Shaving Pubes: Experts Explain How To Do It Safely 2023

There are certain things many of us do regularly without barely a second thought, one of which being — at risk of sounding abrupt — our shaved pubes. Yep, loads of us do it yet we rarely, if ever, speak about it. But it’s 2023 so let’s talk about how to shave down there! With summer being in full swing, for some people removing the hair around your vulva is usually part of that process before stepping into our best bikinis, but are you doing it correctly?

Of course, no one is obligated to remove their pubic hair (or any other body hair) and you shouldn’t feel obligated to, though we understand that societal pressures still exist. Many people do choose to remove their hair though. Both are absolutely OK and it’s all down to personal preference. We are, however, going to help you handle this DIY hair care situation as safely as possible. So, if you’re interested in how to shave your pubic hair, we asked two experts to give us the low-down on how to do it safely.

Why do you even have pubic hair?

It’s a good question, honestly. For those who choose to remove this hair, it seems to be nothing but a nuisance.

Pubic hair is actually designed to protect sensitive areas of the body. “It acts as a barrier against friction, reduces the risk of skin abrasions, and helps to trap and distribute pheromones, which are chemical signals that can play a role in sexual attraction,” says WooWoo founder Laura Anderson.

In addition to this, pubic hair actually can serve as a bit of a cushion, “reducing friction during sex and providing a protective layer against bacteria. It also helps to regulate body temperature by trapping heat and sweat,” Laura adds.

Just because pubic hair is a natural part of human development doesn’t mean you’re obligated to keep it, just like various pubic hair removal trends don’t mean you’re obligated to groom it. Whether or not you decide to shave, wax, trim, or simply leave it be is entirely up to you. But since you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in doing… something to it. And, unlike getting a professional bikini wax or laser hair removal, shaving is something you can do from home.

Here’s how to shave your pubic hair

At the risk of stating the obvious, shaving involves dragging a sharp object across your skin. So if you aren’t intentional about how you do it, you can increase the risk of irritation, cuts, ingrown hairs, and infection. To that end, you absolutely should not grab any old razor and get to work. Instead, make sure you have everything necessary to follow the steps we’re about to go through, even if it seems over the top. As a baseline, you’re going to need body soap and water, a clean razor, shaving cream or gel, and a moisturiser to use when you’re finished.

If you’re completely au naturel down there, you might want to use a trimmer first before getting a razor down there; these are the best bikini trimmers out there. This is so that you can reach your skin easily without making the blade blunt from all that excess hair. Many people wonder if they can use scissors and the answer is yes, but it requires extreme caution, so we’d always recommend buying a trimmer to be safe.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to pubic hair removal is using a blunt blade, this can cause irritation and won’t work at getting the job done. “Using a fresh, sharp razor is essential to prevent nicks, cuts, and skin irritation. Luckily in today’s market, there are several options of razors that are specifically designed for the bikini area and tailored to women’s comfort,” says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami-based medspa, Skincare by Amy Peterson. Many of these razors have soft, moisturising cushioned bars, which make them glide easier.

There are lots of fun shaving creams on the market now that prevent dragging whilst shaving. We recommend the Deo Doc Shaving Foam, which is fragrance-free to prevent unnecessary irritation and Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel.

If you’re likely to be a little lazy and use your body wash as shaving cream, get something that doubles as both like the Sundae Coconut Cream Whipped Shower Foam and Venus for Pubic Hair 2-in-1 Cleanser + Shave Gel.

You'll need water so this is recommended to do in the shower or over the bath. “For proper shaving technique, it’s best to shave in the direction of hair growth to minimise irritation and ingrown hairs,” Amy explains. “Using short, light strokes helps to avoid excessive pressure on the skin.” Don’t rush it, make sure you’re shaving carefully and precisely because you are using a blade after all so cuts can happen if you’re not careful.

It’s important that once you’re done shaving, you properly moisturise the area. “I recommend applying an alcohol-free, soothing moisturiser or oil which helps to calm any redness or irritation,” says Amy, her pick is the Environ Vitamin A, C & E Body Oil. We also like the WooWoo Saddle Sore! Soothing Balm and DeoDoc Intimate Calming Oil.

How to prevent ingrown hairs after hair removal

One of the worst things about shaved pubes is the ingrown hairs and razor bumps that come afterwards. And although they might not be entirely preventable, there are things you can do to reduce them. One of the best ways to prevent ingrown hairs is to “exfoliate the skin regularly, which helps to remove dead cells and unclog hair follicles,” says Amy. Salicylic acid is one of the best as it “helps alleviate inflammation and reduce ingrown hairs,” she adds. “We also recommend avoiding wearing tight clothing as this may rub against the skin causing friction and irritation which can lead to in-grown hairs,” says Laura.

What are the risks associated with shaving?

As mentioned earlier, there are some risks associated with shaving; the main being irritation, ingrown hairs and risk of injury. “As the skin in this area is super sensitive, shaving can lead to redness and irritation, razor burn and in-grown hairs, which occur when hair grows back into the skin instead of outward,” Laura says. “Shaving can create tiny cuts or nicks on the skin, making it more susceptible to bacterial infections. In-grown hairs can also become infected, resulting in painful bumps or abscesses,” she adds. So always use fresh blades, never (ever ever ever) share them with anyone else and treat the skin well afterwards.

What are the alternatives to shaving the pubic area?

Of course, shaving is super convenient to do at home, but it’s not the only method of hair removal down there. “Unlike shaving, which leaves blunt squared off hair at the surface of the skin, hair removal creams dissolve hair from the follicles leaving a tapered end just below the surface of the skin. This tapered end not only feels softer to the touch but is also less likely to leave razor,” says Laura. However, not all hair removal creams are made equal (or for the intimate area!) Look for ingredients like calcium thioglycate, which is the ingredient that breaks down the structure of the hair and moisturising ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin E. We recommend WooWoo’s Tame It! Vegan In-Shower Hair Removal Cream and Nair’s Hair Removal Cream for sensitive skin.

Of course, there’s also getting a wax and we’d always suggest getting this done professionally. First, because hot wax on sensitive areas can spell disaster and second, those areas can be hard to reach yourself!

If you’re consistently shaving, it might be worth looking into a more permanent solution like laser hair removal. “It is a safe and effective option that can provide long-lasting reduction in hair growth,” says Amy.

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