There was a time (and not that long ago) when talk of trimming your pubes wasn’t going on in even the bawdiest of locker-room settings. But times have changed. Although grooming this oh-so-private part of your body has been going on for ages, it seems like it’s only in the last few years that it’s become mainstream.
So, what length should you trim your pubic hair?
Trim or shave your pubic hair for better hygiene and a tidier look below the waist. Choose between scissors, clippers, or a razor. Then prepare the area in a warm shower before you trim your hair down to the desired length. Finish by treating the skin with a natural moisturizer like coconut or olive oil.
Whatever your motive, if you’ve been thinking about trimming it up downstairs you’ll be wanting to know what tools to use and what best practices to follow. Here’s our no-holds-barred guide to trimming your pubic hair.
Get your head straight
Long before you even think about lathering up your nethers, get your head in the right place. Even nowadays, many guys feel awkward or self-conscious about trimming or shaving their pubic area.
These hang-ups have probably been building steam since puberty, so it’s going to be difficult to reverse them overnight. All the same, do your best to make a switch in your attitude. Little by little, you’ll feel your perspective shifting.
Pubic hair 101
Just because you’re planning on grooming your pubes doesn’t mean you want to be an expert in the topic. Even so, it doesn’t hurt to get a little education on what’s going on with your groin.
Here are some basic pointers on the bush below your belt:
The starting point
For both men and women, pubic hair is one of a number of secondary sexual characteristics that develop during puberty. Under the influence of the male sex hormone testosterone, the hair on and around the genitals becomes thick and coarse.
In the male, the typical pattern is for it to grow around the pubic bone (just above the genitals), but it usually also develops over the scrotum and the inside part of the upper thighs. At the same time, hair develops in other parts of the body that are sensitive to rising testosterone (such as the armpits).
The pattern and thickness of pubic hair vary according to race and ethnicity and is also influenced by genetic inheritance. Untrimmed pubic hairs vary in length from 1-1.5 inches and growth remains consistent for most of the lifespan (although guys can expect a gradual thinning later in life as testosterone levels fall).
Keeping it clean
Even if you’ve never trimmed the area before, you’ll at least have given some thought to below-the-belt hygiene (particularly before an intimate encounter). For the most part, whatever you’re already doing in the shower is probably enough to keep your groin in good shape.
And don’t concern yourself with specialist soaps or shampoos for this region. Whatever soap or shower gel you use in the tub will pour over your groin and keep the area clean. As long as you’re a pretty hygienic kind of guy, your current daily routine is probably more than good enough to keep the skin and hair in this area in top shape.
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs can be painful and unsightly. This occurs when hair is trimmed too short, the ends become sharp and can curl back into the skin, resulting in ingrown hair.
To avoid ingrown hairs when trimming pubic hair, it is best to trim the hair to a length that is just short enough to reduce the amount of bulk, while still leaving the hair long enough so that the ends remain blunt and not sharp.
It is also important to exfoliate the skin before and after trimming to reduce the chances of an ingrown hair forming.
Why are so many guys shaving down there?
Magazines and social-media posts may abound with the many ways that guys and girls like to landscape their groins, but you may still be wondering what the motivation is. There’s no one way to answer this question as there are a great many reasons for people to decide to trim their pubic hair.
For the fashion-conscious, the primary reason may simply be to remove body hair that one doesn’t want to be visible in public. In a similar way, swimmers and other athletes often remove body hair below the waist because their chosen sport tends to expose that area to others.
Some guys prefer the look and feel (and improved hygiene) of a trimmed or shaven pubic area. This is particularly the case for those who are in a relationship. Recent surveys suggest that a clear majority of men and women favor the appearance of a groomed groin.
Pick your look
For most guys who get into grooming their pubic hair, one of the first things to think about is the style they’re looking to create. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference, but here are some of the ways your fellow males are sprucing themselves up:
The male bikini-line
You’ll no doubt be more than a little familiar with female bikini-line trimming. This common practice for many women involves removing pubic hair from the parts of the groin that are exposed by bikinis or other swimwear.
In a similar vein, some guys simply remove the hair that is visible above or below the underwear.
Just a trim
Guys looking for a more thorough trim will take clippers to the entire area of their pubic hair.
They’ll typically leave a thin layer of hair over the pubic bone, and may or may not clip down the hair on the scrotum.
All or nothing
And then there are those who want it all gone. Guys like this are trimming or shaving the entire pubic area and the scrotum, and some will use a razor or wax to go completely bald.
