Pubic hair removal is an act that has gone in and out of style since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, according to the Planned Parenthood website. Historically, women removed their pubic hair to demonstrate cleanliness. Today, women trim their hair for hygiene as well, but also for a multitude of other reasons. Removing pubic hair might bring with it a few mild unwanted side effects, but it's a generally safe process.
Reasons
A lot of women remove or trim hair in their public area because it's currently the socially acceptable thing to do or because their partners prefer a smooth or neatly trimmed look. Removing all or some of your vaginal hair might be what's considered sexually desirable now, but as Planned Parenthood Points out, trends change and there aren't hard and fast rules to which a woman must adhere. Some women choose to remove their public hair so it isn't visible when they're wearing a swimsuit. Some women remove hair because of religious or cultural traditions, points out the University of California, Santa Barbara's Sex Info Online website.
Trends and Styles
Sometimes, women approach public hair maintenance with no particular trend or style in mind. These women trim or shave according to what makes them comfortable and they may remove some or all of their pubic hair. Other women prefer a specific pubic hair style, usually obtained at salons. Three of the most popular styles are the bikini design, the Brazilian design and the landing strip, according to the Sex Info Online website. The bikini design involves stripping away most of the hair, leaving a triangle or other shaped patch at the mons pubis. Brazilian design is the removal of all hair. The landing strip style involves removing all the hair except a strip, traditionally the same width as the natural fold.
Methods
The easiest and least expensive hair removal method is shaving. It can be done at home with minimal equipment, but the hair grows back within a few days. Waxing gives more precise control over the remaining hair's shape and is the foundation of Brazilian and bikini wax treatments. Waxing can last up to four weeks, according to the Palto Alto Medical Foundation. Creams called depilatories dissolve hair away, sometimes below the skin, which causes it to grow back slower than after shaving. Less common means of hair removal include threading, in which pieces of hair are plucked out with twisted cotton threads and tweezing, which requires pulling hairs out individually. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are cosmetic procedures that offer permanent or semi-permanent results.
Costs
Cost of vaginal hair removal depends on the method you choose and if you perform the treatment yourself or have it done in a spa. You can obtain razors, home wax kits and depilatories inexpensively at drugstores. Spa treatments have a wide range of prices depending on the notoriety of the salon. Spa treatments can vary, but typically cost less than $100 dollars. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are major cosmetic procedures and also cost upwards of $500 to $1,000.
Side Effects
Hair removal is safe when done correctly, but it's not without side effects, points out the Palto Alto Medical Foundation. Any hair removal method can lead to ingrown hairs and irritated skin. Depilatory creams can cause chemical burns in those with sensitivities. Waxing can also cause wax burns. Occasionally, waxing pulls away sections of skin and causes irritation and pain. Shaving also adds nicks, cuts and razor burn to the equation. Permanent hair removal methods can cause scarring, irritation and burns.
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