PT Health Life – Many people think that pubic hair causes odor and is unhygienic and want to remove hair in this area. So should we shave, bleach, or remove hair from our private areas?
1. Should you remove pubic hair?
pubic hair is hair that grows around the genitals. Like other areas of the body, pubic hair contains sweat, oil, and bacteria, and because it’s difficult to breathe in an intimate area, it can have a stronger odor than other areas of the body. This makes many people think that pubic hair causes odor and is unhygienic and want to remove hair in this area. However, this is not a concern when you clean regularly and properly.
Furthermore, arbitrarily shaving, bleaching or removing pubic hair can have some potential side effects such as:
– Infection :Pubic hair has a protective function by preventing the entry of pathogens into the body. Therefore, removing pubic hair can make some people more susceptible to common infections, such as vaginitis, yeast infections, etc. Hair removal can also cause skin irritation, leading to infection. skin such as cellulitis and folliculitis .
– Ingrown hairs:Ingrown hairs are curled hairs that grow back into the skin. They get stuck instead of penetrating through and appearing on the surface where you can usually see them. Ingrown hairs will often cause a bump on the skin, which can be red and itchy.
Therefore, Dr. Nguyen Bich Ngoc recommends that women should not arbitrarily shave or remove hair from their private areas. In some cases such as: preparing to give birth, before surgery related to gynecological problems (because pubic hair is too thick leading to infection …), the doctor may prescribe pubic hair removal. .
2. How to properly keep the private area clean?
Because the vagina has a self-cleaning function thanks to cleaning fluid (vaginal secretions) that carries dead cells and other microorganisms out of the body. Therefore, deep vaginal douching is not recommended, unless advised by a doctor in certain special cases.
To keep the genital area clean , just use clean warm water and a cleaning solution with a neutral pH to clean the outside of the genitals (vulva). Avoid using soap because they often have a higher pH and contain fragrances that can dry out or even irritate sensitive skin.
Under normal conditions, you should only wash your private area with cleaning solution once a day. Use your hands to gently wash and rinse with water. Overuse of cleaning solutions will disrupt the skin’s protective barrier, causing irritation and infection…
Additionally, please note:
– Avoid shaving pubic hair. Instead, you can choose to trim or trim it if you see too much hair and cause inconvenience during cleaning.
– Gently dry the private area after each toilet use with toilet paper or a soft towel. Penetrating from front to back because bacteria from the anus can spread to the vagina and cause infection.
– Wear underwear made from natural fibers, not tight. Because anaerobic bacteria exist in the vagina when exposed to a favorable environment, they will develop, such as wearing clothes that are too tight or too stuffy for a long time.
– You should not use sanitary napkins regularly every day because it will cause congestion and increase vaginal discharge.
– During menstruation, make sure to change sanitary napkins every 3-4 hours and gently clean with warm water.
– Visit your gynecologist periodically or when you experience unusual symptoms such as a foul, fishy vaginal odor accompanied by excessive vaginal discharge that is yellow, blue or light pink in color for diagnosis and treatment.
Benefits of pubic hair:
– Protects the vagina from bacteria and other pathogens: Similar to eyelashes, nose hair, pubic hair acts as a barrier to prevent the penetration of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause infections. such as vaginal yeast or vaginal infection…
– Reduce friction in private areas : Daily activities such as walking, cycling… always create a certain amount of friction in the groin area. Pubic hair helps reduce friction on the skin, thereby limiting possible irritation in this sensitive area.
– Maintains genital temperature : On cold days, pubic hair helps keep the genital area warm. On the contrary, on hot summer days, the pubic hairline secretes a cooling oil to reduce heat in this area.
