Exactly How To Shave Your Pubic Hair Without Making Your Vulva Angry (2024)

Pubic hair styles—and how we deal with them—have changed radically over the years. From rocking a full bush to trying a bare Brazilian, we have pretty much tried it all. In fact, 84 percent of women style their pubic hair, according to one study in JAMA Dermatology—and most do it themselves at home.

When you're DIY-ing your hair removal, one of the easiest ways is to shave your pubic area. But of course, with shaving pubic hair comes the risk of cutting yourself, ingrown hairs, razor burn, and more—on one of the most sensitive parts of the body.

So, just how unsafe is shaving your pubes really? We posed this burning Q to a few gynecologists.

There are two main reasons shaving pubic hair can be risky.

First of all, "It's personal preference whether you want to shave or not," says Michelle Metz, MD. But keep in mind when shaving your pubic area, the hair is there for a reason. "Pubic hair is also made to prevent irritation from friction," Dr. Metz says. (Like, say, the friction during sex with your partner).

Your pubic hair is "protective," says Metz, and you don't *need* to remove it. But of course, if you prefer to trim, shave, wax, or otherwise remove your pubic hair, that's totally fine.

The issue with shaving all the time? "If you do remove hair too frequently, you can end up with something called folliculitis, which is an infection of the hair follicle," Dr. Metz says. Basically, the act of shaving poorly can damage the follicle and cause inflammation. Ouch!

Folliculitis looks like white bumps and can often be caused by bad shaving technique (more on how to avoid that later). But don't be alarmed if it happens to you—folliculitis can be treated with a topical or oral antibiotic.

Another downside to shaving: ingrown pubic hair. This is when hairs regrow but end up curling back into the skin instead of outward, which can lead to bumps and irritation. You can stave this off by applying an OTC hydrocortisone cream after you shave to prevent ingrown hairs from happening.

So, what's the best technique for shaving your pubic hair?

You can remove any and all hair on your pubic area if you want to, says Dr. Katharine White, MD, Women's Health advisor and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University.

Here's how: Start by taking a hot shower and waiting until the end to shave—that gives your skin and hair follicles time to warm up, opening your pores and softening the follicles, which makes them easier to shave and gives you a closer shave, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, WH advisor and founder of Her Viewpoint.

Cleanse the area first using a gentle sulfate-free wash, ideally one with hydrating oils like apricot kernel and coconut. After that, pile on the shaving cream or gel (whichever you prefer is fine) to protect your skin as you shave. Look for one that contains panthenol, an ingredient that acts as a humectant and locks in moisture so your skin and any remaining hair or stubble feels softer, says Dr. Shepherd.

Dr. White recommends using a new single-blade razor every time you shave or replacing your razor frequently, around every ten shaves, since a dull blade can lead to razor burn, red bumps and nicks. Shave with the grain of your hair, moving the razor in the same direction your hair grows. This can help reduce your chances of getting ingrown hairs, says Dr. White.

Afterward, consider applying aloe vera to soothe your skin. "Applying a soothing scent-free oil or moisturizer will condition skin and hair follicles and help prevent the dreaded stubble itch," says Dr. Shepherd.

White recommends taking shaving breaks to give the skin on your vulva a little recovery time every one in a while, too. Consider shaving only when your bikini line will be exposed, or before special dates. The skin will be smoother and shaving will be easier when it isn't an everyday endeavor.