8 Reasons Why You Should Shave Your Pubic Hair

There are real reasons men shave their pubic hair: confidence, comfort, and reduced odor among them. Most who try it don't go back. But there are downsides worth knowing, and a few techniques that separate a clean result from a week of razor burn.

Is Shaving Your Pubic Hair Worth It for Men?

Grooming below the belt has been around far longer than your local pharmacy. Ancient Egyptians removed pubic hair using copper razors and hot sugar solutions thousands of years ago.And today, more than half of U.S. men regularly groom their pubic hair, with hygiene and partner preference among the top motivations.

Whether it's worth it for you largely comes down to personal preference. The reasons and trade-offs below can help you decide.

8 Reasons to Shave Your Pubic Hair

Here's what men consistently report as the biggest reasons they started (and kept) grooming down there:

1. Better Hygiene, Less Trapped Sweat

Hair traps sweat and moisture against your skin, which makes it harder for soap and water to reach and clean the area properly. Removing it exposes your skin directly, so a normal shower does more of the work for you.

2. Fewer Odor-Causing Bacteria

Sweat on its own doesn't smell; bacteria breaking it down does. Your groin is one of the spots on your body where that bacteria has the most to work with, since it's an area with both hair and sweat glands built for it. 

Less hair gives odor-causing bacteria less surface area to build up on.

3. Cooler and More Comfortable in Heat or During Workouts

Body hair holds heat close to your skin. On a hot day or during a workout, that extra layer can make you feel stickier and warmer than you need to be. Removing it helps air circulate and sweat evaporate faster.

4. Less Hair Snagging in Clothing or Gym Gear

Longer pubic hair can catch on underwear, athletic gear, or seams during movement, which gets uncomfortable fast. A trim cuts down on the tugging and pulling that comes with tighter clothing, and it's one of the more practical reasons active guys give this a try in the first place.

5. A Cleaner, More Confident Look

A tidy, well-maintained look can be part of feeling good in your own skin, the same way a fresh haircut or a clean shave on your face can shift how you carry yourself. It's a small change that a lot of guys notice.

6. A Smoother Self-Care Routine

The same basics that make shaving your body comfortably elsewhere (clean blades, good lubrication) apply here too. Once hair's out of the way, products like exfoliating scrubs or moisturizers reach your skin more evenly instead of getting caught in hair.

7. Faster, Lower-Maintenance Grooming

Modern electric shavers can knock out a full shave in a few minutes instead of the slower process a manual razor demands. Picking between a foil or rotary head comes down to your skin and hair type, but either one speeds up the routine enough to make it easier to stick with.

8. Increased Sensitivity During Sex

Some research suggests that men who groom down there report greater sensitivity during sex because skin-to-skin contact increases (though researchers note the relationship may be as much psychological as physical). It's also one of the top reasons men who groom cite, alongside cleanliness and comfort.

What About the Downsides of Shaving Pubic Hair?

Shaving pubic hair comes with real downsides, especially when the technique is poor. The most common ones include:

• Ingrown hairs — hair curls back under the skin instead of growing out cleanly, causing bumps and irritation.
• Razor burn — redness and inflammation from shaving dry or moving too fast.
• Nicks and cuts — the skin here is more sensitive than on your face.
• Folliculitis — infected follicles from bacteria entering small cuts; can resemble acne in the pubic area.
• Ongoing maintenance — hair grows back within days to a week, so the routine needs consistency.

The risks are largely preventable. If regular shaving feels like a burden, trimming to a shorter length may suit you better than going clean.

Shaving vs. Trimming Pubic Hair: Which Is Better?

Both get the job done, but they come with different trade-offs.

If irritation is a bigger concern for you than closeness, trimming is the safer starting point, and it's also recommended if you want to avoid skin irritation altogether.

How to Avoid the Most Common Problems When Shaving "Down There"

Whichever method you pick, a few habits make a real difference in how your skin reacts afterward.

1. Trim long hair first. Cutting hair down with scissors or a trimmer before shaving reduces clogging and drag on the blade.
2. Shave with the grain. Going against the direction of hair growth is a common cause of razor bumps, according to dermatologists.
3. Use the right tool for the job. A dull or dirty blade tugs at hair instead of cutting it cleanly, which raises your irritation risk. Choosing a shaver built for this kind of grooming helps — the BaldiePro™ Kit, for example, comes with swappable attachments like a precision hair trimmer and a rotary head, and it holds up just as well "down under" as it does anywhere else.
4. Prep and moisturize. Warm water softens hair before you shave, and a fragrance-free moisturizer afterward calms the skin and cuts down on next-day irritation.
5. Learn the safe technique. This area has more curves and sensitive skin than most, so taking the time to trim and shave it safely goes a long way toward avoiding cuts and nicks.

If breakouts tend to follow your shave, it helps to understand why electric razors sometimes cause them and how to stop them before it starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shaving Pubic Hair Reduce Odor?

It can help. Removing hair reduces the surface area where sweat and bacteria collect, which is what typically causes odor in the first place. It's not a guarantee, though, as regular washing still matters more than hair length.

How Often Should You Shave Pubic Hair?

Most men who shave this area do it every three to five days, depending on how fast their hair grows and how smooth they want to stay. Trimming instead stretches that out to every one to two weeks, since it doesn't cut hair as close to the skin.

Does Pubic Hair Grow Back Thicker After Shaving?

No — this is one of the most persistent grooming myths. Shaving cuts hair at the surface, not the follicle, so it doesn't affect growth rate or thickness. Freshly shaved hair has a blunt tip instead of a tapered one, which makes regrowth feel coarser. The hair isn't thicker or darker, it just feels that way.

Most Men Who Start Don't Go Back

Whether you're after better hygiene or just a cleaner look, removing your pubic hair is a low-cost habit a lot of men stick with once they've got the technique down. Trimming first and shaving with the grain go a long way toward comfort. Moisturizing afterward closes the loop.

Since the BaldiePro™ Kit already comes with the trimmer and rotary attachments mentioned above, you don't need to buy anything extra to get started — down under or anywhere else.

References:

1. Gaither, T.W., Awad, M.A., Osterberg, E.C., Rowen, T.S., Shindel, A.W., Breyer, B.N. (2017): Prevalence and Motivation: Pubic Hair Grooming Among Men in the United States. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5675231/
2. Mayo Clinic (2025): Sweating and Body Odor — Symptoms & Causes. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sweating-and-body-odor/symptoms-causes/syc-20353895
3. Ramsey, S., Sweeney, C., Fraser, M., Oades, G. (2009): Pubic Hair and Sexuality: A Review. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453886/
4. American Academy of Dermatology Association (2022): 6 Razor Bump Prevention Tips from Dermatologists. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/razor-bump-prevention