null Is it normal for people to shave/wax their pubic hair?

Is it normal for people to shave/wax their pubic hair?

Pubic hair is completely natural and normal and serves a number of healthy body functions. It helps to protect the genitals, reduces friction during sex, can help with temperature control, and may help trap pheromones (which are scents our body secretes that can aid in sexual attraction).

Some people choose to remove some or all of their pubic hair (and/or hair that grows on other places of the body that is unwanted - under the arms, on the face, arms, legs, chest, stomach, back, hands, feet, etc). Hair can be removed using a number of methods such as: shaving, waxing, hair removal creams, plucking, trimming, threading and lasering.

There are some risks associated with removing pubic hair (and other body hair) - cuts, ingrown hairs, infections, rashes and burns. It is also important to know that razors should not be shared with other people as they can pass on blood-borne viruses such as hepatits C.

There are various reasons people choose to remove body hair such as: they think it looks more visually appealing; they think sexual partners will find it more appealing; for cultural reasons; and for sporting reasons (e.g. some cyclists choose to remove leg hair to help make treating potential wounds easier). Beauty trends, the media and social norms often 'tell' us the way that our body hair should look - the hair on our heads, facial hair, body hair and pubic hair. Some people also link pubic hair trends to porn, where the current norm is to be hairless. Just as clothes fashions change, so do body hair trends and these social norms often hold different expectations for women and men. 

Essentially it should always be a personal choice. Young people might like to talk to a parent or a trusted adult before they make any decisions about hair removal.

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