I'm a woman who wants to shave all my hair down there. Is there a health reason why I shouldn't?

Monday, February 4, 2013

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Monday, February 4, 2013

I'm a woman who wants to shave all my hair down there. Is there a health reason why I shouldn't?

Filed Under: Embarrassing Questions

POSTED: Monday, February 4, 2013, 9:54 AM

I'm a woman who wants to shave all my hair down there. Is there a health reason why I shouldn't?

Mike Cirigliano, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine at Penn Medicine.

Removal of genital hair is a very common practice. In fact, in one study, up to 70 percent of young men and women between the ages of 12 to 20 admitted to shaving their genital areas. That being said, there are some risks associated with the practice. Improper shaving can lead to irritation of the skin, folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles (from shaving against the grain of the hair), and cuts. Some studies even suggest that this form of body modification is more common in sexually active adolescents compared to those who are not.

If you’re going to partake, be very careful and for sure, know how to shave properly.

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