An Advanced Guide to Getting Rid of Pubic Hair
Every garden needs a little maintenance from time to time, including the garden between your legs. We’ve already covered shaving and trimming , but that’s not the only way to get rid of pubic hair. Here are a few more options.
Choose your shape
First, you will want to decide how much maintenance you need. Here are some common shape options:
- We remove the sides. This is the easiest option for those who just want to flirt with hair removal. Your beautician will remove a few inches from the sides. This works for both guys and girls. (For girls, this is often called bikini wax. You can also get French bikni wax, which includes removing hair from the labia, and Brazilian bikini wax, which includes hair between the cheeks.)
- Triangle. This is the most common option. Here, even more hair is pulled away from the sides and top, giving the hair a neat triangle shape. You can ask your beautician to clean the edges between your legs, remove all hair from your labia, or leave your labia alone.
- Landing strip. In this case, the pubic hair will be in the shape of a rectangle that can be half an inch to several inches wide. Lip hair can be side-swept or completely removed.
- Random shape. Beauticians can do crazy things these days. You can get your partner’s initials, a heart, or any other simple pattern you can think of.
- Everything is off. Yeah, everyone. Including hair around the buttocks. This is usually called the Brazilian.
If you’re not sure which form to choose, you can always turn to Google for help visualizing your options . If you don’t opt for one of the permanent hair removal options (laser or electrolysis), they will grow back, so why not have some fun?
Depilatory
Yeah, Nair is still here and picking up steam.
How it works: Depilatories are creams that you apply directly to your hair and then wipe off after a few minutes. The chemicals in the cream destroy the structure of your hair follicles, removing as much as you shave.
Why you should think about it: Depilatories are great because they are painless and last a little longer than shaving. It’s weird (but nice) to wipe your hair with the cream. You can use the depilator in the privacy of your own home without going to beauty school.
Cons: You literally get a controlled chemical burn when using depilatories. They are pretty poisonous and smell terrible. Depilators are too strong to be used on the delicate tissues of the labia or anywhere near the penis, so you should only use depilators if you want to remove hair from the very edges of your bikini line.
How to get the best results: If you don’t want the line to be straight, use a ruler to determine where to apply the cream. Try the depilator on the back of your leg first to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. If you are going to get a rash, I bet you would rather have a rash on your leg than on your crotch (“I swear this is just my Nair!”). Make sure you follow the instructions exactly. Don’t leave this stuff on for too long.
Soft wax
Betcha didn’t know there was more than one type of wax! Mild wax is what most people imagine when they think of wax for hair removal.
How it works: A soft wax is heated, then applied with a spatula directly onto the skin in the direction of hair growth. A muslin cloth or bandage is then applied over the wax and pulled in the opposite direction of hair growth to remove.
Usually soft wax is made in the salon, but there are some home products that consist of pre-assembled soft wax strips. Nad’s is a pretty popular brand. (Am I dating acommercial for this wonderful Nagy ?)
Why you should consider this: Results can last anywhere from two to six weeks. Since you are pulling the hair out from the root, it is much more effective than shaving or using a depilatory cream. In addition, hair becomes thinner and thinner with regular epilation.
Cons: I’m not going to lie to you: any waxing is painful. I mean, your hair is being pulled out from the most sensitive skin of your body; what do you expect? You may also be asked to take rather uncomfortable positions (“make a cannonball for me!”), And, perhaps, forced to take part in your own torture (“can you hold on to your labia here and pull hard?”). Plus, your beautician will probably want to wax your buttock for you too, which will just be awkward (but hey, this doesn’t sound like yours is the first and only hairy hole they’ll ever see).
How to get the best results: Exfoliate your genital area in the shower with a sugar scrub or a loofah mitt the day before your appointment. This will help get rid of dead skin cells that can trap pubic hair under the skin’s surface. Take Advil 30 minutes before taking to relieve pain. You can also try using one of these excellent anesthetic sprays to relieve pain (be sure to notify the wax dealer or bring the bottle to your appointment if you’re unsure to use). If you are a woman, do not make an appointment during your period, as you will be more sensitive than usual. Keep an eye on your beautician and make sure they don’t dip their spatula twice in the wax warmer. This is extremely unsanitary and can lead to a horrible infection (“I swear it was just my unsanitary beautician!”).
