All of Your Most Pressing Pubic Hair Questions, Answered

For something that occupies such a tiny plot of land on the body, there's a lot of concern given to the upkeep of pubic hair. A recent Cosmopolitan.com survey indicates that 62 percent of female respondents groom their pubes at least weekly. Your pubic hair is something relatively few people see, yet it raises so many questions. What's trendy for pubes? How the heck does anyone avoid razor burn? Cosmopolitan.com readers asked the most mind-boggling pube queries they could think of, and below, experts give you answers.

"Besides going gray as you get older, can pubic hair change color?"
Just like the hair on your head probably will go gray eventually, the hair on your private parts will go gray eventually. Think of that Sex and the City episode where Samantha finds her first gray pube — it's real! Leah Millheiser, an ob-gyn and director of the Female Sexual Medicine Program at Stanford University, said there are other things, however, that can seemingly cause pubic hair to change color overnight. "This may be due to a bacterial infection that causes a yellow coating around the hair shaft," she said. She added that "normal vaginal discharge" can also dry on pubic hair and cause it to look white or gray.

"Is there an evolutionary reason why we have pubic hair?"
While there are only theories as to why pubes exist, the most common one is that it most likely developed to "protect the genitals against friction during sexual intercourse," according to Dr. Millheiser. Another popular theory, referenced by Dr. Millheiser, is that it signaled to potential mates that someone had gone through puberty and was able to reproduce. A third ~flirty~ (and widely held) theory for the existence of pubes, and perhaps an argument against going bare, is that pubes act as a "scent trap" for pheromones in the genital area that could help attract a sexual partner. Think of it as a sexy musk totally unique to you.

"How do I shave without getting irritated? I feel like I've tried everything but I still have really bad razor bumps."
The skin in your pubic area is extra sensitive, and the hair is a bit coarser than other body hair. The combination of those two facts can mean shaving there gets a bit dicey. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist in New York City, advised the best time to shave your pubic hair is in the shower, but not right after you get in — wait a while. "The humidity and warmth of the water helps hydrate and soften both the skin and the hair, allowing shaving to be an easier process," Dr. Zeichner said. He also said you should shave with the direction of the hair, not against the grain. Shaving against the grain may give a closer shave, but it increases the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps. "Take short, single strokes and rinse off the razor every one to two shaves," Dr. Zeichner said. That keeps the razor blades from getting clogged up with hair and shave gel. A clogged razor is more likely to leave the ends of your pubic hair ragged, and ragged ends are more likely to become irritated.

Equally important is how you take care of the skin after shaving. "Razor burn is essentially inflammation of the skin from shaving," Dr. Zeichner said. Aftershave lotions or high-quality moisturizers with petrolatum as an ingredient should do the trick, and Dr. Zeichner recommended Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair lotion, which is unscented and safe to use near your bikini line. Just don't get it in your actual vagina.

"Why is pubic hair thicker than the rest of my hair?"
If your pubic hair has that thick texture you wish the hair on top of your head had, you're not alone. And if you think it's unfair that you only have to get a haircut once every few months but trim your pubes weekly, you're not alone in that either. Dr. Millheiser said pubic hair tends to be thicker because it's meant to "protect humans against the friction that occurs during sex." It's like a nice little buffer.

"Is it sanitary to use the same razor for my legs and pubic hair?"
Razor blades are expensive AF — but unfortunately, both Dr. Zeichner and Dr. Millheiser said it's best to have two separate razors. "Due to the texture of pubic hair, a shaper blade is required to remove the hair," she said. If you're using the same razor for your legs and pubic hair, it'll get duller much faster because you're using it more. Dr. Zeichner added that you should really only use the same razor if you can be sure there are no nicks or cuts in the skin, which can be hard to do because some nicks or cuts might be too small to see. A separate razor is best for removing pubic hair, and ideally one that's shaped to more nimbly navigate the vulva. There are smaller razors, usually called "bikini razors," that are easier to use down there than a full-size razor you use on your legs.

"Why do I get ingrown hairs?"
According to Dr. Zeichner, ingrown hairs happen when the free edge of a hair gets trapped back into the skin. The risk for this is higher if skin is inflamed, or if you're using a dull razor, which leaves a jagged edge on the hair that's more likely to grow back into the skin. To avoid ingrown hairs, Dr. Zeichner suggested shaving in the direction the hair grows and take care of skin after shaving with a good moisturizer.

"How often do other people wax or shave their pubic hair?"
Dr. Millheiser said this is widely variable from person to person, and largely depends on personal preference, rate of pube growth, age, and gender. A Cosmopolitan.com survey found that women are more likely than men to groom pubic hair in some capacity at least once a week. And women also tend to spend more on said grooming — 55 percent of women said they spend $1 to $20 a month on pube-grooming, while 67 percent of men said they spend zilch.

"Is it OK to be bare, or do you need pubic hair?"
Again, pubes are likely there for a reason — to protect against friction caused by sex and provide a barrier against bacteria. Dr. Millheiser said it's perfectly OK to be bare, but shaving or waxing may put women in particular at risk of bacterial infections or STIs because of small tears in the skin that allow for easier transmission of viruses and bacteria. Whatever you do, do it because it's what you want, and stay aware of any risks that come from your preferred grooming method.