If we’re being honest, pubic hair has been villainised for far too long. From airbrushed magazine spreads to Bollywood songs that treat “silky smooth skin” like a moral virtue, we’ve been told that the “ideal” body is the one without a single strand of hair. But here’s the thing: your pubes aren’t a bug, they’re a feature. It’s just hair unfairly dragged into beauty politics for decades.

If you’ve ever panicked before a hookup or felt embarrassed in a salon while whispering, “Bikini wax, full?”, you’re not alone. Most of us grew up in a world that equated “clean” with “hairless.” But it’s time to talk about what pubes really are, what they do, and why it’s completely fine (and normal) no matter how you keep them.

Why Do We Even Have Hair Down There?

Pubic hair exists for a reason. It protects the skin from friction during sex or movement, helps regulate temperature, and even acts as a barrier against bacteria. Think of it as nature’s own soft guardrail, NOT a design flaw.

Historically, humans evolved to keep hair in areas where we sweat the most, which is why armpits and groins got the memo. So technically, your pubes are functional, not ornamental.

It’s Not About Bare vs Bushy. It’s About Hygiene.

Here’s the truth: having pubic hair doesn’t make you unhygienic. Not cleaning properly does. The myth that “hair traps dirt” is half-baked. Sweat and discharge don’t cling to your pubes any more than they do to your scalp hair.

So whether you’re rocking a full bush, a neat trim, or a waxed wonder, hygiene comes down to how you wash, not how you shave. Gentle soap (fragrance-free, please), warm water, and breathable underwear will do more for your vaginal health than any razor ever could.

How India Made Hair a Scandal

We’ve all seen it growing up. Fairness cream ads, wax strips commercials, and influencers preaching “smooth confidence.” Here, body hair is treated like an emergency: something to hide, remove, or apologise for. Girls are handed razors before they even get their periods, because “it doesn’t look nice.”

And the irony? The same society that shames women for having body hair also sexualises youth. The “bare” look gets equated with desirability. It’s the double bind of patriarchy and purity culture: be sexy, but not too adult; be clean, but not natural.

From cousins warning you about “dirty” armpits to partners hinting that they “prefer smooth,” Indian women carry years of grooming guilt for something that literally grows naturally.

That Sassy Reminder: Cleanliness isn’t about being hairless. It’s about being comfortable in your skin.

Want to Trim or Shave? Here’s How to Do It Right

Pros of Grooming:

• Some people feel more comfortable or confident when trimmed.

• Can make oral sex or sensation feel different (not necessarily better, just different).

• Easy maintenance if you like a specific aesthetic.

Cons of Grooming:

• Shaving can cause irritation, ingrown hairs, or tiny cuts (that can get infected).

• Waxing pulls the hair from the root, which can be painful and occasionally lead to infection if not done hygienically.

• Constant removal can make the skin extra sensitive or discoloured.

Tips if You’re Going for It:

• Always use clean razors or sanitized wax tools.

• Shave with the grain, not against.

• Avoid doing it right before or after sex to prevent microtears and discomfort.

• Moisturize with an unscented, soothing lotion or aloe gel afterward.
  
  

Don’t Want to Remove It? That’s Sexy Too

Yes, you read that right. “Natural” is not a rebellion; it’s just another option. Plenty of women feel more comfortable with their natural hair, and plenty of partners love it too.

One Reddit user said, “My girlfriend doesn’t shave, and honestly, it’s kind of hot. It feels real and intimate, not like porn.” 

Another woman wrote about how keeping her bush helped her feel grounded: “For years I waxed because I thought I had to. Now I feel more like myself… wild, confident, unbothered.”

If you like being smooth, go for it. If you like keeping it fuzzy, own it. The point is that your pubes don’t need to perform for anyone.

Pop Culture’s Hairy Hypocrisy

Pop culture rarely shows women with body hair unless it’s the butt of a joke. But slowly, things are changing. 

In the French film I Am Not an Easy Man (2018), gender roles are flipped: women rule the world, and men get judged for having body hair. Suddenly, the “rugged” look isn’t hot anymore, it’s “dirty” and “unprofessional.” Watching men get policed for stubble is both hilarious and eye-opening.

Shows like Sex Education also deserve a shoutout: they’ve finally shown vulvas, pubes, and bodies that actually look like real people. Even celebs like Florence Pugh and Julia Roberts rocking visible body hair on red carpets have helped normalise it. It’s a slow shift, but it’s happening: hair is no longer the villain, shame is.

Meanwhile, in desi media, the revolution is quieter but coming. Indie creators and feminist comics have started making space for the unfiltered female body, showing hair, stretch marks, and all. And it’s about damn time.

Conclusion: Your Body, Your Bush, Your Business

Whether you wax, trim, or let it grow into a glorious jungle, what matters is choice. Pubic hair doesn’t define your cleanliness, femininity, or desirability. We’ve spent too long trying to be “smooth” versions of ourselves. Maybe the real glow-up is being comfortable in our natural texture, wherever it grows.

So next time you’re tempted to apologise at the salon or to a partner, remember this: hair grows where it’s supposed to. And there’s nothing “unclean” about being human.

Whether you’re a wax warrior or a bush queen, your pubes don’t need permission, just care.”

Whether you let it grow or keep things smooth, finding what feels good matters most. Explore our guides on vibrators, sex toys, and lubes for more ways to enjoy your body—your pleasure, your rules

About the Author

Madhu (she/her) has been an avid reader of all things spicy since her childhood. She writes sassy blog posts and listicles now so that others may benefit from her wholly inappropriate, wholly informative tastes, too.