or bath.
- Apply an astringent that contains witch hazel or salicylic acid to your shaven areas.
Waxing
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Heat the container of wax according to the instructions on the package. It is likely that you will have to place the wax in the microwave for a certain length of time.
Use a spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to your pubic hair. Do not apply hot wax directly to your genitals. Press a cloth strip to your pubic area while the wax is still warm. Let the wax harden.
Pull the cloth strip away from your skin with a quick motion. Repeat these steps as necessary until you have removed as much hair as you desire.
- Heat the container of wax according to the instructions on the package.
- Use a spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to your pubic hair.
Depilatory Cream
Read the instructions on your bottle or package of depilatory cream. Some products require you to wet your hair before use; other products are only effective on dry hair. Dampen your pubic region if appropriate.
Apply a thin layer of depilatory cream to your pubic hair. Do not apply the cream to your genitals; it can cause burning and tissue damage. Leave the cream on your skin for the amount of time indicated on the bottle or package.
Wipe the cream off of your skin or rinse your skin with water according to the package instructions. Do not reapply the cream or you may be at risk for chemical burns.
Tips
Your pubic hair should be close to 1/4 inch long in order for waxing to be effective.
Warnings
Use extreme caution when performing any of these hair removal techniques. All can damage your genitals if done incorrectly. Follow all product instructions carefully. Ask your doctor about other hair removal options or make an appointment at a waxing salon if you are uncomfortable with these at-home procedures.
Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, which are a precursor to hair follicle infection. Wax your pubic hair or use a depilatory cream if you are prone to developing ingrown hairs.
- Read the instructions on your bottle or package of depilatory cream.
- Wipe the cream off of your skin or rinse your skin with water according to the package instructions.
Related Articles
References
- Health Services at Columbia: Shaving Pubic Hair
- SexInfoOnline: Can I Shave my Pubic Hair?
- San Francisco State University: Folliculitus
- Fitness and Massage Chicago: Waxing
- International Society for Sexual Medicine. What are the health risks of removing women's pubic hair?
- Carniciu AL, Chou J, Leskov I, Freitag SK. Clinical presentation and bacteriology of eyebrow infections: The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary experience (2008-2015). Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017;33(5):372-375. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000000797
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Removing Hair Safely. Updated June 30, 2010.
- Desruelles F, Cunningham SA, Dubois D. Pubic hair removal: a risk factor for 'minor' STI such as molluscum contagiosum? Sex Transm Infect. 2013 May;89(3):216. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2012-050982
- Herbenick D, Hensel D, Smith NK, et al. Pubic hair removal and sexual behavior: findings from a prospective daily diary study of sexually active women in the United States. J Sex Med. 2013 Mar;10(3):678-85. doi:10.1111/jsm.12031
- Center for Young Women's Health. Removing Pubic Hair. Updated April 29, 2019.
- Truesdale MD, Osterberg EC, Gaither TW, et al. Prevalence of Pubic Hair Grooming-Related Injuries and Identification of High-Risk Individuals in the United States [published correction appears in JAMA Dermatol. 2017 Nov 1;153(11):1201]. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(11):1114–1121. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.2815
- Tanner J, Norrie P, Melen K. Preoperative hair removal to reduce surgical site infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Nov 9;(11):CD004122. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004122.pub4
- Castronovo C, Lebas E, Nikkels-Tassoudji N, Nikkels AF. Viral infections of the pubis. Int J STD AIDS. 2012 Jan;23(1):48-50. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2011.010548.
Writer Bio
Claire Jameson began writing in 2007 and received her first breakthrough when she had a narrative published in "Oxygen for the Swimmer." Her articles have been featured on eHow, where she specializes in topics concerned with health and science. Jameson holds Bachelors of Science in mathematics and biology from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently pursuing a nutritionist certification.