How Often Can You Dye Your Hair Safely?

Table Of Content

• Where Can You Learn More About Maintaining Healthy Hair?
• Maintaining your hair color during your summer beach vacation
• Dove Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray
• At-home permanent hair dye
• Products You Might Also Like
• Can You Use Purple Toning Shampoo On Brown Hair?

If your hair is extremely dry or brittle, you'll need to wait until it's healthy and moisturized before dyeing it. Just as if you were going to a professional hairstylist, dying your hair at home has some rules. Avoid dying more often than six to eight weeks if you’re using traditional permanent dye, as it can damage your hair. Depending on your hair's porosity, both experts say that henna dye lasts anywhere between four to six weeks.

Where Can You Learn More About Maintaining Healthy Hair?

What We Know About the Link Between Hair Dye and Cancer - The New York Times

What We Know About the Link Between Hair Dye and Cancer.

Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Some formulas, like the L'Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray and most hair chalks, will wash as soon as one day. These dyes are perfect for changing your hair for a special occasion or easing your way into a different color before you’re sure you want to commit with a more permanent dye. Other temporary hair-color formulas, like the I’m Bored Hair Makeup from Good Dye Young, will last several washes, gradually fading more and more with each shampoo.

Maintaining your hair color during your summer beach vacation

These sections cover some of the most common dye types and how to use them safely. Dressed Up applied to damp hair before the thought of a blow-dryer enters your head is the way to go, as it also adds a soft hold, and supplements some of the moisture you’re sure to lose. By leveraging its proprietary technology platform, 50-state medical group, and nationwide mail-order pharmacy network, LifeMD is increasing access to amazing healthcare that is affordable to everyone. For example, fine hair tends to absorb color faster and more intensely than thicker hair, but it may also be more prone to damage. Dyeing your hair is a great way to revamp your look, but how often you should do so will depend largely on the kind of dye you’re using. Color glosses are used to moisturize and keep your color looking bright and vibrant.

Dove Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray

If you wash your hair daily, you can expect to need a touch-up much more quickly than if you wash your hair once a week. Permanent hair dye, as the name implies, permanently changes your hair color. It won’t wash out, though it might look a bit duller over time.

At-home permanent hair dye

According to colorist Cherin Choi, it all depends on your unique hair type, the dye process involved, and your desired look. For example, thicker hair can typically handle more stress than fine, curly hair, she says. After you’ve dyed your hair it’s important to make sure your hair stays hydrated. If you notice any of these signs, avoid dyeing your hair for a while and focus on restorative treatments instead. For example, if you prefer your hair to be significantly lighter or darker than your natural shade, you might need to dye it more frequently. The results you want from your hair color can impact how often you need to dye it.

How Long to Wait to Wash Hair After Coloring - POPSUGAR

How Long to Wait to Wash Hair After Coloring.

Posted: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

"Because they interact poorly with professional products," even a color correction may result in multiple rounds and added stress to your already vulnerable strands, she says. The nourishing weekly treatment will keep hair healthy and color fresh. Before you reach for your at-home hair color, it’s important to understand that you may need to treat your hair differently once you’ve actually colored it. To keep your locks feeling soft and to preserve the life of your new hue, follow these tips.

It is recommended to use color-safe shampoos, deep conditioners, and temporary hair dyes instead of demi-permanent ones for frequent use. While semi-permanent dye sits on the hair’s surface, demi-permanent hair color goes a little deeper. It’s deposit only, meaning it penetrates the hair shaft, but it doesn’t contain any chemicals to lighten hair — you can only dye to your natural hair color or go darker.

Can You Use Purple Toning Shampoo On Brown Hair?

Getting a professional opinion is the only way to know for sure what will be best for your hair. Join LifeMD today and experience amazing healthcare, discounted labs and prescription medications... LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of yourhealth because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting yourlabs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover ahealthcare solution built around you and your life. These steps can help keep your hair hydrated and nourished, which is essential for keeping the strands and scalp protected.

While we’re on the topic of hair damage, you should also base how often you dye your hair with the amount of hair damage you have. After all, you wouldn’t want to damage your strands further, would you? If your hair has minimal damage, you can go ahead with more frequent coloring sessions. If your hair is super damaged, your best bet is to put off dyeing your strands as much as possible. This is because semi-permanent dyes don’t contain any peroxide (unlike demi-permanent and permanent dyes).

