BUSH OR NO BUSH? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Believe it or not, hair removal, how much and how you do it can positively or negatively affect your intimate and overall health.

Hair removal is very popular today and really took off in the 1990's when the Brazilian bikini wax came into Vogue. It continues to gain momentum with men having strongly joined the hair removal revolution. The statistics are quite impressive - 80%+ of college students remove all or some of their pubic hair.

I am pro trimming, tidying and grooming but also pro BUSH! I firmly believe our maker gave us our little curlies for a great reason - protection........just like nose hair, eyelashes etc. Dr. Jessica Krant, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York agrees with me stating pubic hair “keeps skin from running together and act as a cushion during sexual contact. They are also there to maintain a bit of air flow and keep folded skin areas from sticking together and causing rashes and infections known as intertrigo."

You should also know that waxing in particular traumatizes skin because it rips hair out of the follicle. Remember my piece regarding our skin acting as a protective wetsuit that when intact keeps infection and disease out? The small wounds created are microscopic openings through which things like Herpes, HPV (genital warts and possibly cervical cancer), HIV and other STD's can be transmitted. Razor blades can carry viruses and bacteria that can transfer from say the leg to your pubic area.

A dermatologist in Nice, France found a small percentage of clients had genital molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) outbreaks in their genital area which he credits with waxing and shaving. Unsightly ingrown hairs and folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicle) is a downside to waxing/shaving/trimming as well.

On the bright side, Brazilian waxing and keeping the “boys” manscaped has been credited with denying pubic lice or crabs of an environment to live in. Therefore that STD and embarrassing annoyance has almost disappeared in the USA and Australia.

Here is a little helpful Intimate Fitness™ hair removal advice (And please refer to my past article on bikini waxing) that applies to the above. Always use a fresh blade or clean your trimmer for your intimate areas. Be sure your skin is clean and use clean towels when bathing afterward. Exfoliate to avoid ingrown hairs. You decide what method and how much to remove based on your comfort level, not fashion or a partner’s preference. Somehow Americans became body hair haters and I can’t quite figure out why?!

WHAT IS YOUR BIKINI HAIR STYLE?

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Since the summer months are upon us, and it is time to put that body on display pool or beach side, it is also definitely time to tidy up that bikini line. Waxing is one of the most common and favored methods for bikini hair removal because it lasts and leads to softer hair regrowth.
I would love you to consider some pointers to help maintain your Intimate Fitness™ when removing hair from such a sensitive area.

When making your waxing appointment, be sure your spa/salon has sensitive skin wax specifically for use on the bikini area. Exfoliate, moisturize and hydrate at least 24 hours ahead of your appointment. Clean the area before waxing using a wipe like AfterGlow or a baby wipe - for your protection and as a favor to your aesthetician. Avoid alcohol consumption and consider taking your own unscented corn starch body powder with you to apply prior, if that is the waxer’s method. Your own bottle of AfterShave post hair removal treatment to apply post waxing to soothe, calm and moisturize is a great idea too. AfterShave has the added benefit of removing residual wax and diminishing ingrown hairs.

Waxing may be more painful a few days before and during your period, so perhaps plan around it. A big exhale when the wax is being pulled off helps the body relax to reduce pain sensations. Advise your aesthetician of skin treatments you are on like Retin-A or Accutane.

Waxing and other hair removal methods are very stressful to skin, so pamper it post hair removal. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and hydrate. Be sure to wear loose clothing and cotton panties or perhaps go commando under a fabulous maxi dress so waxed skin has a chance to be friction free. Be cautious of sun exposure for about a day following, and be sure to apply sun screen when you do hit the lounge chair. Any bikini hair removal should also be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of a sexual encounter………even delightful sex friction can cause serious irritation and leave you more vulnerable to STDs.

Waxing tends to cause more ingrown hairs than other removal methods so exfoliating with AfterShave, Tend skin, a loofa, or a gentle scrub can diminish dead cell build up which leads to ingrowns.
Deciding how much to remove is up to you of course, but for those of you who are very sensitive, have vulvodynia or recurring irritations/infections in that area, please forgo the Brazilian style and just groom outside the labia. Consider that nature put hair down there for what I believe is a protective, health related reason, so be mindful of that when deciding whether you are going to trim the hedges, or pull the entire plant out by the roots.