Shaving Pubic Hair Could Harm Your Health

Bikini waxing ranks among women�s least favorite grooming rituals. Which might explain why a new study has found that the majority of women who remove all or some of their south-of-the-border strands do so with a razor�and that could pose a health threat, study author and women's health expert Andrea DeMaria told Yahoo Health. �Women don�t understand the risks of [shaving their pubic hair], because they are safely removing hair on other parts of their bodies,� she said regarding the study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. It found that 87 percent of women admitted to removing at least some (if not all) of their pubic hair. And 90 percent used a razor for the job. But genital skin is extremely delicate�much more so than, say, the skin on your legs�and shaving can create micro-traumas� (tiny injuries that aren�t necessarily visible). That may explain why 60 percent of women said they�d experienced a negative side effect after pubic hair removal, the most common of which was abrasion, followed by ingrown hairs. Minor injuries, yes. But harmless, no: Your skin below the belt is concentrated with sweat glands, which means the area is moist, not to mention dark. In other words, it�s a prime breeding ground for bacterial growth, especially if you have little tears in the skin that allow the bacteria (as well as viruses) to enter, said DeMaria. �You�re vulnerable to more infection.� And that includes STI�s, such as herpes and HPV, said family physician Emily Gibson, M.D., author of an online editorial called, �The War on Pubic Hair Must End.� In a 2013 study inSexually Transmitted Infections, for example, researchers found that shaving your nether regions may raise your risk of catching molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection known to be sexually transmitted. Not only have you potentially damaged the delicate skin, but you�ve also removed your pubic hair, which is your natural barrier to infection, said DeMaria. So should you toss the razor in the trash for good? Dr. Gibson thinks so: �All hair removal techniques are disruptive to the hair follicles, and cause an inflammatory reaction and micro-abrasions to the skin.� But DeMaria takes a more conservative stance�she thinks women simply need to adopt a safety-first attitude when it comes to shaving. Her advice: �Trim with an electric razor first: Taking it all off with a regular razor can be tough. Just make sure you�ve sterilized the blades. �Always use a fresh razor: Moisten the area with warm water and gentle, unscented soap, and then shave with the grain of the hair growth. �Pat, don�t rub, yourself dry with a clean towel: �Now you have no hair there to protect against friction,� says DeMaria. �So you need to be more careful.� �Let some air circulate: Wear breathable cotton panties since you�re now missing your natural sweat-wicking system, and go commando while you sleep. Said DeMaria: �Underwear should be the first thing you take off when you get home, and the last thing that you put on before you leave the house.� - See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/lifestyle/life/30216-shaving-pubic-hair-could-harm-your-health.html#sthash.FEryU6tm.dpuf