It is best to wait at least 8 weeks between bleaching or highlighting sessions. Those with dry, porous hair should space out dyeing sessions while utilizing gentle glosses. For longevity with minimal sacrifice to your strands, maintain color with occasional gloss and customized hair care. To achieve the desired results, the permanent dye should be used with a developer product.

These dyes use harsh chemicals and can damage your hair if used incorrectly. It’s generally recommended to wait at least one week before dyeing your hair again. Semi-temporary dye, also known as demi-permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, lasts longer than temporary dyes (about four to six weeks) but gradually fades over time.

Temporary dye lasts the shortest amount of time and will typically come out after your first shampoo. The Editorial Team is comprised of several freelance hair enthusiasts that share a love of hairstyles, haircare, and hair products. Using both personal experience and third-party research, the team brings a unique perspective to their writing that might even feel like your hairstylist is talking to you themselves. If you plan to do a synthetic process in the first couple of weeks after henna, the synthetic process will open up the cuticle, pushing henna inside and chemically altering it with unpredictable results. Yes, even with the beneficial ingredients, there are ingredients that are damaging to your hair.

As a general rule, the more porous hair is, the more dry, coarse, and damaged it can appear. Bleaching hair involves using chemicals to strip the strand of its melanin so it appears lighter in color. Because bleaching is a 100% permanent method and cannot be washed out, it will last until you get new regrowth. You cannot alter the color of bleached strands except for adding more color onto them, or, alternatively, by waiting for them to grow out. Depending on the type of dye you use, you can color your hair safely every four to eight weeks. Due to its lasting nature and use of strong chemicals, permanent dye can be more damaging to the hair.

Cover up with a hat, scarf or bandana to keep your hair dye from fading fast. For dark-haired beauties, every three to four weeks is a good time frame for going in to get highlights or lowlights done. With balayage and ombre styles, you can go longer as the grown-out roots look really works well with these styles. If you have light brown or blonde hair, then you may be able to go a few months without dyeing it.

“Reach out to your colorist and see if they can put a color kit together for you,” says Rez, who has been busy doing exactly that for clients. Otherwise, start by figuring out what color your hair truly is. “Are you a medium warm brown, a light cool blonde? Once you better understand that, selecting a color becomes less complicated,” says Lee. Because color-treated hair is already quite fragile, stay away from heat-styling tools for the moment and try air-drying your tresses whenever possible. Once you’re out of the shower, a leave-in conditioner does wonders in protecting your hair from dryness and tangles.

While it’s generally recommended to consult your hair care professional about hair concerns, LifeMD can help if you are concerned about your scalp health. These steps can help maintain the vibrancy of your hair color, minimizing your need for touch-ups. If done well, these coloring methods can last for three to six months before you need to dye your hair again. Similarly, vibrant or unconventional colors may fade faster, and you may need to visit the salon more often to maintain the look. Individuals with sensitive scalps may encounter irritation or allergic reactions to hair dye ingredients. This can limit the types and frequency of dye applications to prevent discomfort.

How Often Can You Dye Hair Without Damaging It?

Table Of Content

• Hair Color 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Dyeing Your Hair
• Temporary Hair Dye
• What Type Of Hair Dye Are You Using?
• Here are some factors to consider when you think about how often to dye your hair:
• Permanent Dye
• Try a Color-Safe Heat Protectant

Even if you are just using the box dye for covering your roots again. However, if you are dye your whole head every 2 weeks, and you are using dye that contains peroxide then this is going to be a problem. If you are just dyeing the roots of your hair every two weeks, then it is not a problem, and damage will be limited. A sealed cuticle means nothing gets into your strand or out of it. Conditioner seals the cuticle, keeping color in and environmental aggressors that can accelerate fading out.

What We Know About the Link Between Hair Dye and Cancer - The New York Times

What We Know About the Link Between Hair Dye and Cancer.

Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Hair Color 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Dyeing Your Hair

If you wash your hair daily, you can expect to need a touch-up much more quickly than if you wash your hair once a week. While, yes, you can technically dye your hair every two weeks (especially with at-home dye), our experts don't recommend it. Remember, dyeing your hair is a chemical process that can compromise your hair strands, causing breakage, damage, and even dryness if done too frequently or incorrectly. Bleach doesn’t just hide your natural hair color; it actually gets inside the hair follicle. That means once you’ve bleached your hair, it’s bleached for good. To get rid of it, you’ll have to grow it out or color over it without the bleach affecting the new dye job.

