How to shave your pubic hair like a pro, in case you're curious (2024)

There are certain things many of us do regularly without barely a second thought, one of which being — at risk of sounding abrupt — our shaved pubes. Yep, loads of us do it yet we rarely, if ever, speak about it. But it’s 2023 so let’s talk about how to shave down there! With summer being in full swing, for some people removing the hair around your vulva is usually part of that process before stepping into our best bikinis, but are you doing it correctly?

Of course, no one is obligated to remove their pubic hair (or any other body hair) and you shouldn’t feel obligated to, though we understand that societal pressures still exist. Many people do choose to remove their hair though. Both are absolutely OK and it’s all down to personal preference. We are, however, going to help you handle this DIY hair care situation as safely as possible. So, if you’re interested in how to shave your pubic hair, we asked two experts to give us the low-down on how to do it safely.

Why do you even have pubic hair?

It’s a good question, honestly. For those who choose to remove this hair, it seems to be nothing but a nuisance.

Pubic hair is actually designed to protect sensitive areas of the body. “It acts as a barrier against friction, reduces the risk of skin abrasions, and helps to trap and distribute pheromones, which are chemical signals that can play a role in sexual attraction,” says WooWoo founder Laura Anderson.

In addition to this, pubic hair actually can serve as a bit of a cushion, “reducing friction during sex and providing a protective layer against bacteria. It also helps to regulate body temperature by trapping heat and sweat,” Laura adds.

Just because pubic hair is a natural part of human development doesn’t mean you’re obligated to keep it, just like various pubic hair removal trends don’t mean you’re obligated to groom it. Whether or not you decide to shave, wax, trim, or simply leave it be is entirely up to you. But since you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in doing… something to it. And, unlike getting a professional bikini wax or laser hair removal, shaving is something you can do from home.

Here’s how to shave your pubic hair

At the risk of stating the obvious, shaving involves dragging a sharp object across your skin. So if you aren’t intentional about how you do it, you can increase the risk of irritation, cuts, ingrown hairs, and infection. To that end, you absolutely should not grab any old razor and get to work. Instead, make sure you have everything necessary to follow the steps we’re about to go through, even if it seems over the top. As a baseline, you’re going to need body soap and water, a clean razor, shaving cream or gel, and a moisturiser to use when you’re finished.

Trim if needed

If you’re completely au naturel down there, you might want to use a trimmer first before getting a razor down there; these are the best bikini trimmers out there. This is so that you can reach your skin easily without making the blade blunt from all that excess hair. Many people wonder if they can use scissors and the answer is yes, but it requires extreme caution, so we’d always recommend buying a trimmer to be safe.

Use a fresh blade

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to pubic hair removal is using a blunt blade, this can cause irritation and won’t work at getting the job done. “Using a fresh, sharp razor is essential to prevent nicks, cuts, and skin irritation. Luckily in today’s market, there are several options of razors that are specifically designed for the bikini area and tailored to women’s comfort,” says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami-based medspa, Skincare by Amy Peterson. Many of these razors have soft, moisturising cushioned bars, which make them glide easier.

Apply some shaving cream

There are lots of fun shaving creams on the market now that prevent dragging whilst shaving. We recommend the Deo Doc Shaving Foam, which is fragrance-free to prevent unnecessary irritation and Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel.