AHA! I knew it! I knew the War Against Pubic Hair would end badly. Turns out the totally bare trend is "increasing the risk of infection and of sexually transmitted diseases" among the fuzz-free masses who spend an estimated $2.1 billion battling the bush every year (that's in the U.S. alone!). And it doesn't really matter which method of hair removal you choose, either. According to Emily Gibson, M.D., whether you're waxing, shaving, plucking, using depilatory creams or whatever else, you're also inadvertently causing the hair follicles to become irritated and inflamed, "leaving microscopic open wounds." Which, because they are in a "warm, moist environment," quickly become prime breeding ground for "some of the nastiest bacterial pathogens."
Sexy, huh? And wait until you hear what some of those "bacterial pathogens" are. (Hint: Ain't no amount of vajazzling gonna distract from these yuckies!)
Apparently it's common for doctors to encounter hair removal-induced boils and abscesses on people's genitals, not to mention "cellulitis, an infection of the scrotum, labia, or penis from shaving or from having sex with someone infected." Plus, it's easier to spread/contract herpes when you got no hair down there.
GROSS! Gross, gross, and more gross. Are boils really preferable to pubes?!
I mean, look. I'm not gonna lie: I waste way more time, effort, and money than any sane person should attempting to conform to the current, um, style (for lack of a better word). But I spend an almost equal amount of time wondering why. Why am I doing this? Somewhere deep inside I know it can't be healthy, these regular assaults on my bikini line. Why do I cave in to the pube-hating pressure? As Dr. Gibson points out, “Pubic hair does have a purpose, providing a cushion against friction that can cause skin abrasion and injury, and protection from bacteria."
I'm totally down with the doc's idea to put an end to the hairless hysteria. But I don't know if I'm brave enough to pioneer the movement, truthfully.
So ... you first?
Do you think our obsession with hair removal is getting out of control?
Image via iamsuperkane/Flickr
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Comments 13
My friends think I'm weird for taking it all off. I think they're weird because they don't exercise with underwear. "...cushion against friction that can cause skin abrasion and injury, and protection from bacteria". What the heck is going on down there? My grandmother and my OB/GYN told me to let it breathe at night. Whatever happened to that?
Before I had kids, I was a stripper. So hair removal was a "must". But 9 yrs later, I'm still doing it. Why? Its a pain in the ass, I knick myself on a regular basis, and sometimes end up with painful razor bumps despite the proper care I take.
So if you're reading your comments today, I say this: I will stop shaving TODAY, if you do too. Let's take the "grow it out" challenge. I'll even update my blog on CM every 2 days so we can compare notes on how its going.
I know, that sounds stupid. But honestly, none of my friends could even FATHOM having a single hair down there. So why not compare with a complete stranger that has no shred of self dignity that will stop them from giving details? *I mean me. I have no shame*
I know I'm in the miniority here, but I'm pro-bush all the way :D
Yes, I think "hair phobia" has gotten totally out of control and place a lot of the blame on the porno industry who tends to promote hairlessness as the new norm. I know there are women out there who go hairless for their jobs (strippers, dancers, swimmers, lifeguards, gymnasts) but I'd have to say the majority of women who have opened up about this topic to me are doing it because its what their boyfriend, husband or SO expect. Its fine to want to be sexy for your love IF that is what you wan, but when it starts becoming an expectation and some women are shunned or degraded for not following the trend, then it has gone too far. It makes me sad that there are so many women ashamed of being womanly. I proudly wear my pubic hair, I keep it clean and I will lightly trim the long ones, but that is it. I've never had a problem interesting my husband (when I was married) and my boyfriend now, in some sexy time.