Temporary Hair Dye

These also don't contain ammonia or fully penetrate the hair's cuticle. Most toners stylists use in the salon are demi-permanent, lasting longer than semi-permanent formulas. The paraben-free shampoo has a low pH that’s supposed to prolong the vibrancy of your hair color. You’ll also want to make sure you’re not bleaching hair that’s already been bleached. This means you’ll definitely want to wait until your new hair has completely grown out before you bleach again, generally at least 8 to 10 weeks. Here, we tapped henna experts Khadija Dawn Carryl and Rowena Bird.

What Type Of Hair Dye Are You Using?

Brunettes turned blonde know that covering up roots is crucial. Due to the rapid rate at which hair can grow, you might be tempted to visit the salon too frequently to dye your hair. There is a limit to how often you can color your hair without causing damage that may take unnecessary time and effort to repair. Of course, you still can hop from color to color, your hair will just need a little more care to help it look the way you want it to. If this sounds like you, read on to learn about how to keep color on point and hair healthy throughout the transitions. This is where you need to consider how much of a change the coloring is.

Love Beauty and Planet Blooming Color Murumuru Butter & Rose Sulfate-Free Shampoo

"Generally, the less you color your hair, the better since you're subjecting it to less stress and chemicals," says Giselle Luza, NYC colorist and founder of Soho Blondes. So, if you want to keep your roots covered, the timing of your dye jobs will differ from someone keeping up all-over color or highlights. To get to the root of how often you can dye your hair, we spoke to three professional  colorists on how to time your color appointment—whether in the salon or at home. Most professional salons exclusively offer synthetic hair dyes, so if you're looking to try henna, you'll likely have to do it at home.

MINU Shampoo

Sign up to our newsletter and get exclusive hair care tips and tricks from the experts at All Things Hair. After you’ve dyed your hair it’s important to make sure your hair stays hydrated. We love using Dove Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray to prep our strands and keep them safe from heat damage. Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about healthy hair and scalp care — all from the comfort of your home. If you notice any of these signs, avoid dyeing your hair for a while and focus on restorative treatments instead. Just remember to take proper care of your hair and scalp in between salon sessions to avoid future damage.

Here’s How Often You Can Dye Your Hair, According to Professional Colorists - Well+Good

Here’s How Often You Can Dye Your Hair, According to Professional Colorists.

Posted: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Hair glossing treatments can add shine and enhance natural tones without altering the color dramatically. To keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy, it is important to prioritize the use of conditioners. Hair experts recommend using heat protection before styling, as well as deep conditioning for extra nourishment. She says to pick up a hair color remover from your local drugstore that contains sulfur.

This protective, spray-on oil shields against UV rays and gives your hair a dose of moisture and shine, thanks to ingredients such as coconut water and vitamin E. While it’s generally recommended to consult your hair care professional about hair concerns, LifeMD can help if you are concerned about your scalp health. These steps can help maintain the vibrancy of your hair color, minimizing your need for touch-ups. If done well, these coloring methods can last for three to six months before you need to dye your hair again. Individuals with sensitive scalps may encounter irritation or allergic reactions to hair dye ingredients.

Try a Color-Safe Heat Protectant

For example, fine hair tends to absorb color faster and more intensely than thicker hair, but it may also be more prone to damage. You can also keep your color looking fresh with the help of root cover-up. Both the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up and the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen come in a range of shades to conceal your roots in a flash while rinsing out in just one shampoo. The Editorial Team is comprised of several freelance hair enthusiasts that share a love of hairstyles, haircare, and hair products. Using both personal experience and third-party research, the team brings a unique perspective to their writing that might even feel like your hairstylist is talking to you themselves.

In general, the recommended time frame is at least 6 to 8 weeks for dye upkeep if you’re using demi-permanent and permanent hair dyes. These dyes use harsh chemicals and can damage your hair if used incorrectly. This article will explore the factors determining how often you can dye your hair without causing damage. Bleach is not technically hair dye, but it is used during the color process when taking the hair from dark to light and in things like highlights, lowlights, and balayage.

This is typically an issue if someone already uses protein-rich treatments, such as certain hair masks. Look for ingredients like natural oils, collagens, and proteins that will deeply condition, strengthen hair’s outer layer, and work to repair core nourishment. We believe that natural is best and that’s why we use only the cleanest ingredients that are backed by science to provide pure and ultimate hydration.

Porosity refers to how effectively your hair absorbs and holds moisture. No — tempting though it might be, you run the risk of damaging your hair even more. “This is a low-level peroxide dye and should be done every 6 to 8 weeks,” Mitchell says.

