Ask the Sexpert

Dear Sexpert,

I know that many women choose to shave or wax their pubic hair, and I've been considering this for a while now. My partner thinks it may bring a new level of intimacy to our relationship. What are my options, and why would people wax and not just shave? Waxing sounds really painful. Also, what different types of waxes are there, and what are the differences?

— Dare to Bare?

Dear Dare to Bare,

While it may seem that "many women" choose to shave or wax their pubic hair to some extent, this choice should not be made by your partner or some perceived social norm, but by you. After all, it is your vagina. That said, if you do choose to remove your pubic hair, there are large differences between the two options.

Shaving has the benefit of being quick, easy and relatively painless. It can be accomplished in the privacy of your own shower and requires little more than shaving cream and a sharp razor. (Make sure the razor is really sharp — a dull razor requires more pressure be applied in order to work as well, and less pressure means less chance of slipping and accidentally cutting yourself in a potentially very painful way.) On the downside, shaving can cause ingrown hairs. This can be both physically uncomfortable and a visually unattractive outcome to what was supposed to be quick and easy hair-removal. Shaved hair also grows back much faster than waxed hair.

Waxing, while also potentially quick and easy, is not often done at home, though there are products for waxing at home. People usually go to a spa or salon, which requires a monetary commitment that may seem disproportionate to the amount of hair removed. In Princeton, waxes seem to run the gamut, from $40 to $60 and up, depending on the procedure being done. There is also the issue that, while a wax will last from 4 to 6 weeks, it can be a very painful experience. For some, the results are worth the pain, but if it isn't for you, then don't feel the need to push it.

There are usually three types of waxes available: bikini, Brazilian in training ("B-I-T") or a full Brazilian. A bikini wax usually removes only the hair that would be visible outside of a person's bikini bottom. A B-I-T wax usually leaves some sort of strip on the front of the pelvis, though the width of this strip depends on the person doing the wax and the person being waxed. Finally, a Brazilian wax removes all hair from the pelvis, vaginal area and bottom.

It is important to remember that hair is there for a reason: to protect the vaginal region from potential sources of infection. So, if you decide to get a Brazilian wax, consider talking to the person doing your wax about leaving some hair in the vaginal region to continue to perform this important health function. — The Sexpert "Sexpert" is written by a team of peer sexual health educaters and fact-checked by University health professionals. You can submit questions, to be published anonymously every Thursday, to sexpert@dailyprincetonian.com. Don't be Shy!

WHERE TO GET A WAX IN PRINCETON

Cosmo Blue

- $40+ for a regular wax - $60 for a Brazilian

Blue Mercury

- $40+ for a regular wax - $55 for a Brazilian

Metropolis Spa Salon

- $35+ for a regular wax - $60 for a Brazilian