SHAVING OF THE PUBIC HAIR FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IS NOTHING NEW. A FEW SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES HAVE SUGGESTED THAT SHAVING OF THE PUBIC HAIR HAS TO DO WITH CULTURAL TRENDS SPAWNED BY CERTAIN HAIRLESS ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OR EVEN A MISGUIDED ATTEMPT AT HYGIENE.
Pubic shaving actually originated in ancient Egypt and Greece, when prostitutes had to shave for both hygienic reasons and as a clear sign of their profession. Although female body shaving was established as the norm between 1915 and 1945, pubic hair removal did not actually gain a strong foothold until the 1980’s.
However, a new study shows that 60 % of women had, at least, one health complication incurred from pubic hair removal, typically epidermal abrasion (invisible cuts to the skin) and ingrown hairs. It was also shown to cause severe skin irritation, infections and – according to an older study – increase the spread and transmission of STIs.
These are the real reasons why you should not remove your pubic hair:
Pubic hair helps control your body temperature
We all know that hair helps regulate body temperature, but how exactly? Hair follicles help with sweating.
There is a sebaceous gland on each hair follicle which releases oils onto the hair, that in turn allows the oils go up to the skin’s surface. When this oil evaporates, it cools the skin because of its latent heat.
Pubic hair actually protects you
The pubic hair protects you from diseases and skin problems. Among other protections, it helps to prevent foreign particles like dust and pathogenic bacteria from entering your body.
Pubic hair contains pheromones
Scientists are of the belief that pubic hair retains sexual secretions that are otherwise referred to as pheromones. This is what attracts us to each other. The body gives off more pheromones as you sweat and those secretions are retained in the pubic hair regions.
Higher risk for genital warts
Genital warts are located near or at the genital areas. In a female, it is situated on or outside the genital area, vagina, cervix, or anus. In a male, that means near or on the penis, scrotum, or anus.
Warts appear as bumps or growths. They tend to be whitish or flesh colored. Many times a person with genital warts doesn’t know that he or she has it. If you remove your pubic hair, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of contracting genital warts.
You are more likely to catch molluscum contagiosum (viral infection)
Shaving or waxing your pubic hair increases your risk of contracting a viral infection. Research has shown that hairless genitals may provide an opportunity for sexually transmitted diseases like molluscum to take hold, with shaving showing the strongest association. Molluscum contagiosum is spread easily, and it has been suggested that the virus may have spread primarily through self-infections caused by scratching skin irritated by shaving.
It causes skin problems in your private area
Removal of pubic hair naturally irritates the hair follicles, leaving microscopic open wounds. Frequent hair removal is necessary to stay smooth, causing regular irritation of the shaved or waxed area. Many doctors say it is not unusual to find patients with boils and abscesses on their genitals from shaving as well as cellulitis, an infection of the scrotum. Being on the private parts, these skin issues are often more uncomfortable than they would be upon other parts of the body.
Hair removal is more dangerous for overweight women
The new American study found that complications were twice as likely for overweight or obese women, and three times more likely if they removed all their pubic hair because, for larger women, their skin will be closer together.
Even with these risks laid out, it’s entirely personal preference – you just need to be aware of the risks. Some cultures have been doing it for centuries. If you’re worried about an infection, go and see your doctor, otherwise, you don’t really need to discuss it with a GP.”