They explain everything there is to know about henna and using it on your hair. From the expectations you should set and what hair types it works best on, to how to prevent henna from staining your skin during the dying process, keep reading for our complete guide. There’s no universal answer since it depends on factors like hair texture, the type and shade of dye you choose, and your regular hair treatments.

And how often can you dye it without causing damage to your hair? The answers to these questions lie in the type of hair dye you and your colorist choose. Each type has its own purpose and the best type for you depends on the results you want. If you dye your hair, using the right type will help you keep your red hair from fading and your blonde hair from turning brassy. Protect your hair from heat and use color-safe products and conditioners to keep it looking vibrant.

How to Trim Pubic Hair: Removal, Styles, More for Men and Women

Table Of Content

• Is getting a Brazilian wax awkward?
• Laser hair removal tips
• Pubic Hair Removal Cream (AKA Depilatories)
• RELATED: 8 Women Share the Most Offensive Remarks Guys Have Made About Their Pubic Hair
• Is it a good idea to shave off your pubes?

The final important piece of context when cracking the mystery of pubic hair hearkens back to the title of Morris' book — that we are primates. If you have a tattoo, waxing can actually help exfoliate the area and make your ink appear more prominent. You may want to check with your doctor if you’re in the last trimester.

Is getting a Brazilian wax awkward?

It also has to be ripped off just right to get all of the hair. In these cases, shaving could improve a person’s quality of life — but this is still up to the discretion of the individual. Each individual — you included — is created as a uniquely whole being from birth. So any form of body maintenance or modification is at your sole discretion.

Utah 'Karen', 48, is charged with sexual battery 'for yanking down 19 year-old girl's skirt in steakhouse afte - Daily Mail

Utah 'Karen', 48, is charged with sexual battery 'for yanking down 19 year-old girl's skirt in steakhouse afte.

Posted: Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:51:47 GMT [source]

Laser hair removal tips

However, an intricate pubic hair shape can be a bit tricky, with many precise lines and sharp corners. Thankfully, there are at-home stencils you can use to achieve a plethora of fun designs—we like Wusteg's Pubic Hair Shaving Stencils ($8). Take your time and follow best shaving practices, or head to a licensed esthetician for help achieving your dream look. Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've likely heard of the Brazilian wax. While the style is somewhat customizable, it involves removing all the pubic hair in the genital region. However, some people also opt to remove the pubic hair in between their butt cheeks, for a fully bare look.

Pubic Hair Removal Cream (AKA Depilatories)

Radiation and chemotherapy can also lead to an uptick in skin sensitivity and dryness, so waxing may not be the most comfortable hair removal method. If you don’t keep up with a schedule, you’ll disrupt the hair growth cycle and have to start from scratch all over again. This means it may be more painful the next time you go. Of course, keep in mind that intact pubic hair isn’t a sub for proper protection when it comes to safe sex. Soften skin and expand the hair with 5 to 10 minutes in the bath or shower.

Removing your pubic hair is totally your choice, but not all methods are created equal. Some methods may increase your risk of injury and infection, and others may provide better long-term results. Speak with a professional in the hair removal field if the process makes you anxious. A qualified technician can help you determine the best course of action for your needs.

RELATED: 8 Women Share the Most Offensive Remarks Guys Have Made About Their Pubic Hair

Below, read all about some of the most popular styles and the best products to help you achieve your pubic hair goals. I don’t feel a need to aesthetically reconfigure what’s going on there through surgery in order to confirm my femininity, I already relate to my parts that same way [a cis woman does].... I don’t feel a need to surgically modify anything because I feel very comfortable with how it is. Shaving is common among dudes who manscape, but it’s also one of the most hazardous if you’re not careful. When removing hair, do it in the shower or over the toilet to make cleanup easier.

Is it a good idea to shave off your pubes?

After it dissolves the hair, you wipe away the cream and excess hair with soap and water. But just like shaving, your pubic hair will grow back in a few days. To help avoid irritation, use a shave gel or cream on wet skin and shave in the direction your hair grows. Dr. White also advises replacing your razor often, since nicks on old blades can snag and cut the skin.

Waxing and threading tips

You can shave, wax, or cut your public hair into your preferred shape and length, or leave it alone. From Hollywood waxes and vajazzles, to bleaching and piercing, there are seemingly endless ways to style the nether regions and attempt to create an idealised body image. Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to bring down swelling and benzoyl peroxide to nix bacteria, Buka recommends.

