Dear Sexpert,
I have been thinking about shaving my "region," but I've never done it before, and I'm nervous. What is the best way to safely and comfortably achieve a smooth pubic area? Could you please provide detailed instructions?
— Only U Can Help
Dear OUCH,
First, a disclaimer: while pubic hair removal has become commonplace in recent years, most people still find the process to contain a small amount of pain and is known to yield sometimes imperfect results. Porn stars aside, you have to remember that for mere mortals, this is a very sensitive area and is prone to razor-rash and ingrown hairs. That said, many people, both male and female, regularly shave their "regions," attempting fashions from the Brazilian to the Bikini, without suffering undue trauma.
Shaving is the most popular method of hair removal down there; it is easy and straightforward, and everyone understands the fundamentals of shaving: a sharp, clean razor and lubricated skin in the area you're daring to bare. For lubrication, shaving creams, gels, lotions or good ol' soap and water, well lathered, should do the trick.
Before you get started, however, you must make a crucial choice: do you shave with or against the direction hair grows? While some people prefer to shave against the direction the hair grows in order to get a closer shave, I have to advise against this approach — though perhaps a bit cleaner and more long-lasting, shaving against the flow is much more likely to lead to painful reactions. No matter how awesome you think an extra close shave will look or feel, you will think it's significantly less cool if you're covered with angry red bumps down there. Try to avoid the angry red bumps at all costs. Trust me on this one.
You should also be aware that pubic hair does not always all grow in the same direction. So when shaving, pay close attention and change direction when necessary.
Finally, if you are a virgin to pubic-shaving, or it has been a while since your last experience, carefully trim your hair with a pair of clean scissors before getting started. A razor is not meant to remove Rapunzel-like lengths!
In a nutshell, here are your marching orders:
1) Haircut time for Rapunzel. In a well-lit area, gently pull pubic hair up and carefully trim to about one fourth of an inch. Remember to think about how you are going to clean up the trimmings before starting!
2) Choose a reasonably well-lit shower, with enough room to maneuver. Choose a bathroom and time of day when you will not cause a long line as this may take some time. Take a long, hot shower to soften the hair and relax your pores. At the end of the shower, apply a generous layer of your chosen shaving aid to wherever you plan to shave.
3) Hold the skin you are shaving taut with one hand, and shave with short, smooth, gentle strokes. You do not want to apply too much pressure or shave the same area more than necessary.
4) When you are finished shaving, make sure to thoroughly cleanse your genitals, and then gently dry and moisturize with a gentle oil or lotion. You should use products which don't contain fragrance or color. Avoid getting lotion inside any orifices, as it may provide breeding grounds for bacteria.
Aftercare: If, despite following these instructions, you find the dreaded angry red bumps appearing, they will likely fade within a few days. If they are causing you a lot of discomfort, you can use an over-the-counter cortisone cream. If they do not go away or are very painful, please see a doctor as soon as possible. And, if you notice ingrown hairs, gentle exfoliation may help clear them up.
If all of this sounds a bit too technical for you, you might prefer to try waxing – it lasts longer, gives a more hairless finish, and isn't nearly as painful as it sounds...
Happy Shaving!
— The Sexpert
Dear Sexpert,
So men ejaculate when they have orgasms but lately I've been hearing that it's possible for women to ejaculate too. Is this true? How does that work? What exactly comes out? I'm assuming it's not semen...
— Curious about Cumming
Dear Curious,
To make a long story short, it is possible for women to ejaculate, though not all women do. It is believed that during female ejaculation, fluid is secreted by the Skene's glands, which are located inside the urethra and made up of the same tissue as the male prostate gland. The fluid exits through the urethra, the same place that urine comes out of. This secretion isn't urine, even though it may sound like it from the description. It's not yet firmly established what the secretion contains, but so far scientists have found glucose, fructose and the prostatic acid phosphatase, which is also found in semen.
This is about all we know about female ejaculation. The jury's still out on this one, so you'll have to wait until those sex scientists get round to doing some more research on this.
Women who experience ejaculation probably aren't too worried about the chemical components of the fluid, though — ejaculation is apparently accompanied by a very intense orgasm!
— The Sexpert
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