Shaving Your Pubic Area: 25 Bush Tips for Women & Men to Shave Down There

Whether you trim or shave, knowing the right way to care for your private bits is essential. Here’s your basic guide to shaving and styling your pubic area.

It’s no secret—everyone’s got pubic hair. If you decide to shave your pubic area *totally your choice!* then you want to prepare yourself with the right tools and knowledge to do it right and avoid any pain.

You’d think you would be able to shave your pubic area just like you’re able to shave anywhere else on your body… But that logic is unfortunately wrong for many reasons.

The first is that your pubic region is extra sensitive compared to everywhere else. Plus, there are a lot of nooks and crannies!

Some people may have been lucky enough to have their mom, dad, or older sibling divulge to them all the dirty details. And the rest of us are left confused and intimated by what’s south of the belt buckle.

That’s where we come in to help. We’re looking at the pros and cons, patterns, and techniques on how to shave your pubic area for men and women.

[Read: Naked at home – why it’s good & 20 things best done in the nude!]

Why do people want to shave their pubic hair?

We should start this by saying everyone is different, therefore they have different preferences for their body hair.

Some people shave their pubic area, others only trim it, and some people simply let it grow. There isn’t a right or wrong way to go about it. [Read: Trim, shave, or natural – the real score on the bush]

However, there are a few common reasons why people shave their pubic hair. These reasons are:

1. It’s more comfortable for them

2. It makes them feel more hygienic

3. They want to follow social norms

4. Their partner’s preference

5. To make oral sex more appealing

The must-know tips for women shaving their pubic area

It’s not really rocket science, but it isn’t exactly common sense, either. It can be difficult to gauge how efficiently you’re shaving or even how to shave at all. So here are our top things women should know about how to shave their pubic area.

1. Steam the area in a hot shower first

In order to make it as painless and easy as possible, you’ll want to steam the area for at least 5 minutes before starting. This softens the hair and surrounding skin, making it easier to get a closer shave while also being less painful.

You can steam it by simply standing in the hot water of your shower while shampooing, washing your body, and doing whatever else it is that you do in the shower. The longer you steam it, the softer the hair will be.

2. Exfoliating helps a LOT

After you’re done steaming the area, exfoliate it lightly before you begin shaving. You can do this with a washcloth, loofa, or any exfoliating body wash that you might have on hand.

Exfoliating the area gets rid of dead skin that could prevent your razor from gliding smoothly across the skin’s surface.

It also brings the razor closer to the surface so it cuts off the hair as closely as it can, resulting in a longer-lasting shave. [Read: How to look good in bed when your man comes over]

3. Use a good razor

By good, we mean new and sharp. Using an old razor or a crappy razor is only going to give you more problems.

Firstly, a dull razor isn’t going to cut the hair very cleanly. This means that there will be a lot of tugging involved in the shave, which can cause irritation.

Old razors also tend to have little bits of rusted metal on them, which can actually make very small cuts on your skin. Ouch!

4. The area needs to be clean

Since razors are sharp and can sometimes result in cuts, you want to make sure that the entire area has been cleaned thoroughly. You don’t want any small cuts to get infected and lead to any bigger issues, do you?

For this, you’ll want to use a soap that’s specifically formulated for that area of your body to ensure that you’re not throwing off your body’s natural pH balance. An unbalanced pubic region is a breeding ground for bacteria. [Read: Vaginal odor – 35 secrets to make your vagina smell good and taste even better]

5. Shaving cream/gel is a must

Never use a razor directly on your skin. While it may look like it’s working fairly well, shaving without shaving cream will likely cause some severe razor burn.

Most gels and creams are also designed so that they help to raise the hairs from your skin so you can get an even closer shave. Some are even made specifically for sensitive skin, which can be a good choice for the pubic area.

6. Trim it beforehand

If this is your first time shaving this area, or if you haven’t done so in a really long time, you’re going to need to trim the hair first. If the hair is too long, it’s going to complicate things further.

For one, some longer hairs can get caught in the razor and get pulled *ouch!*.

And secondly, it may cause you to have to go over the same area multiple times, which can lead to razor burn and other skin irritation. So do yourself a favor and take some scissors to it before you shave. [Read: The types of vaginas that make up all the vaginas in the world]

7. Don’t press too hard or shave too fast

Pushing your razor down really hard won’t help you get a closer shave. In fact, it could actually just cause more irritation to your skin. Razors are meant to do their job with very light pressure.