While we are born with some of these hairs as well, they do not start sprouting all over our bodies until we hit puberty. We grow hair in our underarms, on our pubic regions and (in some cases) on our limbs, torsos and faces. For such an uncomfortable subject as pubic hair, people sure are vocal about their opinions. A 2015 study found that women tend to have strong convictions regarding their partners' pubic hair. Meanwhile, pubic hair styling has grown into a genuine industry.

Don’t stay in there too long, however, or you risk dealing with pruning skin. Wash your hands with soap and water before shaving to avoid slippage. Multitasking with tools you’ve used on other parts of your body can introduce infection. Before each use, soak your implements in a disinfectant such as Barbicide for at least 10 minutes, or clean them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Still, I do feel that we are on the precipice of changing public opinion about pubic hair.

The appearance of pubic hair in both sexes is usually seen as an indication of the start of a person's puberty. There is a sexual differentiation in the amount and distribution of androgenic hair, with men tending to have more terminal hair in more areas. This includes facial hair, chest hair, abdominal hair, leg hair, arm hair, and foot hair. (See Table 1 for development of male body hair during puberty.) Women retain more of the less visible vellus hair, although leg, arm, and foot hair can be noticeable on women.

People who prefer to remove their pubic hair often cite comfort, routine, and sexual confidence as motivating factors. Resist the urge to shave or otherwise remove any stubble or errant hairs that pop up. This removal can increase the risk of ingrown hairs before your next waxing appointment. You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to your wonder wool, but keep in mind that pubic hair isn’t a reason to panic. Don’t let a partner or pal pressure you into choosing something that’s not right for you.

I was 16, so not super young, but he was maybe too old to be asking these sexual questions, he should have known better. I just lied and said “Yes” because I sensed that was the answer I was supposed to give. But the experience of shaving them was really terrible.

How to Trim Your Pubic Hair with Pictures

Table Of Content

• Infections
• How to Trim Your Pubic Hair
• How can I groom my hair down there?
• The Best Ways to Remove Your Pubic Hair
• Shaving tips

Shave all the hair that visibly sticks out of your underwear. If you’re thinking about trimming it up, you’re not alone. There’s a purpose for all the many clusters of hair that grow on our skin. But if the Illustrated Book of Sexual Records — published in 1983 by G. L. Simons — is to be believed, a young lady named Maoni Vi of Cape Town, South Africa once possessed pubic hair that dangled down to her knees. We talked to a lot of doctors, dermatologists, hair specialist, urologists, and pubic hair enthusiasts trying to find the answer.

Infections

Should Men Shave Their Pubic Hair? What Women Really Think - AskMen

Should Men Shave Their Pubic Hair? What Women Really Think.

Posted: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This makes hair lighter and eventually grows gray, both on the head and in the pubic area. Learn more about the best ways to safely remove the pubic hair here. Removing the pubic hair has some risks and potential side effects, but most are mild. Hair removal can also irritate your skin, leading to skin infections such as cellulitis and folliculitis. As mentioned above, pubic hair serves a protective function by trapping pathogens that could otherwise enter your body.

How to Trim Your Pubic Hair

Waxing is a good alternative to shaving because it typically results in less itchiness when the hair starts growing back. Before you start grooming, wash your hands and sanitize your tools. You might also want to take a quick warm bath or shower first to soften the hairs. This will keep your skin from getting irritated, especially if you’re going bare. You can also go completely bare, if that’s your choice.

How can I groom my hair down there?

Meanwhile, Pamela Jeschonek, an esthetician and the owner of Everyday Esthetics in Pittsburgh maintains that she's seeing a growing number of women go the natural route. In contrast to the bikini-clad Angelenos and big-city New Yorkers, her Pennsylvania clients are "over" the bare look. "Some ladies seem to age out of the style because they have kids and jobs, and it becomes less of a priority," she says. Visible hair appearing on the top surfaces of the feet and toes generally begins with the onset of puberty.

The genital area of males and females are first inhabited by shorter, lighter vellus hairs that are next to invisible and only begin to develop into darker, thicker pubic hair at puberty. At this time, the pituitary gland secretes gonadotropin hormones which trigger the production of testosterone in the testicles and ovaries, promoting pubic hair growth. The average ages pubic hair begins to grow in males and females are 12 and 11, respectively. However, in some females, pubic hair has been known to start growing as early as age 8. It is more hygienic not to shave it (although depilation does make pubic lice homeless). In removing their pubic hair, most women will get cuts or ingrown hairs, and some will develop inflammation of the hair follicles or hyperpigmentation.

