Pubic hair – epilate, shorten or leave it alone? The gynecologist advises

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If pubic hair were not needed, nature would have evolved to eliminate it. And they still grow for something. – They play an important role because they protect the area of ​​intimate places against pathogens: bacteria, viruses or fungi that cause infections – says Dr. Małgorzata Olesiak-Andryszczak, gynecologist.

1. Women are increasingly shifting away from total epilation and retaining some of their pubic hair, especially around the vestibule. There they only shorten them
2. The vulva and the vaginal area are very sensitive areas, prone to microtrauma. And the pubic hair is a kind of “safety pillows”, thanks to which the pain after mechanical injuries is not so severe
3. Frequent epilation can irritate delicate skin, which increases the risk of warts, wounds and blemishes
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Controversy around the epilation of intimate parts

When, in 2010, the cinema audience in the movie “Różyczka” saw actress Magdalena Boczarska, who appeared in an erotic scene with an unshaven pubis and hairy armpits, in the room there was a murmur of comments mixed with a loud giggle.

Based on facts, the story of the opposition historian and writer Paweł Jasienica, whose mistress in the times of the People’s Republic of Poland was an agent of the Security Service, takes place in the 60s, when Polish women had not yet depilated themselves.

In the sphere of fashion and customs, a lot has changed, so it is no wonder that in the XNUMXst century, Boczarska, unshaven in private places, in a picture directed by Jan Kidawa Błoński, caused a stir among viewers.

Because today the sight of women with hair on their legs, emerging from behind a bathing suit or armpits, usually raises criticism.

The ancients shaved pubic hair

However, the current fashion for shaved armpits and groin is not an invention of modern women. Ancient Egyptians, Greek, Roman and Persian women already got rid of hair, and although they did it mainly for practical reasons – they lived in a hot climate – it is worth knowing that in those distant times the hairy body was considered unsightly, so men also underwent depilation. Those who did not shave were automatically classified as having a low social status.

Hair was removed with the use of pumice stones, sugar-based scrubs, and they also knew the method of plucking the hair using beeswax.

Medieval and “unclean” private places

In the following centuries, this depilatory trend did not spread to cold European countries. Also because the women wore long sleeves, the armpits were not visible. Additionally, in the following centuries, especially in the Middle Ages, body care was considered a sinful activity, and intimate places were called “unclean”.

The turning point for shaving body hair came around 1915 when translucent sleeves and dresses in the Greco-Roman style came into fashion and Harper’s Bazaar published ads for depilatory preparations.

The designer Coco Chanel, whose dresses and skirts from the first half of the XNUMXth century, revolutionized fashion since the first half of the XNUMXth century, because they discovered more and more body, also contributed to this transformation.

Further part under the video:

When did women start epilating? Brigitte Bardot in a bikini

However, for good, women began to shave in private places after bikini swimwear became fashionable. They were designed in 1946 by French designer Louis Réard, and his two-piece suit with skimpy panties at the Paris fashion show shocked the audience.

And after seven years later, the young actress Brigitte Bardot showed up in a handcrafted floral bikini on a Cannes beach at a film festival, the bikini began to make a global sensation. It is easy to imagine that the excess of intimate hair did not go well with deep-cut panties.

What is pubic hair for?

Initially, women were forced to use men’s razors, razor blades, electric shavers and disposable razors. Over time, the production of hair removal creams has developed, and today more and more new devices for laser hair removal and photo-epilation are being created.

Getting rid of hair, also in the area of ​​intimate places, is a constant struggle and we have to repeat it periodically. By the way, you can ask yourself: if you didn’t need pubic hair, wouldn’t nature simply eliminate it through evolution?

So why does pubic hair grow, what is it for?

Because while we don’t get rid of eyebrows or eyelashes, because they keep dust and sweat flowing from the forehead, the case with pubic hair is much more complicated.

— Pubic hair plays an important role because its task is to protect the area of ​​intimate places against pathogens: bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause infections. And the vulva and vaginal area are very sensitive zones, also exposed to microtrauma. More or less depilated patients come to my office. But I know from experience that even though they initially removed the hair completely, they are now starting to go away and retain some of the hair, especially around the vestibule of the vagina. They simply shorten them there – says Dr. n. med. Małgorzata Olesiak-Andryszczak, specialist in gynecology, obstetrics and perinatology from the Sonokard Medical Center in Wrocław.

The doctor adds that she is not an advocate of going to extremes.

– Often, complete epilation causes irritation and chafing in the intimate area. It is optimal to replace the complete epilation by shortening the hair near the vaginal opening, she adds.

She also emphasizes that with an ordinary diagnostic examination, it makes no difference to her personally whether the patient’s pubic hair is preserved, depilated completely or only partially.

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Epilation of intimate places. In the past, those in labor were obligatorily shaved. It has changed

– It is different in the case of treatments – he emphasizes. – Then the hair around the entrance to the vagina may disturb doctors performing the operation. Just like in childbirth. In the past, those in labor were obligatorily shaved. This changed after the famous nationwide campaign entitled “To give birth to humanity”, in which women demanded, among other things, the right of giving birth to make independent decisions in this matter. Compulsory shaving has been abandoned, so women in labor may refuse to have their pubic hair removed. However, we urge them to agree to it. If only because sewing the hairy skin is much more difficult and there is a risk of inaccurate stitching of the postoperative wound. The consequence of this may be a worse healing process – explains Dr. Olesiak-Andryszczak.

It is very important to take care of the hygiene of intimate parts on a regular basis. Regardless of whether they are hairy or not, be sure to reach for proven cosmetics, eg Gentle intimate cleanser with extracts of blueberry and Anthyllis marigold.

Epilation of intimate places. Inflammation of the hair follicles, purulent lesions and other troubles

It is important to choose the right method when epilating the hair around the places.

– Each woman should individually choose the right way of getting rid of hair. It all depends on the sensitivity of the skin. Remember, however, that improperly performed hair removal with a razor often causes inflammation of the hair follicles, which leads to purulent lesions – says the doctor.

– For many ladies, shaving just doesn’t work. It is also troublesome because shaved hair grows back quickly. Other methods of depilation: waxes, sugar strips or creams last longer, but can irritate the skin. In turn, laser hair removal is the most durable, but expensive and painful – adds Dr. Olesiak-Andryszczak.

It is always worth remembering about proper care of intimate places. For this purpose, we recommend BIO intimate hygiene gel with Propolia BeeYes propolis, which prevents drying of the vagina, is gentle and natural. Familiarize yourself with the other offer of intimate hygiene gels that you can find on Medonet Market.

Do you shave your pubic hair? Be careful with intimate hairstyles!

Frequent epilation can irritate delicate skin, which increases the risk of warts, wounds and blemishes.

Dr. Olesiak-Andryszczak draws attention to one more aspect and warns against using unproven beauty salons that offer fancy intimate hairstyles.

– Wherever scissors and other sharp tools are used, cuts may occur. And the wound is an open gate for viruses, for example hepatitis C or B, we also risk contracting the human papillomavirus. This method of depriving ourselves of hair may give us an aesthetic value, but we risk our health – sensitizes Dr. Olesiak-Andryszczak.

Remember to take care of your intimate hygiene regularly. Reach for Bioherba Natural Intimate Hygiene Gel available on Medonet Market.

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