You also don’t want to move the razor across your skin too quickly. If you go too fast, the razor won’t get a chance to shave off all the hairs in its path.

Going slower will ensure that more hair is taken off in a single swipe, so you won’t have to pass over the same spot again and again.

8. Pull your skin taut

In order to make the most of your shave, you’ll want to pull your skin taut. This ensures that you’re getting a close shave that will last much longer. [Read: Why you shouldn’t be ashamed of what you do for beauty]

9. Use a post-shower cream

Everyone is probably going to get some form of razor burn no matter how careful they are. Even though they’re pretty much inevitable, creams can help.

Luckily, there are plenty of creams out there that are made to reduce the effects of razor burns.

You should apply these after you get out of the shower and have dried off the area. Some minor stinging when you first apply these creams may occur, but this should subside within a few seconds.

10. You can’t shave every day

Do not even try. PLEASE. If you shave every day, you’re basically just going over bare skin with a razor. This will not feel very good and can lead to severe razor burns. [Read: How to feel sexy and desirable all the time]

Tips for men shaving their pubic area

Whoa there, cowboy. Before you jump in with a razor and run, there are a few things you should do to prep before you go in for the kill! Here are our tips and techniques on how to shave your pubic area for men.

1. Use a clean razor

Before heading down for a trim, make sure your razor is clean and that there are no hairs caught in between the blades.

Also… don’t use the same razor you shave your junk with to shave your face. You’ll thank us for that later. [Read: How to manscape – 43 manscaping tips most guys don’t know but girls like]

2. Choose a razor that has a pivoting head

Shaving in this region can be a pain to master, so opt for a razor with a pivoting head. This will allow for an easy, smooth shave that will contour to the lines of your body.

3. Use shaving cream

When it comes to putting a razor against your skin, shaving cream will lubricate your skin for a smoother, easier shave, and will desensitize your skin from any irritation.

Using shaving cream, shaving oil, or lathery soap will also help prevent painful razor burns. Just keep it away from the head of your penis, because… ouch, shaving cream up the urethra burns like a MOFO. [Read: Can you have sex with a UTI? 29 must-know tips, signs, and things to look out for]

4. Take off the length first

Whether you’re shaving bald or keeping a little design intact, you’ll want to use trimmers or scissors to take the length off of that big, bad bush before you go in with a razor.

This will prevent your razor from snagging on any hairs and pulling on you where it hurts most.

5. Sit in the tub

Many men try to shave standing up in the shower, or over the toilet, but the most relaxing way to trim away the fuzz is in a half-filled tub.

The warm water will act with a steaming effect on your hair follicles, and it allows you greater vision and control over what and where you’re shaving.

6. Take your time

If you want to avoid misshapen pube designs, cuts, or a sliced sack, we strongly recommend taking it slow when shaving your nether regions. [Read: What women want in bed but are too ashamed to ask for]

7. Shave in the same direction as your hair growth

Don’t get caught with a cut down south! Cuts happen, especially when shaving in tricky, slippery, thin-skinned areas of the body *ahem—your balls!* but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Avoid painful and nasty ingrown hairs by moving your razor blades in the same direction as hair growth. Sure, a little nick may happen here and there, but cuts and ingrown hairs can be avoided by shaving “with the grain” of your hair.

8. Keep rinsing your blade

Be sure to keep rinsing your razor blade after each stroke to prevent a buildup of hair or shaving cream between the blades.

9. Use a different method to shave the balls

Naturally, the balls are going to be a bit trickier than the pubic mound or the shaft of the penis. The slippery skin makes this one seem like a dangerous nemesis, but don’t worry. We’ve got tricks. [Read: Healthy testicles – tests to keep your balls in check]

Unlike the steamy effect warm water will have on hair removal to the pubic mound, some say you should do the opposite when shaving your balls!

If you’re looking to get your balls as tight as possible for an easy shave, try holding a cold cloth or ice cube over your sack before you bring a razor to it.

10. Always clean up afterward

Depending on how long you’ve waited in between shaves, you may have enough pubes left on the ground to build yourself a Chihuahua. Gross! Whether you’re shaving over the toilet or in the tub, always remember to clean up the mess of pubes left behind.

The must-know pubic hair styling ideas

There are several ways to go about shaving and styling your pubic hair. Lucky for you, we have a list of a few common styling choices for each gender.

