How to deal with coarse pubic hair?

[u/Beneficial_Ad_1116]

My pubic hair is thick and straight so when I don't shave it, it gets pretty long. The problem, though, is that my pubic hair is basically parallel to my skin. When I do shave it, there's still stubble. When I shave against the grain suddenly I'm bleeding all over the place. And then the next day I get itchy ingrowns and my hair has grown back anyways. Call me crazy but at that point I just start plucking them with a tweezer.

I've also gotten many cysts on my mons pubis and sometimes on my labia. I don't know if it's because of the hair. Usually I don't shave at all but I wanted to see what I looked like down there without hair lol. Also the hair on my labia is curly but anywhere else it's straight.

I can't afford to get a brazillian wax or get sugaring done because I'm still a student. Should I just give up and trim for the rest of my life?

[u/But_I_Digress_]

Yes, get a bikini trimmer! That, or shave with the grain. Your skin is telling you very clearly that going bald down there is not an option for you at this time.

[u/bigsmoove_3]

If you want to shave, shave with pubic hair clippers. That way it’s not too close and won’t give you hair bumps. Look up pubic hair clippers on Amazon. They are waterproof and work great for my wife. Hope this helps.

[u/dreamofpluto → u/bigsmoove_3]

I second this. But if you get men’s facial clippers (like Gillette fusion men’s precision) it will be cheaper!

[u/twopointsisatrend → u/dreamofpluto]

A similar men's product that's cheaper than the women's version? Surprised Pikachu face.

[u/Astramentis_ → u/twopointsisatrend]

I got a manscapped. Cheaper and works amazing. Plus has a "ball" trimmer that works great for sensitive areas!

[u/imsadandthatsrad]

Sounds like your pubes may be like mine, I personally use a small little electric razor and I just trim leaving like a centimeter, I never go bare, because 24 hours later, even if I don’t get ingrown hairs or razor burn, it feels like sandpaper. It’s nice and smooth for a moment before it’s uncomfortable growing it back and it has chafed sexual partners from friction. Just trim it if this is you, no big deal. I knew a girl who could shave her pubes DRY WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR and got ZERO razor burn, some girls have industrial skin, mine is super super sensitive so going bald isn’t for me

[u/Beneficial_Ad_1116 → u/imsadandthatsrad]

When I try to trim it shorter, my hair starts sticking out of my underwear like a beard haha. I think mine looks better with hair anyway. 🥲

[u/GraziTheMan → u/Beneficial_Ad_1116]

You may or may not be surprised by how many people feel the same way lately!

[u/CozyLeda → u/imsadandthatsrad]

XD “industrial skin”

[u/ZweitenMal]

There's no reason to remove it if you don't want to. Use conditioner on it and if you want to keep it shortened, use a personal trimmer with a guard set at 1/4 inch or more.

[u/Ishinehappiness]

Nair, it removes the hair from the base so you don’t have it sticking out. They make some for the bikini area. I have sensitive skin and have had absolutely no issues with using it. If you’re able to shave it comfortably it’s worth a shot!

[u/AnomalousPhenomenon → u/Ishinehappiness]

If anyone here decides to try Nair for the first time, do be very careful! Do a test patch first and don't leave the stuff on very long. I tried Nair and it gave me the WORST red bumpy itchy rash down there for days >.<

[u/Winter-Ad-5387]

I’ve just started shaving and I followed a YouTube video tutorial that helped me!

1. Buy a razor that’s specific for women’s pubic hair. When you shave do small strokes don’t shave like you’re shaving your legs. It’s okay to do small shaves and be slow, patient, and gentle.
2. Buy a shaving gel/cream specific for pubic hair shaving. Make sure to keep reapplying as you shave if you’re needing to shave over the same spot again.
3. When you shave, always shave with the grain. I never shave against the grain (I also shave twice a week, yes it does grow back with a little stubble, but it’s not obnoxious or irritating, I try not to let it grow too much otherwise I might dull the blade with longer hair)
4. After you shave use an after shave to prevent ingrown hairs - I use megababe roll on. It does burn a little (it goes away fast) but it’s because it has alcohol in it which is perfectly fine (when you get blood draws done the nurse uses an alcohol swab to clean the area, so really it’s to disinfect and clean). I use it the day I shave and then the next day.
5. Make sure you’re also exfoliating! I try to exfoliate once a week
6. You can also use vitamin e oil

I don’t have any ingrown hairs using this strategy

[u/Beneficial_Ad_1116 → u/Winter-Ad-5387]

What kind of exfoliator do you use? I'm a bit hesitant on using them down there because I know they can cause little tears and cuts on your skin.

