To shave or not to shave....

Question:
Should I trim it up down there?

Answer:
The fine art of trimming or shaving pubic hair is gaining in popularity for women and men. Women are looking for the bald eagle and some men seem to think that if you trim the bushes, it makes the tree look bigger. While deciding whether or not to shave one’s nether region is seemingly simple (‘yes’ or ‘no’), the actual task is slightly more difficult – with potentially irritating and (in some cases) painful consequences.... think Lorena Bobbit. With shaving there is always the potential risk of cutting the skin. It is also possible that the area may become uncomfortable and itchy (from “razor burn” and/or ingrown hairs). Remember that this is a delicate area and it may take a while for your body to get accustomed to irritations associated with shaving.

For those who ultimately decide in favor of shaving, there are a couple of options available. If you desire a simple trim, then you can get it with just a pair scissors or an electric shaver. If however, you want the area completely bare (bald eagle), then shaving or waxing (Brazilian) will be your best option.

Follow these steps for the best method for removing pubic hair in an effective, safe and easy way.

Trim: Use either scissors or a trimmer to cut down your pubic hair as short as possible. The shorter the hair the easier the shave will be. Shaving long hair will dull and clog the razor.

Shower: Take a nice hot bath or shower. Soaking in the warm water will soften up both your skin and hair. You can also gently exfoliate the area with a loofah.

Lather: Apply shaving cream/lotion/gel generously to the area to be shaved.
(Note: There are special shaving creams/lotions/ gels for your pubic area, such as Sensa-Shave or Bikini Zone. Try not to use heavy scented or perfumed gels. This will irritate the skin.)

Shave: With one hand pull the skin tight; with the other hand slowly shave in the direction of the hair growth. Pubic hair is coarse and will dull the blade after one shave. Make sure to use a new blade every time. Make sure to clean the blade after each stroke. If you need to go back over an area remember to first lather the area again.

Post-Shave: Once you have all the areas shaved, rinse with cool water. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Apply an unscented moisturizer or aloe to the area to help sooth the freshly shaved skin and to avoid “razor bumps.” There are different types of creams or after shave for these particular areas such as coochy cream from Pure Romance, Passion Parties offers a unisex shave and after shave kit and even Gilette has a kit available.

Potential Problems: Keep an eye out for signs of infection post shaving. Prolonged localized redness, swelling, bumps or sores that appear infected are indications that you should follow up with a healthcare professional.