How to Shave Pubic Hair for a Smooth, Bump-Free Finish

Need some guidance on how to shave pubic hair? We've got you covered. Ahead, we've tapped the pros—ranging from a dermatologist to a vaginal health expert and the owners of a laser-hair-removal spa—to answer all the questions you've wanted to ask, but felt too shy to say out loud. From how to prep for a shave to how to treat the pubic area afterwards, all your questions about how to shave women's pubic hair are hereby answered.

What You Need

• Comb and scissors or clippers
• New pivoting razor with multiple blades
• Shaving cream or gel
• Shaving brush (optional)
• Light, unscented moisturizer

What works for one person doesn't always work for another here. If you have long pubic hair, you're going to want to start out with a comb and scissors. If you're transitioning from waxing to shaving, the comb and scissors aren't necessary. What we do recommend for any hair length, however, is to keep your pubic area moisturized. We like Quim's Happy Clam Everyday Oil ($48).

Putting cheap things near your pelvic region is rarely a good idea; it's an easy way to get hurt in an area where it's particularly painful. Instead, opt for a razor with safety features from Billie. If you get your razors from an online subscription service or websites like the Dollar Shave Club, you'll absolutely get a better product for the cost. Razors have come a long way, and replacements are less expensive than they used to be. "I recommend having a separate single or dual-blade razor for the pubic area only that’s sharp and not used on other areas like the legs," says dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi.

Choosing a Razor and Shaving Cream

"When it comes to razors, it is important to change the blade often to avoid a dull razor which can lead to irritation or razor bumps," notes dermatologist Marisa Garshick. "If prone to razor burns, it is especially important to use a sharp razor that will get the job done in the fewest number of strokes possible. The more blades the razor has does not always mean the razor is better. When people are prone to razor burns, increasing the number of blades can lead to more friction and more chances of irritation. It is also important to clean the blades frequently to help remove buildup." Our favorite razors include Billie, Joy, and Flamingo.

For shaving cream, the key factor you'll want to look for is a formula that's made for use everywhere, including your most delicate areas. Garshick recommends Eos Shea Butter Sensitive Skin Shave Cream ($5). "This calming shaving cream contains a combination of shea oil and shea butter to help moisturize, providing long-lasting hydration as well as colloidal oatmeal which can help soothe the skin. It was shown to be safe to use even in delicate areas."

How to Shave Pubic Hair

Start by Trimming Longer Hairs

"Pubic skin is thinner and more delicate so it’s prone to irritation and ingrown hairs. The hairs also tend to be more coarse," say Shirazi. "Before shaving, it’s important to trim the hairs with scissors or a trimmer if your pubic hair is a bit long as the excess hair can interfere with the razor’s effectiveness by clogging and dulling the blades." We told you those scissors would come in handy.

Take a Warm Shower or Bath

Yes, we've all fallen victim to the urgent, I-was't-planning-on-going-out-tonight, dry shave. And likely you already know how bad of an idea that is. "Never. Shave. Dry." warns vaginal health expert Lindsay Wynn. "Unless you want a raging rash of razor burn, shave your pubic hair at the end of your shower or bath, once your hair follicles will have had a chance to thoroughly soften."

"It’s best to wet the hairs and skin prior to the start of shaving," echoes Shirazi. "I tell my patients to wait until the end of your shower to shave the pubic area to get the best results. This way the skin is clean, you are allowing the water and steam some time to soften the hair and skin."

"Prior to shaving, it is best to wash using a gentle cleanser such as Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash ($10) or Cetaphil Daily Cleanser ($11) to help wash away the dirt but also the water helps to soften the hairs and reduce the friction between the blade and the skin," adds Garshick.

Exfoliate

If you've done your due diligence and exfoliated prior to the occasion, you can likely skip this step. But it's always a good idea to gently buff away any dead skin cells that may interfere with the blades' direct access to the base of the hair.

Apply Shaving Cream or Gel

"It’s best to first apply a shaving cream with nourishing ingredients to reduce the friction between the thin delicate skin and the sharp razor blade," notes Shirazi. According to Garshick, this will also help reduce the potential for irritation and, you guessed it, ingrowns. If you have a shaving brush, work the product with the brush in circles to help lift the hair so you get a closer shave.

Hot tip: Lola Arnao, a sustainable skincare brand based in Oregon, offers a Silky Skin Ritual Set ($59), which comes with a bamboo-handled shave brush as well as a shave bar and a solid lotion bar.

Use a Fresh Razor

First, grab a fresh blade. Reusing razors, especially ones stored in the shower, will increase the risk of irritation due to the dullness of the blade and the accumulation of bacteria from the humid environment.

Use Short Strokes to Shave

"You want to place some traction on the skin to make it taut and use single short strokes with your razor," explains Shirazi. For a close shave, rinse the blades with water after each stroke to avoid clogs. "Apply light pressure and avoid going over the same area multiple times. First, go in the same direction of hair growth and then in the opposite direction," adds Shirazi. This alternating method will help reduce ingrown hairs but, ultimately, shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth will provide the closest shave.

Dry the Skin

Rinse the skin thoroughly and lightly pat dry with a soft towel. "Avoid rubbing," says Shirazi, as this can further irritate the skin.

What Not to Do

• Never, ever dry shave. This is very important and can cause extreme irritation to the skin. Always use a clean razor and make sure to dampen the area. 
• While using soap is fine for hygiene purposes, it typically does not provide enough. moisture or glide for a shave. Instead, use shaving creams or other lather products that work well with a razor and won’t further breakouts or cuts to the skin

The Best Aftercare Practices

Moisturize

"While the skin is damp apply a nourishing moisturizing cream and avoid oils as they can clog pores," explains Shirazi. A light, preferably unscented product is the best choice. Garshick recommends a gentle moisturizer like Cerave's Moisturizing Cream ($12) or La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Balm ($16) to help keep the skin soft and restore the skin barrier. "Be sure any products are non-comedogenic or oil-free to prevent clogged pores from developing if you are sensitive to bumps," she adds. "You may want to avoid any harsh active ingredients immediately after shaving as it can burn or sting if there are any microscopic cuts or microinjury to the skin. That said, if you are prone to irritation, your dermatologist may recommend a specific prescription lotion or medication to apply after shaving." 

Wynn suggests Momotaro's Tonic ($45), which is pH-balanced. "You can apply the tonic as needed between shaves to keep skin moisturized and alleviate any itching or irritation as hair grows back," she explains.

Use a Medicated Cream

"If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts then use a medicated cream like SootheHC with aloe to calm inflammation and reduce breakouts," advises Shirazi. "You may apply it three times a day for three days."

We also suggest Fur's Ingrown Concentrate ($32) to help with bumps, redness, and ingrown hairs.

Practice Patience

"Although it may be tempting to shave every day, shaving every day can actually be more irritating to the skin and it is best to give the skin some time to recover," says Garshick. "That said, there’s no specific rule on how often to shave as everyone’s hair growth can vary, though every few days is reasonable."

The Final Takeaway

Yes, shaving pubic hair is a time-consuming task. But if it's done correctly, you can maximize the time between shaves. Just remember to keep all products on the outside of your body only and avoid shaving during your period, as skin may be more sensitive. If you're daring, you can even create pubic hair designs at home. Finally, shaving can only remove hair that's even with the skin. Waxing will remove hair from the root and keep it away for weeks at a time. In this case, you may want to consider a Brazilian wax.