For women

1. Brazilian – A full shave with no hair remaining [Read: Perfect pretty pussy – 22 ways to make your vagina more beautiful]

2. Postage stamp – Everything goes except a little square in the middle

3. Heart – Tricky to master but cute, everything goes but a heart in the middle

4. Landing strip – An inch-wide vertical path

5. Mohawk – Like the landing strip, but thicker

6. Bermuda triangle *aka martini glass* – A triangle facing up or down

7. Bikini – Removing only the hair that shows on the bikini line [Read: At home bikini waxing – 35 must-know DIY secrets & tips for first timers]

8. French – Your desired style on top and unshaved underneath *labia area*

For men

1. Brazilian – A full shave with no hair remaining

2. Briefs – The male equivalent to the bikini, shave everything that shows from underwear

3. Pilot – An inch-wide vertical path that points toward the penis

4. Lion’s mane – Remove all hair from the balls and the base of the penis [Read: A man’s guide to effortlessly looking great in bed]

5. Arrow – Trimming the pubic hair into an arrow pointing at the genitals

6. Minimalist – Shave everything above the penis and leave the rest natural

7. Trim – Full coverage but an overall trim of length

Other methods to remove pubic hair

Shaving isn’t for everyone. Some people just can’t shave. Their skin is super sensitive and they basically have razor burn constantly, even when they only shave once a week.

For others, it’s too much commitment to keep a clean shave with a razor. If this is you, don’t fret. There are other common methods to remove pubic hair.

1. Waxing

Waxing can be done with at-home kits or performed by a professional. A thin layer of wax is applied to the pubic area and is then removed in the opposite direction as the pubic hair growth.

When pulling away from the hair follicles, the wax removes multiple hairs at once. Unless you have remarkable pain tolerance, this method will cause pain as well as possible irritation afterward.

Although it is more painful than shaving, the results do last longer. [Read: Your first Brazilian wax – what it is & 29 MUST-KNOWs before, during, & after!]

2. Threading

Threading is a precise hair removal technique best for small areas of hair. It uses two threads twisted over each other that attach and pull the hair follicle from its root.

When used correctly, this method is gentler on the skin and uses more precision than other pubic hair removals.

3. Hair removal creams

Also known as chemical depilatories, hair removal cream is made of chemicals that target hair proteins and break down the follicles. The hair is removed and wiped away with the cream.

Unlike the other ways to remove pubic hair, creams are typically not painful. However, your body may suffer from a reaction if you are allergic to any of the chemicals in the cream.

You’ll want to test the product beforehand on a small area of hair elsewhere to be sure you don’t have any irritation or chemical reaction.

4. Electrolysis

Electrolysis uses small radio waves to remove hair follicles, a single hair at a time. Not only does it cause the hair to fall out, but it also stunts new hair growth.

However, this method does require multiple long sessions. [Read: Peeing after sex and other confusing myths about the vagina]

5. Laser hair removal

During laser hair removal, a laser and heat are used to remove hair follicles. Like electrolysis, it also stunts pubic hair growth and requires multiple sessions every few months.

6. Trimming

Trimming pubic hair is a pain-free way of keeping your southern region well-groomed. This is done with a pair of clean and sharp scissors that should be dedicated to *only* trim your pubic area.

Sitting down or using a hand-held mirror can help you get to the tough spots. And, of course, you will have to trim often to maintain your desired result.

Risks of pubic hair removal methods

Although it can feel great and boost your confidence to freshen up down there, there are several risks of pubic hair removal methods. Some risks include:

1. Skin irritation

2. Ingrown hairs

3. Razor burns and bumps

4. Inflamed hair follicles

5. Increased risk of infection

6. Genital burns

7. Allergic reaction to shaving gels or hair removal creams

Risk of dysplasia

8. Small breaks or cuts in the skin

Some studies have even indirectly correlated the increased risk of STIs to grooming the pubic area. If you or a partner experience a break in the skin while grooming, infections can spread through open wounds. [Read: STDs 101 – the most common types and their symptoms]

When you shave your pubic hair, it’s important to stay informed and follow our tips for safe hair removal. Not only will things look clean and tidy down there, but you’ll be protected from any painful side effects!

[Read: How to take good nudes – 36 tips for the sexiest naked selfies ever]

If you’re looking to get rid of that unwanted pubic hair, make sure you follow these tips to get every last hair and avoid any unwanted pain! Everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin.