When it comes to how to shave down there it can be a bit of a minefield. Should you shave? Should you trim? And what manscaping styles are most popular?
With so many questions to answer, intimate shaving can quickly become a chore. But luckily for you, we are here to help. Whether you just want to know how to shave pubic hair or you’re interested in trying out a new style - read on to up your grooming game.
What is Intimate Grooming?
Intimate grooming is the removal of pubic hair. Popular methods include trimming or shaving, with a 2017 survey reporting that around 50% of men groom their pubic area.
The Best Way To Shave Pubic Hair
As with other areas of your body, intimate grooming depends on your preferences. Some guys prefer a clean shave, others an all-over trim - and some guys prefer a mix of the two.
For example, according to a survey by AYTM, 45.75% of men prefer a clean shave above the penis while 47.25% trim the area, leaving most of the hair. If and how you choose to manscape is ultimately up to you.
If you are interested in shaving your pubic hair, our step-by-step guide will ensure you achieve a smooth and flattering finish:
Step 1: Trimming Pubes
The first step in any successful manscaping is trimming. The longer your hair, the more likely it is to get caught in your razor, no matter how sharp the blades are.
The best way to trim pubic hair is to use a trimmer to carefully groom your pubes until they are of a length that is easy to shave without discomfort. The Gillette Intimate Pubic Hair Trimmer has been designed with your comfort in mind helping to protect against snags, cuts, and shaving irritation.
Equipped with three combs for different hair lengths. If you’ve never trimmed before, start with the longest length. You can also opt to use the SkinFirstTM Protective Comb for a gentle trim on delicate areas like the scrotum. This is best done on dry hair, so begin this step before getting in the shower.
Step 2: Pubic Shaving Prep
Now that you are freshly trimmed, it’s time to further prep your hair. A warm shower or bath softens coarse pubic hair, allowing for an easy shave. Pubic hair is wirier than other body hair, so you’ll need to shower or bathe for around five minutes to soften it as much as possible before you tackle it. Softening your pubic hair will help to reduce the chance of nicks and cuts in this extremely sensitive area.
Showering also cleanses the skin before a razor makes contact. Cleaning both your skin and your shaving tools helps to prevent folliculitis – which can be common – and is caused by bacteria or fungi getting into the hair gland, leading bumps to appear on the skin.
Our Gillette Intimate Pubic Shave Cream + Cleanser has been specially formulated for sensitive areas, helping to gently cleanse your hair and skin to provide a clean surface area for your blade, minimising the risk of ingrown hairs. A two-in-one, this cleanser also doubles as a shaving cream, so simply reapply to form a protective lather and you’re ready to begin.
Step 3: Pubic Shaving
Prior to starting your shave, it is crucial that you are using a fresh blade and a razor specifically for shaving your intimate region. This reduces the risk of nicks and cuts, giving you the best chance of a pleasant grooming experience.
Our top choice for the job would be our Gillette Intimate Pubic Hair Razor. Designed with intimate shaving in mind, it is perfect for those hard-to-reach areas. Five anti-friction blades, FlexBall technology and a specifically designed handle allow for a comfortable and controlled shave by adapting to the contours of your body.
To start, create an even surface by pulling your groin skin taut with one hand and using short slow strokes - shaving with the grain - to create your desired style. Make sure to rinse the blade every two to three strokes to clean it of excess shaving cream and hair.
TOP TIP: Do not tap your razor against the sink or wipe against a towel; these habits can reduce the life of the razor by affecting the intricate design of the blade components.
Once happy with your grooming, wash the area with cold water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 4: Intimate Shaving Aftercare
A post-shave routine is key to any successful shave - even when manscaping. The less hair you have, the greater the friction you will likely experience during physical exercise and when rubbing against clothing.
Our solution to this is moisturiser. Helping to protect against uncomfortable friction, applying a dye and alcohol-free moisturiser also nourishes your pubic area for long-lasting hydration.
This sensitive area will need time to recover between shaves, so make sure you space them apart by at least a few days.
3 Popular Manscaping Styles
The following are some popular manscaping styles. Remember there is no wrong way to groom, and these are just ideas to use as inspiration.
1. Briefs
If your main concern is keeping your pubic hair neat and tidy so they don’t stick out of your clothing, then this is the intimate grooming style for you. Just shave all the pubic hair outside of your underwear.
2. Trimmed
This low-maintenance option utilises a pubic hair trimmer like our Gillette Intimate Pubic Hair Trimmer to keep hairs short and tidy. Use one of the three different skin shield guards to trim to your preferred length.
3. Brazilian
This is the full monty. If you don’t want any hair down there, then the Brazilian is for you.
TOP TIP: Make sure you are liberal with moisturiser as this manscaping style is especially prone to skin irritation.
You can also try different combinations of shaving and trimming. For example, some men like to trim the hair above the penis and shave everything below. Some like to do it the other way around - there is no wrong answer!
Congratulations! You’ve just mastered manscaping 101. Take your expertise in intimate grooming up a notch with our guide to shaving your balls for an even smoother experience.
For further manscaping and grooming ideas visit our blog.
