Hairless vulvas have been shown in paintings for centuries (one theory is that the nudes were less realistic and more mythical without pubic hair, and therefore more acceptable to display in public). In fact, the act of hair removal dates all the way back to the ancient Indians and Egyptians. Since then, society has cycled through the trends of removing hair and keeping it according to various influences. Today we have a lot of influences, from peer pressure to exposure to porn, suggesting that we need to remove our hair to be considered attractive.
Team this with the fact that nude women are often presented as hairless on TV and film, and it’s no wonder seeing a person with a vagina and pubic hair can be seen as controversial.
In real life, some people have pubic hair and some remove it – it’s all down to personal choice.
My pubic hair is...
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...very long and straight, so I usually end up with a pubic Mohawk.
-R, 26
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...hairless - I’ve had it all lasered off. It’s hard to know now if this IS a personal preference, or if we have been conditioned to dislike this aspect of our bodies (which is extremely sad).
-K, 35
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...different all the time. Sometimes hairless, sometimes full hair. Sometimes half and half. I don't think it needs to be any one way and we can pick and choose.
-M, 30
A gallery of different vulvas
If you have a vagina, rest assured it’s not shocking or weird to have pubic hair. Its purpose is to keep your vagina safe from dirt and infection. Whether you want to trim it, style it, let it grow wild or wax it all off, it’s completely up to you. There’s no need to feel embarrassed either way – and you shouldn’t ever feel pressured to make a decision you’re not comfortable with.
Shaving
This is one of the most accessible ways to remove hair at home. It can cause skin irritation, ingrown hairs and itching from stubble.
Waxing/sugaring
This is when a sticky substance (often heated) is used to rip hairs out from the root – it can be quite a painful process. If you’ve never tried waxing before, it may be preferable to go to a good salon for treatment. Aftercare may also be needed to calm the skin and avoid ingrown hairs.
Hair removal cream
A cream that weakens and dissolves hair so it can be removed. Handle the cream with care (you don’t want to accidentally rub a bit onto your eyebrows), don’t leave it on for too long and always follow the instructions provided with the product.
If you don’t have a vagina but your partner or friends do, remember it’s their choice. People experience the consequences of hair removal differently, and you should never pressure someone into making a decision about their body that they’re not comfortable with.
Canesten Thrush External Cream 2% w/w cream contains clotrimazole. Always read the label.
