Pubic shaving originated in ancient Egypt and Greece, when prostitutes were forced to shave their pubes both for hygienic reasons and as an obvious sign of their profession. Although shaving women’s bodies became the norm between 1915 and 1945, pubic waxing did not become widespread until the 1980s.
However, a new study shows that 60% of women have had at least one complication caused by pubic waxing, usually epidermal abrasions (invisible cuts in the skin) and ingrown hairs. Waxing has also been shown to cause severe skin irritation, infections and – according to an earlier study – increase the spread and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Here are the real reasons why you shouldn’t remove pubic hair:
Pubic hair helps control body temperature.
We all know that hair helps regulate body temperature, but how exactly? Hair follicles help with perspiration.
Each hair follicle has a sebaceous gland that secretes oils to the hair, which in turn allows the oils to rise to the surface of the skin. When the oil evaporates, it cools the skin due to its latent heat.
Pubic hair actually protects you.
Pubic hair protects you from disease and skin problems. Among other things, they help prevent foreign particles such as dust and pathogenic bacteria from entering your body.
Pubic hair contains pheromones.
Scientists believe that pubic hair contains secretions otherwise known as pheromones. They are what attract us to each other. Your body releases more pheromones when you sweat, and these secretions accumulate in your pubic hair.
Increased risk of genital warts.
Genital warts are located near or on your intimate areas. Warts look like bumps or growths. They are usually whitish or flesh-colored. In many cases, a person with genital warts does not know they have them. If you remove your pubic hair, you have an increased risk of getting genital warts.
You are more likely to get contagious molluscum (a viral infection).
Shaving or waxing your pubic hair increases your risk of getting a viral infection. Studies have shown that lack of genital hair can contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as molluscum, with the strongest association seen with shaving. Molluscum contagiosum spreads easily, and it has been suggested that the virus may have spread mainly through self-infection caused by scratching skin irritated by shaving.
This causes skin problems in the intimate area.
Removing pubic hair naturally irritates the hair follicles, leaving microscopic open wounds. Frequent hair removal is necessary to keep hair smooth, which causes regular irritation to the shaved or waxed area. Many doctors say that it is not uncommon to see patients with boils and abscesses on the genitals resulting from shaving, as well as cellulite and scrotal infections. Being on the intimate parts of the body, these skin problems are often more uncomfortable than on other parts of the body.
Hair removal is more dangerous for overweight women.
A new U.S. study found that overweight or obese women are twice as likely to have complications and three times as likely to have all their pubic hair removed because larger women have skin that is closer together.
Even with these risks in mind, it’s entirely a personal preference – you just have to be aware of the risks. Some cultures have been doing this for centuries. If you’re worried about an infection, go see your doctor, otherwise you don’t need to discuss it with your therapist.”
