The dictates of fashion have often affected women's health.  One only needs to remember the bunions and low back pain that were associated with spike high heels and narrow toe shoes to appreciated the power fashion trends can hold over us.  The current trend of ever more revealing lingerie and bathing suits has young women shaving places they never have before.

    Hair removal from these sensitive pubic areas can be tricky and result in irritating skin rashes or infections.

    There are four basic methods of hair removal today.  Waxing involves the pulling out of hair as you peel away dried wax.  It can be done professionally or at home with kits.  Many women avoid this method because they find it painful.  Depilatory creams are another potent method for hair removal.  These chemicals are so strong they are best left for the more rugged skin of the legs.  Another method of hair removal is electrolysis.  Permanent, but expensive and painful, this procedure is the least popular choice.

    The most widespread means of eliminating body hair is shaving.  The evolution of shaving began during prehistoric times and continues to develop today.  From plucking hairs out with shells to using electric shavers, shaving has undergone many changes.  Even with the development of high tech razors, repeated shaving can cause problems such as razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and folliculitis.  All three can cause itching, pain, unsightly red bumps, and possibly scarring.

    Technically razor bumps result from a curly hair growing out of the skin, curling around, and then growing back in.  Ingrown hairs result from simply cutting the hair too short.  Folliculitis is caused by inflammation of the superficial portion of the hair follicles and may occur in any hair-bearing skin, particularly the axillae and genital area.  These problems can be minimized by a combination of specific shaving practices.

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Basic Shaving Tips

	Long pubic hair should be trimmed with clippers or scissors before shaving.
	Soak in a warm bath or wait to shave at the end of your shower because hair that is thoroughly wet cuts more easily.
	Apply shaving cream a few minutes before shaving to further soften the hair.  Consider using a cream, with additional conditioners or aloe.
	Be sure to use a sharp blade.  Razors should be used for only one or two shavings of the pubic area.  Razors should never be borrowed.
	When shaving, stroke an area no more than twice to reduce skin irritation.
	Shaving in the direction the hair lies (typically downward) will result in less pull on the hairs and less tendency to cut them too short.  Shaving against the grain of the hair will give you a closer shave but is also more likely to cause irritation.
	Slightly stretch the skin to allow the razor to pass smoothly without nicking.  Pulling the skin too tight when shaving results in hairs being cut below the resting surface of the skin which can lead to ingrown hairs.
	Practice good hygiene after shaving.  Wash the area with soap and water daily to reduce the risk of infection.
	Go as long as possible between shavings to reduce skin irritation.
	People who walk/run/exercise a lot might wish to skip shaving altogether since sweat and clothing rubbing on the skin can greatly irritate your shaven pubic area.
	Small razor bumps can be partly alleviated by applying Visine Eye Drops with a Q-tip.
	Minor irritation and folliculitis that occur from shaving are often self-limiting.  If they do develop, avoid further shaving and irritants, tight clothing, and hot tubs.  Keep the area cool and dry.
	If the skin eruption become pustulant, persistent, and large, seek medical care.  Antibiotic therapy may be indicated.