What’s Up with the Hair Down There?

Pubic hair. Everyone has it, but not everyone agrees what to do with it. Beach season is here, and lots of teens will be answering the big question: What do I do with the hair down there? There are so many options! Should you trim, shave, wax or leave it natural?

We recently asked Sexetc.org users what they thought about grooming or not grooming pubic hair. People were pretty evenly split between those that like to shave or wax everything off and those that just trim or keep everything natural.

Some of our users think that removing pubic hair is somehow cleaner or more hygienic than having a natural bush. But there’s a reason to have hair down there. Pubic hair catches dirt and germs and keeps them away from your genitals. So although it may look “cleaner” to remove pubic hair, not having it actually makes you more vulnerable to infection. Plus, waxing or shaving pubic hair can leave the skin irritated. And watch out when it grows back. It’s super itchy, and you can get ingrown hairs. Just keep that in mind if you decide to go bare.

One user said it’s OK for guys to have pubic hair, but not OK for girls. What’s up with the double standard? Where do you think teens get the message that girls shouldn’t have pubic hair? Porn maybe? It makes sense that porn would influence our ideas about what to do with pubic hair, since the top viewers of Internet porn are 12-to 17-year-olds, according to Family Safe Media. Porn is a fantasy. But teens who watch porn think that their sex lives and bodies should resemble these made-up, manicured and hairless fantasies.

Whether you keep or get rid of your bush, just make sure you know the facts. Check out our FAQ on shaving pubic hair.