If you are waxing at home, apply baby powder to your skin to help the wax adhere to your hair. After waxing, use an aloe gel or a cooling spray to help keep your skin free from agitation.
After waxing, do not go to the bath, pool or sauna for at least 24 hours. You can also avoid exercising or sex if your skin is sensitive. Exfoliate regularly after 24 hours to prevent ingrown hairs.
Hard wax
Hard wax is very similar to soft wax, but no extra strips are required.
How it works: The wax is heated and then applied directly to the skin in the direction of hair growth. The wax is allowed to cool until it hardens (hence the name). One end of the wax is lifted up and used as a lever to tear off the entire strip in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Why you should consider it: Many waxing professionals believe that hard wax is the best option for the sensitive bikini area. Hard wax sticks to the hairs themselves, while soft wax tends to stick to the skin. Less skin contact means less irritation. Hard wax can also be used for shorter hair than soft wax.
Cons: Same as mild wax. “Can you part my cheeks with your hands?”
How to get the best results: Follow the same guidelines for a soft wax.
Shugaring
I know the name itself sounds so delicious and appealing. Unfortunately, your pubic hair is still being pulled out by the roots, so this is not a picnic.
How it works: “Sugar” is a sticky ball of mucus made of sugar, water, lemon juice, and possibly two binders. It is usually about the size of an apricot, is opaque, and has about the same texture as chewing gum. The sugar is applied to the hair against the direction of hair growth (and not in the direction of hair growth as in the case of waxing), then pulled in the same direction as hair growth.
Why you should take it into account: Fun fact: This hair removal method was invented in Ancient Egypt, so you can close your eyes and pretend that you are Cleopatra and not some goof lying half-naked, outstretched eagle, with an unfamiliar face. buried in your crotch. Sugaring is much less irritating to the skin than wax and causes fewer ingrown hairs. There is no risk of scalding with hot wax and no risk of infection from double dipping as the beautician uses one sugar ball for each client. Some people also find it less painful.
Disadvantages: Sugaring requires a lot of skill, so it can take longer than waxing, unless you are in the hands of a true professional. Plus, it is usually more expensive than waxing.
How to get the best results: Exfoliate beforehand, drink Advil, try a pain relieving spray, avoid menstruation, relax afterward, and resume exfoliation every other day.
Laser hair removal
If you are absolutely sure you want your pubic hair to be in the shape of a lightning bolt for the rest of your life, you might want to consider a laser machine.
How it works: Lasers target the pigment in hair follicles, damaging them with pulses of light. This is all very old-fashioned.
Why you should consider it: Laser hair removal only takes 4-6 sessions to achieve good results. It’s expensive up front, but can save you a lot of money in the long run (those monthly wax visits really add up!). The sessions themselves do not take much time and are less painful than waxing or sugaring. You can also purchase laser devices for use in the privacy of your own home, although they are generally not recommended for use outside the bikini line.
Disadvantages: It really only works best on those with light skin and dark hair, as the laser has to be able to locate the dark pigment in the hair. The laser can cause pigmentation problems in people with darker skin. Lasers are expensive, on average a couple hundred dollars per session. It is also billed as permanent hair reduction rather than permanent hair eradication .
How to get the best results: Make sure you’re looking for a well-reviewed licensed professional. You don’t want some dumbass to aim a fucking laser at your junk.
Electrolysis
Yeah, they still sit nicely on those zipper-shaped pubes. Here’s an even more permanent option.
How it works: An electrical current is transmitted to each hair follicle using a needle probe.
Why you should consider it: Electrolysis is the best permanent hair removal method. It works for a wider range of people than laser hair removal. Individual sessions are much cheaper than laser treatments, so you can spread the cost.
Disadvantages: Sessions take longer than laser treatment and much more sessions are required to obtain lasting results (up to 15-20). If not done properly, it can lead to skin scarring or pigment damage.
How to get the best results: Same as getting a qualified professional. Did you think the lasers next to your bats were scary? How about needle probes ?!
This may seem like more than you ever thought you knew about pubic hair removal, but it’s nice to have options. If you have any experience with the above, let us know how you feel in the comments below.