Keeping tidy
down there
Everything you need to know about
intimate shaving
Male pubic hair comes in many varieties - from all out fuzz to nothing at all, and everything in between. Whilst there is no definitive way to style your intimate area, it certainly does not hurt to tidy up every once in a while. Learning the ins and outs of intimate shaving and the best way to remove pubic hair can help to boost confidence as well as improve personal hygiene.
The purpose of pubic hair may seem obsolete; however, it is believed men have pubic hair for the following reasons:
- Guards against bacteria and other pathogens
- Keeps the genitals warm
- Reduces friction during sex
- Signals sexual maturity
Like most of male body hair though, as we have evolved, many of these reasons for having pubic hair may no longer be as important as they once were. We now wear clothes to stay warm, signal sexual maturity in other ways and are able to guard against bacteria through generally better personal hygiene and sanitation. As the function of male pubic hair is now less important than it was when we were cavemen, many men are learning how to shave their pubic hair to tidy up downstairs.
If you're confident sweeping the blade across your face like many men, shaving pubic hair and your genital area isn't much more difficult. Here are a few tips before you start manscaping before getting started.
- Heat up the bathroom so you do not have cold goosebumps, these create tiny mounds on the skin, making it easy to cut yourself
- Give your pubic area a good wash beforehand to stop any germs entering the skin as you shave, warm water also softens hairs for more comfortable grooming
- We recommend a wet shave for perfect results as it's more thorough than shaving dry
- Bacteria can irritate the skin, so make sure it doesn't stand a chance by using a clean or brand-new blade
If you still want to brave a dry shave, you'll find our tips at the bottom of this page. Additionally, if a wet shave is not for you - maybe you would like to retain some fuzz, as some men do - this guide will also teach how to trim pubic hair as this is an essential step toward a full wet shave.
Three steps to
taming the fuzz
After you have suitably warmed up the bathroom and are ready to begin shaving your pubic hair, the first step is to trim it down to a suitable length whereby you can sweep a razor over it. Much like how you would remove a big bushy beard from your face, you would not go straight for the razor as the longer hairs tend to get caught, and all the hacking away means you are more likely to nick yourself and irritate the underlying skin.
Trimming your pubic hair is a good way to control the growth of your pubes without going completely bare. You can trim your pubic hair with scissors, however for more thorough and even results we suggest using trimmers.
How to trim pubic hair with trimmers: simply pull the skin so it is nice and taut, then use the trimmer at a 45 degree angle, going with the grain, to cut down the hair to just a few millimeters. It's as easy as that!
How to trim pubic hair with scissors: comb your hairs so they are smooth and untangled, then as you comb, lay the comb flat against your skin and trim the hairs above it. The comb pressed flat against your skin will act as a shield which should prevent you from accidentally nicking the skin.
You may be happy with the results obtained from just trimming your pubic hair, to completely remove the fuzz though it is onto the next step in the intimate shaving journey: the wet shave.
Top tip: trim your pubic hair when it is dry so the hairs don't clump together, making it harder to trim and detail. Also standing on a towel, in the shower or bath will make for an easier cleanup.
Now you have successfully learnt how to trim pubic hair, it is time to learn how to tackle what remains. Prior to diving in with the razor it would help to shower, or at least quickly rinse your pubic hair after trimming to wash away any trimmed hairs and soften up what is left for an easier cut. This can get risky, as for obvious reasons, you want to avoid any nicks and cuts to your genital area - so take your time and focus on your technique. Once you're ready to proceed, the intimate wet shave is completed in the following steps.
How to shave your pubic hair for men:
- Lather up with a sensitive shaving foam (as this is a particularly sensitive region) such as NIVEA MEN Sensitive Shaving Foam, apply this to your upper pubic region and your testicles
- Pull your skin so it is nice and taut and then begin to remove the hair by making long and smooth strokes with the grain (in the direction of growth), ensuring you are regularly rinsing the blade of any caught hairs
- Repeat this process as much as necessary until you have removed all of the hairs, remember to be careful not to press down too hard with the razor as this can cause irritation and razor burn
- Rinse off any foam residue or loose hairs and either pat dry or leave to dry naturally
Congratulations men, you now know how to shave your pubic hair and have perfectly shaved genitals!
Top tip: for those hard to reach areas, try putting one foot on the side of the bath or on a stool to get a better reach.
Just like you wouldn't skip the aftercare when shaving your face, make sure you don't skip it after intimate shaving. You've done the hard part, so make sure to apply a post-shave balm to protect against any unpleasant redness or itchiness. We recommend NIVEA MEN Sensitive After Shave Balm to soothe your shaved genital region and provide long lasting hydration.
You have now conquered the best way to remove pubic hair and look after your newly shaved genitals.
Final
steps
Dry shaving pubic hair and the genital area is challenging, but not impossible and is favoured by some men. Proceed with care, because some models of electric dry razors have a trimmer integrated between the foils of the shaving head. Never use this kind of razor for shaving the groin area, as the skin down there has creases that the face does not. If one of these creases were to get caught in the trimmer, it could be extremely painful and even bleed. After trimming your pubic hair down to just a few millimetres, take your electric dry razor and shave around the groin in small, circular motions. Afterwards, we recommend you use an after-shave balm to relieve any redness and itchiness.
Even men who have been intimate shaving for many years can get pesky ingrown hairs, rashes or bumps in the pubic region after shaving, despite taking utmost care. If these symptoms appear, it is best to stop shaving until they go away. If the symptoms persist or appear to be getting worse after shaving it would be best to see your doctor for advice.
For each symptom, here are a few things you should do/not do for each:
- Ingrown hairs: hold off shaving until the hairs have been growing back for a few weeks. Damp a cloth with warm water and use it to gently massage the area daily exfoliating it, until the irritation improves
- Rash: definitely do not scratch any rash or itchy area as this will only heighten the irritation and could even lead to infection. Cold compress can help to stop any burning coming from a rash Ensure the skin is hydrated as dehydrated skin is more susceptible to rashes.
- Bumps: use a soothing balm to relieve irritation whilst you allow time for the hair to grow back out and the bumps to disappear. Shave less frequently if you are prone to bumps and consider using an electric razor.
Wet and dry intimate shaving aren't the only ways men use to get rid of pubic hair. Rather than recommending another method, here's an overview of the other best ways to remove pubic hair:
Brazilian waxing: Involves applying warm wax to the hair and – once it has cooled down – quickly tearing it off against the direction of growth. This one’s not for the faint hearted!
Epilating: The hairs along with their roots are torn out millimetre by millimetre. Ouch!
Sugaring: Despite sounding sweet, this method is exactly the same as waxing, but using a sugar paste to cling on better to the hairs. No pain no gain… but we'll pass on this one.
Hair-removal creams: Applying chemicals to the genital area, which may lead to rashes and skin irritation, certainly won’t appeal to everyone.