No wonder we’re confused on which way is really best for us. From the moment we sprout our first wiry hairs, we’re conditioned to think they should be trimmed or yanked. Just look at all the advertisements, gadgets, and methods out there for wrangling pubes.

Watch Articles

It is sometimes referred to as "pubic topiary".[34][35][36] Sugaring, an alternative to waxing, uses a sugar-based paste, which may include lemon, rather than wax. Sugaring removes fewer skin cells than waxing.[37] Other methods of hair removal include laser hair removal and electrolysis. During electrolysis, a fine needle injects an electric current into each hair follicle. This damages the follicle and prevents future hair growth. Since hair grows in cycles, you'll be hair-free after several sessions. Electrolysis works on all hair types and may be a better alternative to laser hair removal for light-colored pubic hair.

Shaving tips

I don’t think it’s that visible, but there’s still one spot that’s constantly free of hair. If you pull out a hair enough times, it just won’t grow back. [One time at school], this one boy unsolicitedly told me shaved his balls and asked me if I shaved my pubes.

So, with the help of the PureWow team, I put together a questionnaire (anonymous, of course) and asked 100 women to tell me about their hair down there. Turns out, I’m not the only one who’s curious—nor am I the only one with strong feelings on the subject. Ancient Egyptians considered body hair uncivilized and a mark of lower class status. Early civilizations also believed lice and parasites traveled in body hair, which contributed to the removal of all body hair. The smoother and more hairless the skin, the more modern and perfect that person appeared. 9.6% of respondents prefer this look on their sexual partner, another reason being that the hair doesn’t rub painfully during sex.

We still don’t know exactly how pheromones influence sexuality. In addition, hair follicles produce sebum, an oil which actually prevents bacteria from reproducing. "Humans perceive shaved pubic hair as more clean than genitalia with pubic hair, which goes against the biological explanation of pubic hair functioning." L'Origine du monde (1866), by the French artist Gustave Courbet, was controversial for its realism, which pushed the limits of what was considered presentable at the time.

It was painful, I got razor burn, it was stubbly — even from the moment I stepped out of the shower, it didn’t feel good, so I just let them grow back in, and that was an awkward process. I’m a queer person who has dated men, [and] I’ve really only had one partner that’s ever really commented on [my pubic hair].... It was one of the first times we were hanging out, and I didn’t tell [him] beforehand [that I let it grow] because I don’t really think it’s a big deal. One thing is for certain – the struggle against ingrown hairs is real for those who shave, wax and pluck. If you experience any irritation, then best to leave your nethers alone.

Most of them had no idea, and a few had educated guesses. With that said, science is divided when it comes to pheromones. There’s debate over what they really are or do, and there’s also no conclusive evidence that they even exist in humans. Plucking or epilation removes the hair from its root beneath the surface of the skin. Pumice, tweezers, and a special depilatory cream consisting of resin, goat bile, viper venom powder, and bat blood were used to achieve smoothness. Pubic hair trimming was not in fashion in Europe until the late 1900s.

The primary benefit of pubic hair is its ability to reduce friction during sexual intercourse. There are some things you can do to reduce your risk of an injury or infection during and after grooming your pubes. For others, partner preferences drive their grooming habits. On the other hand, among people assigned male at birth, a lack of hair in the pubic region can be a sign of low testosterone production. For instance, among adults assigned female at birth, excessive pubic hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It’s an obvious physical sign of sexual maturity — and consequently, one’s ability to reproduce.

In short, nearly the same percentage of women who said they considered their partner’s opinions on the matter also reported that their partner’s opinions weren’t important. How exactly can we reconcile these two conflicting pieces of data? I see it as a sign that women are becoming more comfortable with talking the talk (i.e., calling out unrealistic standards), even if they aren’t necessarily willing to walk the walk (i.e., rocking a ‘70s bush). While there are some purported benefits and noted risks to grooming or not grooming pubic hair, ultimately, how you attend to your pubic region is up to you. "Whether one chooses to shave or not should be a personal decision," says Dr. Shepherd.

However, some women will grow darker, longer hair in one or more of these regions. I like my hair to be short because I think the sensation is better. But I’m not interested in having no hair, I don’t think, and waxing just feels like an appointment to make and a thing to do, and I’m just not going to do it. [I’ve waxed before] just once to see [what it was like], and I liked having the skin-on-skin sensation, but it’s not a thing I’m going to do.