The grooming habits of American women are well known today. Like most things’ appearance-related, they are media-driven. The removal (and trimming) of pubic hair in the US appears to be tied to the invention of the bikini in the ’60s.
Different countries prefer specific hair removal methods to others. These might include waxing, shaving, depilatory creams, laser hair removal, or threading. What are the personal grooming habits of women around the world? We’re here to tell you!
The UK: The UK is most like the USA in preferring waxing and laser hair removal. Shaving is another popular method simply because it is more accessible, convenient, and costs less.
Japan: Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched. It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance.
Australia: Australian women are known for being beach babes, and what those beach babes do not want is unwanted hair. Removing their leg, underarm, and facial hair as well as hair in their bikini region with laser hair removal or waxing is not uncommon. Australians are so into hair-free, smooth skin that those that do not remove their hair are considered outliers.
India: Predominantly it is the women of upper classes that now remove their unwanted leg, underarm, and pubic hair in India with their chosen removal method being primarily depilatory creams. However, laser hair removal is quickly becoming more popular as laser technology develops for use on darker skin tones. With laser hair technology, it is becoming more popular to remove hair from the chin, upper lip, underarms, cheeks, and bikini area.
Brazil: You likely assume that the term “Brazilian wax” comes from Brazil, but that is not true. It is American and is not very popular in Brazil. The most popular grooming style among Brazilian women is to leave a “landing strip” of hair.
Germany: It is common for women to shave their legs, underarms, and the bikini region in Germany. Much like in the US, it is extremely popular to be smooth and hair-free. Laser hair removal is the most popular hair removal method because it is most effective, efficient, and permanent.
China: Hair removal in China has not been a significant beauty ritual, up until recently. Chinese women didn’t bother to remove their leg or armpit hair, as hair was just part of your body and nothing to be ashamed about. Body hair is considered completely natural. Hair removal methods (for those mostly in big cities) use depilatory creams or shaving.
As you can see, women throughout most of the world remove at least some of their body hair. While the parts to be plucked may change according to trends, if time tells us anything, it is that women will continue to want to keep at least some portion of their bodies hairless.
FAQs
Japan: Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched. It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance.
How to permanently get rid of body hair naturally? ›
There are no home remedies that can permanently get rid of hair from the face and body. However, there are hair removal techniques that can give good results lasting around 4 weeks.
What is the best method of leg hair removal? ›
Shaving is generally the most painless way to remove leg hair. Unlike waxing, epilation and laser hair removal, shaving is pain-free (provided you don't accidentally nick or cut your legs).
How to remove hair permanently from private parts? ›
The following techniques are apt if you've been thinking a lot lately about how to remove hair permanently:
- Electrolysis.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Laser Hair Removal.
- Prescription creams.
Celebrities may have more time and money to devote to their appearance, but ultimately the hair removal treatments available are the same. Traditional techniques like threading, shaving, and waxing are still used; however, innovative techniques like electrolysis and laser hair removal promise more permanent results.
Is it healthier to have no pubic hair? ›
Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it. And yet, many people feel pressured to shave or wax because of our society's long-standing ideas of gender, beauty, and purity. (This is all very American.
What kills hair follicles naturally? ›
While these natural hair removal home remedies might not be a permanent solution, regular application on your face and body will ensure reduced hair growth.
- Raw Papaya Paste With Turmeric. ...
- Potato And Lentils Paste. ...
- Cornstarch And Egg. ...
- Sugar, Honey, And Lemon. ...
- Baking Soda And Turmeric. ...
- Oatmeal And Banana Scrub. ...
- Oil Massage.
The 2 main treatments are: electrolysis – where an electric current is used to stop your hair growing. laser hair removal.
Can turmeric remove hair permanently? ›
It might. Turmeric hair removal is thought to work in two ways: Natural chemicals in turmeric help to stop or slow hair growth. Using a turmeric mask or scrub helps to weaken the hair roots and to mechanically pull hair out of the skin.
What is a crystal hair remover? ›
What is a crystal hair remover? As a handheld tool, crystal hair removal devices are designed with a smooth top and a crystalline glass bottom. “When lightly rubbed in a circular motion on the skin, it clumps hair together and removes it from the follicle opening, similar to shaving.
Electrolysis. This method sends an electrical current through a hair follicle, which will damage the follicle and prevent hair from growing. Because hair grows in cycles, it takes several sessions to get permanent hair removal. You'll also find kits that allow you to perform electrolysis at home.
How to make your legs look less hairy without shaving? ›
Waxing, sugaring, and epilating are three methods to remove your leg hair by pulling it out from the root. When leg hairs are removed using these methods, new roots must be formed first before any new hair can grow. This means that you won't start to see stubble so soon after hair removal like you do with shaving.
What age does pubic hair stop growing? ›
longer than 4 years to reach the adult genital development stage. no pubic hair by age 15 years.
How to get rid of underarm hair permanently? ›
Electrolysis
Approved by the FDA, electrolysis is a safe way to remove all underarm hair as a permanent method of armpit hair removal because it destroys the hair at the root through the use of electrical energy.
How to stop body hair growth naturally? ›
Papaya and turmeric: Papaya helps in inhibiting the growth of hair follicles. Mix ripe papaya and a small amount of turmeric powder to form a paste, and gently massage it on your skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with water. Regular use of this mix can reduce hair growth.
What percentage of girls don't shave their pubic hair? ›
Here's what they found: 80% of women said they had removed their pubic hair recently at the time of the survey. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that number was only 39% for the guys. Just 3% of women said they had never removed their pubic fuzz.
Did Egyptians shave pubic hair? ›
Methods for hair removal included using pumice stone and seashells. However, the method of sugaring can be traced back to Ancient Egypt in which they would lay a sticky paste made from sugar, water, and lemon juice on the skin, lay a muslin cloth on top, and pull it away.
Why guys shouldn t shave pubic hair? ›
The skin at the pubic area is thinner and more easily irritated than the skin anywhere else on the body, and an infection can develop if the hair is trimmed too short or grows back into the skin at an awkward angle. Ingrown hairs are more common in the pubic region because the hair there is rougher and thicker.