[u/Winter-Ad-5387 → u/Beneficial_Ad_1116]

I just use a cloth one I bought from Walmart. It has a mesh side and a cloth side. You could even buy a baby cloth and use that as an exfoliator if you want a safe alternative! I lather it with soap.

[u/The31Readers]

My pubic hair is just how you’ve described and I’ve just trimmed it once a month for the last decade. Sometimes I’ll deep condition it when it’s getting longer and I don’t feel like trimming it.

I also use apricot oil on my body after I shower but before I dry off, and always put some on my pubes to keep them softer.

[u/Forsaken-Pollution28]

honestly i kinda like waxing. I have the same issue where shaving ALWAYS gives me razor burn (or doesn't get rid of the hair) and i really don't think waxing is any more painful. And it doesn't make me bleed or give me bumps or itchiness afterwards

you should get it done by a professional a few times so you can see how it's done, but after that you can get a wax pot and beans off amazon and just dip

[u/PlentyNectarine]

I had a similar issue and decided to start giving myself brazilian waxes at home (had never gotten waxed before). The first time was actually terrible BUT i’ve done it about 3 times now and already i’m so much happier than when I shaved. No more ingrowns, the hair doesn’t grow back as quickly, and it’s not as thick anymore either.

I just got a wax kit from amazon for about $25

[u/Disastrous_Kick9189]

Use conditioner if you want hair, wax / laser if you don’t. Shaving will always leave stubble or ingrown hairs no matter what you try. Those trimmers are fine if you like scratchy stubble lol but honestly the only reasonable answer here is to just soften the hairs with conditioner over time

[u/KelloggsFrostedFcks]

I have the exact problem and mine goes really far down my thigh. I just started wearing shorts or skirted swimming suits and gave up. 

[u/girly_pop_pop]

consider laser hair removal if possible, it's more permanent and reduces ingrowns over time. trimming's a good option too, less irritation. exfoliating gently can help prevent cysts and ingrowns. embrace what's comfortable for you.

[u/girly_pop_pop]

try using a trimmer for less irritation, or a natural exfoliant to prevent ingrowns. embracing body hair is cool too. consider consulting a dermatologist for cysts if they persist.

[u/GingerStarGalactica]

If your hair is long trim first. Use clippers with a guard like someone suggested. Then exfoliate. Get a cheap exfoliator glove. ALWAYS exfoliate, ALWAYS shave with the grain. This goes for leg hair too. Use a fresh razor. Have hot ass water to rinse your blade with. Use thick shaving cream or even conditioner. Don’t shave over razor burn and even follow up the next day with an exfoliant. All of this can be extremely inexpensive too.

[u/Jbradsen]

Trim it short and use an epilator for the stubble. It pulls it from the root and grows back finer over time. Numbing cream can be used if you’re new to an “epilator brazilian”.

[u/Waasssuuuppp]

Laser hair removal is one of the best things I've done. I got it done 15 years ago so it doesn't a top up now, but it's really just 5 hairs per armpit and maybe 20 all up on the downstairs, which I can tackle quickly with an epilator when I get enough motivation, so several times a year.

There are often bulk deals, where you purchase 5 sessions at once. On terms of a lufetimes cost of razors, as well as time, it is worth it, as long as it doesn't mean you starve for the next few months, of course.

[u/hypoxiate]

Laser removal is perfect for this, and with Groupons it's dirt cheap.

[u/Lovely-sleep]

Epilator, it may be on the level of a medieval torture device but it can prevent bleeding and bumps

Basically, machine tweezing ✨✨ one time purchase, and DIY!

[u/TooManyMeds]

I don’t remove my pubes I just trim them but you can get sugar waxing kits cheap at the shops, surely cheaper than buying razors over time.

I use the sugar wax on my armpits and brows and once you’ve watched a YouTube video and read the instructions it’s pretty idiot-proof.

Just make sure to test the wax somewhere less sensitive like the back of your hand first to make sure it’s not too hot. If it’s thick and slowly runs, it should be good. If it’s thin and runs off a stick quickly it will be too hot.

[u/Bigredzombie]

They do have a wax at home kit that works for some people. Could be worth a try but it's possible to have the same issue of allowing the hairs to grow back and form cysts. Look up at home Brazilian wax kit or wax strips for a one time use wax strip set. They are pretty cheap overall and usually do a fair job.

[u/shay_j254]

Exfoliate before you shave and then a day or 2 after you shave. Then use an after shave lotion/oil. I wax monthly and have for years. I have coarse hair as well. If I don't exfoliate I get lots of ingrowns!

[u/firefly416]

Laser hair "removal" is what I did. Hairs are now finer, grow back slower, and a lot less chance of stubble or red bumps after shaving.