Can i tweeze pubic hair

Getting rid of unwanted hair is more than just big business, however. Hirsutism excess hair can be emotionally upsetting and time consuming for many people. Too much hair in undesired places is more than just an annoyance. For some people, such as women with polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS , hirsutism can have a large emotional impact on self-esteem and body image. To combat this, many people turn to tweezing. Is plucking bad? Annie Gonzalez of Riverchase Dermatology.

Never tweeze nose hair. Hair is there to prevent infection and bacteria. No-tweeze zone number two? Yes, moles that have small hairs growing out of them are very common. But tweezing these hairs can cause inflammation and infection. No-tweeze zone number three is ingrown hair. Tweezing ingrown hair can lead to infection and scarring.

Other areas you to think twice before tweezing include around the nipples, vaginal area, and underarms. The skin is very sensitive in these areas and can easily become irritated or scarred. Tweezing sensitive skin can also be painful. Another potential no-tweeze zone is in a pimple. Pus pimples that form around a hair shaft can sometimes be a minor type of infection, known as folliculitis. In these instances, removing the hair may help clear up the infection.

However, it may also make infection worse by introducing bacteria to the area. In some instances, tweezing pimples may even lead to scarring. When you tweeze a hair, your goal is to pull the hair shaft out of the skin, at its root. It can also result in an ingrown hair. Be ready to make pubic hair removal a routine if you want to keep it up. Shaving is one of the easiest ways to get rid of hair since you just need a clean razor and some cream or gel.

Dedicate a razor to your pubic area to minimize the chances of this happening. Also called plucking, tweezing is a little more meticulous and painful than shaving, but also requires fewer materials and can be quicker and less messy if you just want to do a quick trim or shape. Just be gentle: Yanking hairs out too forcefully or suddenly might injure your skin or hair follicle , which can lead to irritation or infection. Trimming with scissors is a nice, quick way to shape those pubes up.

Depilatories are over-the-counter chemical hair removers that weaken a substance in hair called keratin , causing them to fall out and be easily wiped away. Using them is pretty straightforward — apply the cream to the area you want to remove hair from, wait a few minutes, and wipe the cream and hairs off. Depilatories are usually sold as creams. Use them with caution or talk to a doctor first.

Waxing can be painful but very effective at removing hair for a long period of time by ripping large areas of hair out by the roots. It can also reduce itching as hairs grow back. Waxing can also be unbearably painful or cause irritation and infections if you have sensitive skin.

Medical hair-removal treatments tend to last longer because they weaken or damage hair follicles themselves rather than just trimming or removing hairs. This ensures that the hair takes much longer to return. Dr Wain adds that one way to avoid ingrown hair would be not removing all your hair — so using scissors or clippers to achieve a close shave, but still leaving some hair outside the skin. If you do decide to shave, wax or tweeze, both dermatologists say there are strategies you can use to reduce your risk of getting ingrown hairs.

If you do get ingrown hair, Dr Gupta says the best strategy to treat it initially is with the following warm compress method, which will help release the hair trapped under your skin. Dr Wain adds if you're prone to ingrown hair, you should also think about your clothing choices. She says changing out of tight lycra or swimmers as soon as you're done exercising will reduce your risk of skin and ingrown hair issues.

Avoid synthetics, and avoid underwear and clothes that are tight, like G-strings. If your ingrown hair is persistent and uncomfortable, both dermatologists recommend over-the-counter steroid creams to help soothe the area. Dr Wain also recommends using chemical methods to encourage gentle exfoliation, however Dr Gupta says given the pubic region is so sensitive, you'll need to be really careful not to irritate the skin, and recommends trying any products on a less sensitive test patch first.

Exfoliation products will usually contain glycolic or salicylic acid, and are often sold at laser clinics and waxing salons — but Dr Wain says you'll also be able to find them at most chemists. She says sensitive skin types should stick to products that contain about 10 per cent glycolic acid, but if you're prone to ingrowns, or don't have a sensitive skin type, you can go for a higher percentage.

Laser hair removal involves destroying hair follicles with a laser and heat. This slows hair regrowth. A person will need to attend follow-up sessions every 6—8 weeks to prevent the hair from regrowing. The safest technique is trimming the hair with scissors, if they do not come into contact with the skin. If a person uses a technique that involves any topical product, there is the risk of a skin reaction, such as:.

Some people may believe that removing pubic hair increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection STI.

However, research does not bear this out. For example, a study in female university students found no association between pubic hair grooming and STI risk.

However, if symptoms are particularly painful or severe, talk to a doctor as soon as possible because an infection may require prescription medication. Also, cosmetic products, including shaving cream and products to remove hair, can cause allergic reactions, and these can be severe. The medical name for a severe reaction is anaphylaxis , and symptoms of it include:. Anaphylaxis can be life threatening. Anyone who thinks that they may be experiencing it should call or otherwise seek immediate help.

Some people prefer to trim or remove their pubic hair at home, while some others use professional services. Over-the-counter creams and ointments can help treat minor issues, but if severe or persistent problems arise, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Itchy pubic hair can occur due to a sexually transmitted infection, irritation from shaving, or certain skin conditions.

Treatment depends on the…. Ingrown pubic hairs are a common problem but may be more likely to affect those who shave or wax. In this article, learn how to treat and prevent them.