While people are still trying to unravel the health implication of shaving body hairs, there is a debate whether it is societally acceptable or not, especially, for a woman.
Do I really need to remove my body hair?
Almost every girl has asked this question at some point in life. Sometime before now, the answer would have been an automatic “yes!” But today, the attention is shifting to other important issues and a growing number of millennials have found their answer: “No.”
As beauty trends have gradually become more inclusive, with makeup offering more natural shades than ever before, women are also giving themselves freedom from rules when it comes to personal grooming.
Body hair which used to be a taboo for so many women is now being embraced by others including celebrities who speak proudly of their unshaven underarms and influencers who post unapologetically about their visible leg and arm hair.
This movement has given marketing departments of razor manufacturing companies and hair removing cosmetics organisations a run for their money, making it pretty difficult for them to condemn body hair for women as it was before.
The hygiene factor:
Many women do believe that the removal of body hair has a lot to do with ‘hygiene’, ‘cleanliness’ as well as looking ‘presentable’. Despite women complaining about the pain, they go as far as bearing the discomfort, pain and sometimes scar to fit the image expected by society. Guess what? It is not free.
Pubic hair serves as a protective barrier to the sensitive vaginal opening and actually helps to prevent potentially harmful bacteria from entering the body. Also, women who do choose to remove their pubic hair also run the risk of injury and having wounds, abscesses, rashes and ingrown hairs which are becoming more common.
So why the fuss about getting rid of those hairs?
It all starts with society:
If women view the hair on their heads and eyebrows as normal, why is the hair almost everywhere else gross?
In Dr Alexis Conason’s (a clinical psychologist) words; “As a society and as a culture, we tend to be grossed out by the idea of having hair where it grows naturally on our bodies.” I don’t think there’s any deep, fixed reason why we find body hair unattractive.” She says. “It’s illogical, but we’ve been indoctrinated to believe that certain beauty standards are held up as ideal.”
We probably need to stop hair removal as a rite of passage for girls and teach other people to stop naming women with body hairs as “monkeys.” That way women can be comfortable with being themselves.
You don’t have to keep bearing the pain to look good for someone who really even doesn’t care. Accept your body hair if you feel like doing so. It grows on you anyways.
Haven’t shaved your body and you don’t feel like doing so? Awesome! From your belly hair, legs, chin, under the chin, toes, hair is normal – even in the weirdest places. It’s totally natural. Maybe it’s about time you started embracing the real you.
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