What's “Normal” When It Comes To Pubic Hair?

Pubic Hair Normal
Dealing with pubic hair can be a tricky business. Firstly, it's awkward and embarrassing to ask friends or family for their opinion and advice - you can't exactly walk up to your pal and ask "waxing or shaving?" And secondly, you need to be very careful about how you handle that oh-so-sensitive of regions, as razor burns, ingrown hairs, and other forms of unpleasantness can result from poorly handled pubic hair. Thankfully, this handy guide will give you the complete lowdown on how to deal with that pesky pubic hair, whether you're a girl or a guy.

Wash hair with a gentle soap. It's not just the hair on your head that needs washing -- your pubic hair needs a little love and attention too. Every time you take a shower or bath, use a gentle, fragrance-free soap to wash the pubic hair. Be gentle -- pulling the hair down there can hurt!

Your regular shampoo or body wash is too harsh to use on the sensitive skin down south, so don't put it anywhere near your pubic region. Use an uncolored, non-fragrant bar of soap reserved specifically for that area. Don't rub it directly on the pubic hair - lather it up on your hands first.
Also be very careful to avoid getting soap on or inside genitals, as it can cause irritation and itchiness. This is especially important for women, as even the gentlest soap can upset the PH balance of the vagina, leading to inflammation or infection.

Keep hair trimmed short. Even if hair removal isn't your style, you'll probably want to keep your pubic hair looking neat. The best way to do this is to give yourself a haircut! The best instrument to use is a small nail scissors, preferably one with blunted ends. This will allow you the greatest maneuverability and least chance of cutting yourself. Just be sure to set it aside, somewhere private, for pubic hair use only.

Don't use large scissors, as these can be awkward (and therefore more dangerous) to use. You can use an ear or nose hair trimmers in a pinch, but make sure it has a guard you can place over the blades to protect yourself. Never use an electric razor with rotating heads, as these are painful to use in the pubic region.
To trim the pubic hair, pull the hair away from the body and slowly and carefully snip it away, as close to the skin as you feel comfortable with. If you prefer, run a comb through the hair first, then snip the hair protruding through the fingers of the comb. You will have to rely on feel for most of the trimming process, though you should visually check your progress with a hand-held mirror at regular intervals.
Make sure that you clean up any fallen hair after you're done trimming, as leaving pubic hairs lying around the bathroom (especially a shared one) is a major faux pas. If possible, do your trimming over the toilet bowl, that way you can easily flush away any fallen hairs when you're done. Many think trimming is the best way to do it, as a lot of people think full is gross, and shaved is like a child.

Shave the hair. Shaving is probably the most common option when it comes to pubic hair removal, as it is cheap, easy, relatively painless, and embarrassment free. You will need some gentle, unfragranced shaving cream or gel (both men and women should use a women's shaving cream, as it is the gentlest), preferably one designed specifically for removing pubic hair, and a new razor (dull blades will be less effective and can cause irritation).

First, trim the hair from the areas you intend to shave -- you can choose to just remove the hair around the bikini or brief line, or you can go the whole hog and remove it all. Razors work best and cause the least pulling and irritation on short hair, so aim to trim the hair to about 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) in length.
Soften the hair using hot water in the bath or shower for 3 to 5 minutes before you shave. Alternatively, you can apply a warm compress to the area to achieve the same effect. Apply your chosen shaving cream to the area, taking care to avoid the genitals. It may be wise to test the shaving cream on a small patch of skin 24 hours before shaving, as some creams may cause an allergic reaction.
Pull the skin around your pubic area taut using your free hand -- shaving works best on flat surfaces. Begin shaving, without applying any pressure to the razor (if you need to apply pressure, your razor is too dull). Shaving upwards (against the direction of hair growth) will give you the closest, smoothest shave, while shaving downwards (with the hair growth) will minimize irritation for people with sensitive skin and reduce the risk of developing ingrown hairs.
Once you've removed the desired amount of hair, wash the area thoroughly with warm water to remove any cream, pat the area dry with a clean towel, then apply a soothing lotion to reduce irritation.