Pubic Hair: Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask

There are several theories about pubic hair’s purpose:

• It helps maintain the optimal temperature in the pubic region when the weather is too hot or too cold.
• It creates a favorable environment for normal vaginal microflora.
• It can indicate biological readiness for reproduction.
• It helps pheromones stick around longer, attracting sexual partners for possible conception.
• It protects the genital area from friction during exercise or sexual intercourse.

Regardless of these theories, the choice of what to do with your pubic hair (if anything!) is completely up to you.

Pubic hair color: does it always match?

Pubic hair color stands alone and doesn’t depend on the color of the hair on your head.

The color is determined by the amount of melanin (a pigment substance) in each hair, which can be different because the amount of melanin is different in different parts of your body.

In most cases, the color of your pubic hair is closest to the natural color of your eyebrows.

Throughout life, the melanin in your body decreases. This makes hair lighter and eventually grows gray, both on the head and in the pubic area.

Why does pubic hair grow to a certain length while head hair keeps growing?

Hair follicles go through three growth phases.

The first phase, known as the anagen phase, is responsible for hair length. The length of the anagen phase is based on genetics, but it can also be affected by hormones and stress levels. The anagen phase lasts between three and five years for head hair and a couple of weeks for pubic hair.

The longer the anagen phase, the longer the hair grows.

Hair around the anus: everyone has it!

Hair around the anus is absolutely normal.

The distribution of hair, including on the genitals, is often due to genetics.

Scientists still aren’t completely sure why anus hair grows. One popular theory is that the hair helps keep your smell around, which, in turn, attracts potential partners.

According to another theory, the hair softens friction and prevents irritation.

Shaving pubic hair: what is the right way?

Shaving is the most popular way to remove pubic hair. It's simple and fast. However, this method has some drawbacks: its effect is short lived and it can cause irritation, ingrown hairs, and rashes.

To make the shaving process more effective and minimize irritation, first exfoliate your skin with a scrub. Use creams with natural moisturizing elements (e.g., aloe). Don’t use anyone else’s razor, and shave the hair in the direction of its growth. Finish up by rubbing your skin with an ice cube to close pores. Then, in half an hour, moisturize with a lotion.

By the way, it’s a total myth that hair grows back longer or thicker after shaving. 

People have been removing the hair from their body for centuries.

Ancient Egyptians considered having pubic hair indecent, so they invented sugaring and waxing.

In ancient Rome, a hairless pubis was a status symbol.

Pumice, tweezers, and a special depilatory cream consisting of resin, goat bile, viper venom powder, and bat blood were used to achieve smoothness. Pubic hair trimming was not in fashion in Europe until the late 1900s.

In America, the first waxing salon opened in 1987. The technique gained popularity and is referred to as Brazilian waxing.If you’re unsure how to get rid of pubic hair, remember that it’s completely optional. It’s natural to have pubic hair. If you want to remove it, there are lots of methods you can try. Find the one that suits you best.