Shaving of the pubic hair - is it really safe

 

Most women (even men) prefer that the area down there is clean without any hair, so shaving pubic or vaginal hair has become a common practice today. However, there is a reason why you have pubic hair. So probably it isn’t a great idea to shave it off for purely aesthetic reasons. The most common body areas shaved are the underarms, legs, pubic area, eyebrows, and face for females; the face,

abdomen, back, chest, groin, and legs for males.

 While some people prefer wax, shaving is the most common method used for the underarms, legs, and pubic area.

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.

There are some downsides to shaving. First, there are obvious risks. Using a sharp razor on such a sensitive part of the body means it's easy to slip up and hurt yourself. Then there's the re-growth stage: Shaved hair grows back after a couple of days, and when it does it can be prickly or itchy. This can leave a girl feeling uncomfortable.

Here are 8 reasons why you should not shave your public area:

1.      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.

2.      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.

3.      Pubic hair contains pheromones

Struggling to get a date? Put down that razor, sister.

Apparently our pubes contain an interesting mix of pheromones that help make
us more attractive to others.

These pheromones develop more as our body sweats and are also thought to
increase sexual stimulation and arousal in potential sexual mates.

4.      You are more likely to catch molluscumcontagiosum (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. Molluscumcontagiosum 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

5.      Hair removal can give you abscesses

Hair removal can lead to infected abscesses on the skin – these are caused by
bacteria entering the body through the hair follicle.

These abscesses require treatment either by antibiotics or an operation, which
always carries a danger risk.

6.      Higher risk for genital warts

Genital warts are located near or on 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 shave your pubic hair, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of contracting genital warts.

7.      Friction burn

A hair-free lady garden leaves you open to experiencing a pretty painful dose
of friction next time you get frisky.

Pubic hair acts as a cushion and can prevent both chafing and skin irritation.

Couple any bedroom antics with an equally hair-free partner and you’re asking
for trouble – especially if either of you have any re-growth’ going on.

8.      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. Expert explains that it’s because for larger women, their skin will be closer together.

The hairs that are short are more likely to be in-grown;there’ll also be more moisture so they’re more likely to have bacteria.

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.

Source:

Lifestyle.ng