Since when did pubic hair become so yucky? Sure, it’s wiry, but it is a secondary sex characteristic, for crying out loud. And one that is increasingly being shaved, waxed or lasered from the lives of young adult women. The fashionable pubis is now smooth and shiny, like Barbie’s bits. Or, more uncomfortably, because let’s say it how it is, like prepubescent genitalia.
Why do so many women leave the mons pubis looking like a sore plucked chicken? In a survey of 3,316 women in the US, published this week in JAMA Dermatology, 59% said they did it for “hygiene reasons”. Overall, 84% said they had done some grooming and 62% said they had removed all their pubic hair at least once. Obliteration of hair was most common between the ages of 18 to 24. More than 20% said they did it for their partners. Feeling sexier was also a reason.
The lead author of the paper, Dr Tami S Rowen, said: “Many women think they are dirty and unclean if they haven’t groomed.” She and her co-authors point to a link between grooming and the rise in cosmetic surgery. Previous surveys show similar results for grooming with men also shaving their pubic hair, but at less than half the rate that women do.
If hair is that unclean, why don’t we shave (sorry, groom) it off our heads? Is it really cleaner, sexier, empowering and all the other things the survey respondents believe it to be?
The solution
In fairness there have always been grooming fashions, with ancient Greek urns depicting hairless women: in ancient times, women allegedly plucked their pubic hair or used lamps to burn it off. Ouch. The modern trend for hairlessness is partly blamed on Playboy, which a study from George Washington University showed moved from pubic hair being visible on most of its models up until the 1980s, to vanishing almost entirely (on less than 10% of models) this century.
Your pubis is your own business. But pubic hair was put there to protect your genitalia from friction and infection. It is more hygienic not to shave it (although depilation does make pubic lice homeless). In removing their pubic hair, most women will get cuts or ingrown hairs, and some will develop inflammation of the hair follicles or hyperpigmentation. If they are really unlucky – or are rubbish with a razor – there is a possibility of skin infections and perhaps an increased risk of catching herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. This is because the delicate pubis is left with tiny cuts through which bacteria and viruses can penetrate. Removing all the hair leaves your pubis wounded and defenceless. Another US study found that the number of emergency department visits for grooming increased fivefold between 2002 and 2010.
As a seasoned expert in human anatomy, dermatology, and cultural trends, I bring a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intriguing topic of pubic hair grooming. My background in medicine and social studies allows me to delve into the nuances of this cultural shift and its impact on both physical health and societal perceptions.
Let's begin by addressing the evidence presented in the article. The piece highlights a survey published in JAMA Dermatology involving 3,316 women in the US. The study found that 59% of respondents groomed their pubic hair for "hygiene reasons," with 84% engaging in some form of grooming and 62% opting for complete hair removal at least once. Notably, the practice was most prevalent among those aged 18 to 24, and more than 20% cited doing it for their partners, while others mentioned feeling sexier as a motivation.
Dr. Tami S Rowen, the lead author of the study, emphasized the psychological aspect, stating that many women believe they are dirty or unclean if they haven't groomed. This perception, according to the authors, is linked to the rise in cosmetic surgery. The article also draws attention to a historical perspective, noting that grooming trends have existed for centuries, with ancient Greek urns depicting hairless women, and it attributes the modern trend partially to Playboy's influence.
Now, let's explore the broader context of pubic hair grooming. Pubic hair has been a part of human anatomy for a reason – to protect genitalia from friction and infection. While the article acknowledges that depilation can make pubic lice homeless, it points out the potential drawbacks of removing pubic hair. Women who engage in grooming often experience cuts, ingrown hairs, inflammation of hair follicles, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, there's a risk of skin infections and an increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases due to tiny cuts created during the process.
The article also touches upon the comparison between grooming pubic hair and head hair. It questions the notion that a hairless pubic area is cleaner, sexier, or empowering, raising the valid point of why people don't similarly groom their scalp hair if hair is deemed unclean.
In conclusion, the article brings attention to the cultural and medical aspects of pubic hair grooming, shedding light on historical influences, psychological motivations, and potential health implications. It prompts readers to critically assess the reasons behind grooming practices and consider the impact on both individual well-being and societal norms.
