Step away from the razor… this is why you should NEVER shave your bikini line

Especially since more and more celebrities are showing off their bodily hair with pride.

And while some of us leave our body hair alone, research on 2000 women by Gillette suggests a huge 96 per cent of women aged 18 – 35 had styled their pubic hair at least once in their lifetime.

But apparently, taking a razor to the hair in your nether regions can be pretty bad for your health, according to gynaecologists.

Whether you trim to simply stop anything peeking out while relaxing in your bikini on holiday, or you're more of a 'landing strip' kind of girl, you're in the 96 per cent of people putting their health at risk.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists told Fabulous: "Pubic hair offers a natural barrier to keep things clean, to decrease contact with viruses and bacteria, and to protect the tender skin of the area.

They added that hair will help stop bacteria coming into the body and make dreaded infections like thrush less likely.

They said: “While protecting against diseases and skin problems, pubic hair also prevents foreign particles like dust and pathogenic bacteria from entering the body, and helps to control the moisture of the area which decreases the chances of yeast infections.”

While we've always known that shaving down there can lead to pesky ingrown hairs and let's be honest, sometimes a red itchy finish, we didn't know it was quite so detrimental.

The college also went on to explain shaving and waxing can leave the skin sore.

"Removing pubic hair also irritates and inflames the hair follicles left behind, leaving microscopic open wounds."

No wonder shaving can be irritating!

When those sore areas combine with the fact our nether regions provide ideal warm conditions for bacteria to grow, it's not good news because that bacteria can turn into disease and infection – neither which you're going to want.

"When that irritation is combined with the warm moist environment of the genitals, it becomes a happy culture medium for bacterial pathogens."

And what's even greater about hair down there is that it can help prevent contracting STIs such as genital warts.

The college said: "Although pubic hair doesn’t completely prevent STIs, it helps avoid skin on skin contact with someone who may already have it."

What implications can shaving your bikini line cause?

  • More likely to contract STIs such as genital warts through skin-to-skin contact
  • You may accidentally cut your sensitive skin around your vagina and bacteria could easily get into the cut
  • Irritation from ingrown hairs
  • Bacteria easily coming into the body – hair can help prevent/trap bacteria
  • The lack of hair will be unable to control moisture as easily which could lead to thrush or other infections
  • Tiny open wounds are left when you shave which can allow bacteria to more easily get under the skin and cause disease

So is there a better way of keeping things in line?

Gynaecologist Tania Adib from The Lister Hospital in Chelsea says it's slightly better to wax: “Many women question whether it is better to wax or shave, however it is probably better to wax.

"The risks with shaving are such that you cannot see down there as much as someone else can, and you may be more likely to cut yourself.

“Further to this, if you shave, you are more likely to do this more often, which increases the opportunities for irritation."

"Plus, if you use the same razor for shaving your intimate area as other parts of the body such as the armpits or legs, there is of course the risk of spreading bacteria.”

Maybe we all need a re-think.

But did you know, apparently the way you choose to trim it can say a lot about you too?

Also, Stacey Solomon revealed in her Fabulous Online column this week that she hasn't shaved down there in 10 years.

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