Shapes
Although much less common than for women, some guys are getting creative with their bush: think landing strips, arrows, hearts, and whatever else a man with a lot of time on his hands can imagine.
Prepare…then pull the trigger
Now that you’ve got some idea of how you want to style your pubes, take the time to choose your tools and prepare properly.
Here are some guidelines for the most common methods:
Cutting
You may not be too keen on bringing scissors anywhere near your balls, but sometimes you’ll just want to correct a few stray hairs or cut down the length a little.
In cases like this, there’s nothing wrong with using a pair of facial-hair scissors to do the job (these have blunted tips and are less likely to cause injury than barber’s scissors).
The best thing is to keep a particular pair just for this purpose. In addition, sterilize your snippers with a disinfectant for ten minutes beforehand to reduce the risk of infection.
You should also store these scissors in a cool, dry location that doesn’t encourage bacteria to multiply.
Trimming
If you want a little more taken off your pubes, then you’ll need an electric trimmer. While there’s nothing wrong with repurposing your regular hair clippers for this part of your body, you’ll now find many options at retailers that are designed for body hair.
Most body-hair clippers nowadays are cordless and waterproof, so they’re safe to take into the shower. And frankly, the shower’s one of the best places to be grooming your groin. The warmth of a hot shower will soften your hair and the water will keep the area hydrated.
Once you’ve trimmed the area down to the desired length, just rinse yourself off and proceed with your shower.
Shaving
Even current models of body-hair clipper won’t trim down to the skin, so if you’re looking for an even smoother finish then only a razor will do. But a word of caution before you begin! Needless to say, this is one of the most sensitive parts of the body and you’ll need to exercise extreme care throughout the whole process.
Just like a typical morning shave, you’ll get the best results after allowing your pubic hair to soak in the shower for a few minutes. This will soften the hairs for an easier shave, and the added hydration will reduce any irritation to the skin. You can even use a gentle cleanser or scrub beforehand to buff away dirt and dead skin cells.
Once you get down to the shave, take short, gentle strokes with the blade and do your best to shave with the grain of the hair, particularly during the first pass. Wield your razor with careful, deliberate movements to avoid causing any nicks. And if you’re also shaving your balls, take extra care around the folds and crevices of the scrotum as this region is vulnerable to cuts.
Aftercare
If you’ve only lightly trimmed or clipped the area, you may not need to do anymore in the way of aftercare than rinsing off in the shower.
If you’ve heavily trimmed or shaved, it’s worth adding a little moisture to replace what’s been lost. You don’t need anything fancy for this: a natural moisturizer like coconut or olive oil will do a great job.
Keeping trim and tidy below the waist
Your father may not have given it a moment’s thought, but for the modern man, it’s now a priority to keep his pubic hair trimmed and under control. And with only a few extra minutes added to your weekly grooming routine, you’ll spruce up your bush in next to no time.
Common Questions For Trimming Pubic Hair for Men
Can I get laser hair removal for pubic hair as a guy?
Yes, many men opt for laser hair removal of the pubic area. Although laser hair removal treatments are usually more expensive than other methods of hair removal, the result is permanent and can be very effective.
However, it’s important to consult with a doctor before undergoing laser hair removal to determine the best option for your individual needs.
What can I do to prevent razor burn when trimming pubic hair?
To prevent razor burn when trimming pubic hair, it is important to take proper precautions. First, make sure to use a sharp razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. Additionally, it is important to use a moisturizing shaving cream to lubricate the area and reduce friction.
Finally, it is important to rinse the area thoroughly with cold water after shaving and to apply an aftershave lotion to soothe the skin.
How can I remove public hair without shaving?
Waxing and depilatory creams are two alternatives to shaving that can help you remove pubic hair. Waxing involves applying warm wax to the targeted area and then quickly pulling it off to remove the hair. With depilatory creams, you apply the cream to the targeted area and wait for a few minutes before wiping it off with a cloth.
Both waxing and depilatory creams are effective for removing pubic hair, but you should always read the directions carefully and test a small area of skin before applying either of these methods to a larger area.
What direction should I trim my pubic hair in?
Generally, it is recommended to trim your pubic hair in the direction of hair growth. This will help reduce the risk of skin irritation and minimize the amount of hair pulled when trimming.
Hi, I’m Theo, and I started Shaving Parlour to help men everywhere get the best shave of their lives. Check out my popular guides on Safety Razors, Shaving Cream, Shaving Brushes, Beard Oil, and more!