Hair. Down There.

Bush. Pubes. Tuft. Forbidden forest. Garden. Muff. All names we have used to refer to our ‘hair down there’. Over the course of human history, female pubic hair trends, have gone from ‘disco bush’ to ‘hardwood floors’, and many-a-variation in-between. But somewhere along the line, ‘balding your beaver’ has become more of an expectation, than a choice.

As a 2016 study, conducted by researchers at the University of California suggests, a whopping 84% of vagina bearing females “groom” their pubic hair. We’re talking trimming, shaving, waxing and the like. For under 18 to 30-year-olds, this number is even higher, at a hefty 96% (as another earlier study delineates). But, this hasn’t always been the case...

The Whole Hairy History

Our cultural interest in pubic hair goes back further than you may expect. Ancient Egyptian drawings depict women with small triangles of pubic hair and bronze razors placed in their tomb, ready to accompany them to the afterlife. History tells us, that in Ancient Greece and within the Roman Empire, pubic hair was considered ‘uncivilised’ because of the supposed risk of pubic lice, as well as trends in fashion and class/cultural symbolism.

Interestingly, these perspectives were not adopted (or at least not widely adopted) by European Caucasian women, until some many hundreds of years later, in the late 1900s. Come July 1915, ladies were socialised to believe that body hair was ‘unsightly’ when Gillette introduced the world’s first razor for women. This was partnered with the rise of women’s magazines, which glorified and promoted ‘self-improvement products’ for ‘smoothing’ female skin. Then, in 1950, Hugh Hefner’s Playboy models began appearing with clean-shaven pussies, further transforming the model of ideal feminine beauty.

Then, in the flower power and trippy hippy ages of the 60s and 70s, feminists revolted and sought to rekindle the love for the muff. Thereby giving birth to, ‘the disco bush’! But this pubic phenomenon was short-lived, and society soon fell back in lust with hairlessness.

Flash forward to 1987, where the famous Brazilian J. Sisters set up shop in Manhattan, New York. As you may have guessed, this was the birthplace of the ‘Brazilian Wax’! However, this ‘braz’ style remained fairly unpopular, until the 2000s when fictional New York City gal, Carrie Bradshaw popped her Brazilian wax cherry.

Since then, hairless women have dominated our screens, courtesy (mostly) of the porn industry.

Dirty, Dirty Girl?

Accompanied with this cultural ‘trend’ towards hairlessness, we have developed a dangerous misconception that pubic hair is somehow... dirty? This is not true. In fact, no compelling health benefit of hairlessness can be identified, other than the (slightly outdated) pubic lice prevention. On the contrary, hair removal can actually create health issues, related to hair follicle damage, cuts/scrapes and ingrown hairs.

True. Pubic hair can change the smell of your yoni. But this smell is not unpleasant (if it is, I would suggest there may be another issue at play you might want to see your doctor about), nor is it shameful. Some would even argue the exact opposite is true!

So, should the Future be Hairy?

Yes... and no! I am not suggesting that tending to your forest is anything to be ashamed of, or to avoid! What I am proposing, is that you create space to consciously consider your reasons for your hairstyle of choice. Because, whatever totally acceptable and worthy road you take, this decision for or against hair down there, should never be made out of fear, shame, or guilt.

Whichever way the razor falls, your hair in no way dictates your sexiness or your worth. It is your right to use and present your body in a way that feels good to you!

Tell me…

How do you tend to your forbidden forrest, and why? Fellas, what are your thoughts on hair versus no hair? Tell me, below!