Shaving your pubic hair takes a little more planning and finesse than shaving your legs. That area is more sensitive, which means it is more prone to bumps, redness, and nicks. If you don’t want to spend money on laser hair removal (or if the at-home lasers aren’t doing the trick), we spoke with experts to find out the secret to a smooth bikini line with shaving.
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of how to shave your public area, let's set the record straight: there's no medical reason to remove your pubic hair. In fact, pubic hair serves a purpose, or purposes, rather. "Pubic hair forms a protective barrier for the underlying delicate skin. It is believed to fend off pathogens, like bacteria and viruses, and is a shield for the skin from friction during sex," explains dermatologist Nadia Kihiczak, M.D.
Still, if you decide that pubic hair isn't your thing, you've got options—whether you prefer a little trimming, a manicured landing strip, or want to go completely bare. If you do decide to shave your pubic area, Dr. Kihiczak, along with Flamingo founder Allie Melnick, share tips on how to get a super smooth finish.
Meet the expert
- Nadia Kihiczak, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.
- Allie Melnick is the founder and general manager of Flamingo. She is based in NYC.
Keep scrolling for our expert guide on how to properly shave down there.
Step One: Get in the Shower
Shaving your pubic area should never, ever, be done while skin is dry. "Shaving the pubic area should be the last step in your shower routine as the warm shower water preps the skin for shaving," says Dr. Kihiczak.
The warm water helps to soften your hair, which helps to ensure you get a close shave without irritation. Let your skin soak your skin for five to ten minutes before shaving.
Step Two: Gently Exfoliate
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Dr. Kihiczak suggests cleansing your skin with a loofah and a gentle, hydrating body wash like Dove or Cetaphil. "Use a gentle cotton washcloth or loofah when cleansing the area and move it in a circular motion," she instructs. "This can help gently prep and exfoliate the skin before shaving and even 'dislodge' any early ingrown hairs that may be forming."
Step Three: Perfect Your Angles
When it comes to shaving your nether region, angles are everything. Melnick recommends using the ledge of your tub to prop your foot up so you have better access to the area you're shaving.
Step Four: Figure Out Your Shape
Before picking up a razor, decide how much hair you will take off. "Grooming your pubic hair is as much about shaping as it is hair removal, so make a plan for how much you want to take off before you start," says Melnick. You can also groom your pubic hair using a bikini trimmer if there are areas you don't want to shave completely off.
Step Five: Have Shaving Cream on Hand
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You will need to use shaving cream or gel to help the razor glide smoothly. Look for one that is formulated with soothing aloe vera and emollients to keep skin smooth, like the Flamingo Foaming Shave Gel. This will ensure you don't get bikini line bumps.
Step Six: Use a Fresh Razor
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Aside from not using a shave gel, Melnick says one of the biggest mistakes people make when shaving their pubic hair is using the wrong razor. The Flamingo 5-Blade Razor and the Gilette Venus Razor are both great options. "A fresh, sharp razor blade and a thick shave gel will make for a much more comfortable shave and protect against nicks, cuts, and irritation," she explains.
Dr. Kihiczak also stresses the importance of regularly changing your razor blade to prevent irritation or worse, bacteria from causing an infection. Since old blades carry bacteria and increase the risk of infection or folliculitis, a condition where the inflamed hair follicles look like red bumps or whiteheads, don't wait for your razor blade to dull before switching it out, says Dr. Kihczak. "The frequency of changing of the razor blade is determined by the frequency of shaving and the coarseness of the hair," she shares.
Step 7: Shave In the Direction of Hair Growth
Once you start to shave, always work in the direction of the hair growth. Going against the grain can result in redness, irritation, and ingrown hairs. And if you're brave enough to shave around your vulva, take it slow and find a comfortable angle first.
Step Eight: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
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After shaving your pubic area, gently pat the area dry. Keeping the area moisturized after you shave is key. Use a hydrating cream or lotion that also gently exfoliates to prevent ingrown hairs. Dr. Kihczak is a fan of Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion.
Step Nine: Prevent Ingrown Hairs
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Along with regularly moisturizing your pubic area post-shave, you can use a product that treats and prevents ingrown hairs. Fur's Ingrown Concentrate contains antibacterial tea tree and tamanu oils to eliminate excess oil and speed up cell renewal. Conditioning coconut oil and soothing chamomile extract round out the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you shave your pubic hair?
Whether you shave your pubic hair is a matter of personal preference. "Pubic hair is completely normal and, as long as routinely cleaned, it poses no health risks,” says dermatologist Dr. Kihiczak. “Some feel that more hair leads to more moisture, more odor and prefer to groom or completely remove the pubic hair."
How often should you change your razor when shaving your pubic area?
It depends on the type of razor and how often you use it. "Single-blade razors can be disposed of after each use,” explains Dr. Kihiczak. "Razors with multiple blades can be used a few times, though any tugging, rubbing, or nicking of the skin by the blade is a sign it should be changed immediately."
How often should you shave your pubic area?
How often you shave your pubic area depends on how close of a shave you're after. Dr. Kihczak says a close shave typically lasts one or two days and requires upkeep every two to three days.
