When Did Women Start Shaving Their Pubic Hair? A Cultural History of Bare vs. Hair
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When did women start shaving their pubic hair and why has it changed so much over time?
From Ancient Egypt’s sugaring rituals to today’s high-tech IPL treatments, the answer reflects more than just personal style. It’s a mirror of shifting beauty ideals, social norms, and even gender politics.
In this guide, we’ll trace the cultural history of female pubic grooming what sparked the bare trend, when it began, and how preferences vary across generations. Along the way, we’ll explore the rise of Brazilian waxes, the impact of porn culture, and why some women are choosing to go natural again.
Plus, we’ll share safe, modern tools like the Hair Removal Device for those exploring smoother options.
Whether you shave, trim, wax, or grow it out it’s your body, your call. But knowing the history? That’s where true empowerment begins.
Ancient Civilizations and Early Hair Removal
In Ancient Egypt, women of all classes removed body hair including pubic hair as a sign of cleanliness, status, and beauty. Tools like pumice stones, tweezers made of seashells, and sugar-based waxing pastes (early sugaring) were widely used. Historical records show that female hairlessness was associated with both spiritual purity and elite grooming standards.
In Ancient Greece and Rome, smooth skin was idealized in statues and literature. Women burned or plucked pubic hair using resin, scrapers, and bronze razors. In some cases, body hair was seen as a sign of barbarism or foreignness, prompting Roman women to adopt regular grooming routines.
These ancient practices weren’t just cosmetic they reflected deeper beliefs about hygiene, femininity, and status. Even temple priestesses and royalty engaged in hair removal as part of ritual preparation.
Today’s grooming choices may seem modern, but they echo a long lineage of body care rituals driven by culture and personal agency.
The Middle Ages to Victorian Modesty
After the openness of antiquity, the Middle Ages ushered in a more conservative view of the body including pubic hair.
In medieval Europe, the body was seen as sinful or shameful, particularly female anatomy. Modesty was prioritized, and grooming below the waist was rarely discussed, let alone practiced publicly.
Though some women likely continued discreet hair removal for hygiene or comfort, societal attitudes made such practices taboo. Documentation from this era is sparse, but depictions of nude bodies in art became rare, reflecting the cultural discomfort with physicality.
By the Victorian era, modesty became institutionalized. Layers of clothing and moral codes reinforced the belief that women should appear untouched, both sexually and physically. Grooming if done was strictly private, and pubic hair was rarely referenced in any medical or social literature.
This cultural silence around the body reinforced a stigma that still lingers today. Understanding this repression helps explain why many women now see grooming as an act of reclaiming agency, not just aesthetics.
20th Century Shifts: From Pin-Up Girls to Porn
In the 1920s, the rise of flapper fashion with higher hemlines and sheer lingerie sparked more attention to body grooming. While full pubic hair was still common, many women began trimming to fit new underwear styles. By the 1940s–50s, Hollywood pin-up culture encouraged smoother, more “tidy” grooming, though full shaving was rare.
The 1960s–70s saw a dramatic shift. The sexual revolution and feminist movement led many women to embrace natural body hair as a political statement. The “full bush” became a symbol of body autonomy and rebellion against beauty norms.
Then came the 1980s–90s: the age of bikinis, Playboy, and porn's mainstream crossover. The Brazilian wax was introduced in NYC in 1987, and within a decade, it became a widespread trend. By the early 2000s, complete hair removal became the norm in adult media and influenced personal grooming worldwide.
Each decade brought new expectations shaped by fashion, media, and evolving conversations around sexuality. From rebellion to conformity, pubic grooming choices became increasingly tied to self-expression and identity.
In short, the 20th century turned grooming into a personal, political, and cultural statement.
Modern Trends and the Rise of Bare
By the 2000s, fully shaved or nearly bare styles became the new default thanks in part to porn, glossy magazine spreads, and celebrity endorsements of Brazilian waxing.
Hairlessness was suddenly linked with youth, hygiene, and desirability. A 2016 JAMA Dermatology study found over 80% of U.S. women under 35 groomed their pubic hair, with nearly half opting for complete removal.
The shift wasn’t purely visual. Advances in technology like IPL hair removal devices made at-home smoothness more accessible, convenient, and long-lasting. These tools gave users more control over their grooming choices, helping them move beyond painful waxing or daily shaving.
However, the 2020s are seeing subtle change. Social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit have popularized “full bush” movements again, celebrating body autonomy and self-acceptance. The focus is less on what’s “normal” and more on what feels right for the individual.
Shaving pubic hair may now be a mainstream choice but increasingly, it’s a conscious one, not a cultural default.
Men and Grooming: The Rise of “Manscaping”
In the early 2000s, “manscaping” moved from locker-room joke to mainstream ritual thanks to metrosexual culture, grooming ads, and the rise of body-conscious male influencers. By the 2010s, trimming, shaving, or waxing pubic hair became a normalized part of male self-care routines.
