I get asked about hair removal all the time. Many times the inquiring party (whether the parent or the patient) has already decided how they feel about hair removal and is just seeking some form of medical validation.
For this reason, I’d like to start my saying that 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. There is no medical need for hair removal, and hair does not have to be removed for a person to be considered clean.
More specifically, pubic hair is normal. Its presence indicates pubertal changes and physical development which are natural processes. Additionally, the presence of pubic hair may protect the labia from friction/rubbing and help pull moisture and discharge away from the surface of the skin.
Even so, many women and girls will choose to remove pubic hair for comfort, personal aesthetic, or to prevent it from showing when wearing swimsuits, bodysuits, or certain costumes/uniforms.
A study done in 2012 (by J. Bercaw) to evaluate pubic hair removal practices found that pubic hair removal was dictated most commonly by pressures from family and friends. While sexually active girls were noted to remove pubic hair more routinely than non-sexually active girls, the removal of pubic hair did not necessarily indicate current, past, or intended sexual activity.
Options for hair removal include trimming, shaving, waxing, using hair removal creams, or undergoing laser hair removal. All of the above options (with the exception of trimming) can cause small breaks in the skin that can lead to irritation and inflammation. When hair follicles become irritated they can form bumps that are red, itchy, or painful (folliculitis). These bumps can get infected, cause discomfort, or lead to scarring.
Certain conditions, like Hidradenitis Suppurativa, can actually be improved with laser hair removal therapy, as it is felt to be a disorder of the hair follicles typically affecting the underarms and groin area.
Ultimately,it’s your body, your choice. No method has been found to be truly superior to the others as goals for hair removal, lifestyle and patient preferences all play key roles in decision-making