Men began opting for cleaner looks not just for aesthetics, but for perceived hygiene, comfort, and bedroom confidence. Styles like the “trimmed triangle,” “clean shave,” or “natural fade” entered everyday vocabulary. Even men’s magazines like GQ and Men’s Health started publishing guides on how to shape and maintain pubic hair.
Today, products like electric trimmers, gentle razors, and even IPL hair removal devices designed for male skin are expanding the options. Like women, men are now exploring what feels best for them whether that's smooth, sculpted, or natural.
Ultimately, the shift in male grooming reflects a broader trend: owning your look, on your terms.
IPL and Modern Hair Removal Tech
Shaving and waxing aren’t your only options anymore IPL hair removal is redefining long-term grooming.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology uses broad-spectrum light to target melanin in the hair follicle, gradually reducing hair regrowth. It’s non-invasive, less painful than waxing, and increasingly popular among both women and men for at-home use.
Devices like the IPL Hair Removal Device bring salon-level results into your bathroom. With adjustable intensity levels, a skin-safe sensor, and a sleek ergonomic design, it offers lasting smoothness without razor burns or ingrown hairs. It’s especially ideal for those tired of daily shaving or harsh waxing routines.
Unlike temporary methods, IPL helps break the hair regrowth cycle, delivering visible results in just a few weeks. And it works not just on pubic hair, but also on underarms, legs, and even male grooming zones.
For those seeking convenience, comfort, and long-term results IPL is the smoothest evolution yet.
The Psychology Behind Hair Removal Choices
For some, shaving pubic hair offers a sense of cleanliness or confidence in intimate situations. For others, letting it grow naturally feels empowering like reclaiming their body from cultural pressure. Preferences are shaped by upbringing, body image, peer norms, and even sexual partners’ expectations.
Yet studies show that women who choose their grooming style for themselves not because they feel they “should” report higher sexual satisfaction and body confidence. Similarly, men who groom out of self-care rather than pressure are more likely to feel ownership over their appearance.
Ultimately, the choice to shave, trim, or go natural is personal. And when made consciously, it becomes an act of autonomy not conformity.
Because at the root of every grooming decision is one question: Who are you doing it for?
Should You Shave? Expert Advice and Safety Tips
Experts recommend cleaning your skin thoroughly before shaving or waxing to reduce the risk of infection. Always use a fresh razor, shave in the direction of hair growth, and apply a soothing moisturizer afterward. For waxing, wait until the hair is at least ¼ inch long and never wax broken or irritated skin.
If you're choosing IPL treatment, start on the lowest setting and gradually increase. Always avoid using IPL on tattooed skin, open wounds, or recently sun-exposed areas.
Medical professionals also emphasize: If it hurts, stop. Persistent redness, ingrown hairs, or irritation may signal the need to switch methods.
The safest routine is one you tailor to your body’s needs not one driven by unrealistic trends or partner pressure.
How and When Did Women Start Shaving Different Parts of Their Bodies?
Leg shaving became popular during the 1910s–1920s, as skirts rose and hosiery thinned. Razor companies launched marketing campaigns encouraging women to remove leg and underarm hair as a mark of femininity and “modern hygiene.” Underarm shaving surged after sleeveless dresses hit department stores in the 1930s.
Facial hair grooming like upper lip or chin hair remained taboo until recent years, when dermaplaning and facial razors became normalized via social media and influencer content.
The bikini line and pubic area followed suit later, with Brazilian waxing trends exploding in the 1990s and evolving into today’s full-skin approaches like IPL.
What’s consistent? Grooming trends often follow fashion, media, and social visibility. But when you strip away the advertising, it’s clear: every part of the body is yours to care for or not on your own terms.
Conclusion
From ancient rituals to modern lasers, pubic hair has always been about more than hair. It’s about choice, comfort, and how we claim ownership over our bodies. Whether you're embracing the full bush or loving your smooth skin post-IPL, the best style is the one that feels most like you.
Explore safe, long-lasting options with the IPL Hair Removal Device and embrace grooming as a self-care ritual not an obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did women start shaving their pubic hair?
As early as Ancient Egypt, using pumice stones and sugar pastes. The trend evolved through fashion and cultural shifts.
Is shaving pubic hair more hygienic?
Not necessarily. Hygiene depends more on cleanliness than hair presence. However, grooming may help with sweat and odor control.
Is IPL safe for pubic areas?
Yes, if used correctly. Always patch test and follow manufacturer guidelines. Avoid tattoos, wounds, or sensitive areas.
Should I completely remove my pubic hair?
Only if you want to. There’s no medical need to remove it. Personal comfort should always come first.
What’s the best method for long-term hair removal?
IPL and laser are top choices for reducing regrowth over time with fewer skin issues than shaving or waxing.
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