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Gynecologist reveals what really happens if you don’t shave ‘down there’ after Dakota Johnson’s X-rated admission
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A gynecologist has spoken out about what happens if you stop shaving your private parts following Dakota Johnson's admission.
As previously reported, the 37-year-old actress revealed that she stopped shaving her pubic hair for her role as Anastasia Steele in the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie in 2015.
Johnson appeared fully nude in the movie, and as pubic hair was a key part of her character's plotline, she decided to go for the real deal instead of fake hair.
She revealed during an appearance on First We Feast: "I grew my pubic hair. For Fifty Shades, the first one, I was full frontal, and she was supposed to have never had a wax."
When asked if she'd considered wearing a pubic wig - known as a merkin - Johnson quickly responded: "No."
While full bushes might have fallen out of favor in recent decades following their heyday in the '70s, they appear to be having something of a resurgence as more people opt to ditch the razor in favor of au naturale.
A gynecologist has spoken out to dispel some of the common myths around not shaving your pubic hair, including those about hygiene.
Dr. Holly W. Cummings revealed in an article for Every Stage Health that a lot of the preconceptions about what women should be doing with their pubic hair are deeply rooted in societal expectations and common myths.
She revealed that many patients she sees in clinic apologize for not having shaved, adding: "Pubic hair is natural - we are mammals, after all. And yet, people can be very emotional about the state of their hair 'down there.'
"These feelings are deeply rooted in societal expectations and myths about pubic hair, especially for women."
She shut down the idea that pubic hair is inherently 'unclean' or could smell, explaining that it is there to provide an important function and is generally not bad smelling if a person maintains good hygiene.
Dr. Cummings explained: "The purpose of pubic hair is to protect us, just like the hair around your ears, nose, and eyes.
"It keeps the skin of your vulva warm and moisturized. It protects the delicate skin from friction during sexual activity. It keeps dust, dirt, and germs away from the vagina to prevent infection.
"Researchers even suspect pubic hair may play a role in sexual attraction and sexual pleasure."
She also highlighted the fact that the vagina is a "self-cleaning organ", and that any smells are from the pubic hair doing what it is designed to do - trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria.
To care for the area properly, she says it just needs to be washed with water, rather than any fragranced soaps which can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina.
She confirmed: "Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it.
"And yet, many people feel pressured to shave or wax because of our society’s long-standing ideas of gender, beauty, and purity."
Dr. Cummings highlighted that the prevalence of pubic hair also varies culturally, with American women being more conditioned to remove their pubic hair than women from other cultures.
Leaving your pubic hair to grow naturally is absolutely fine, but if you choose to remove some - or all - of it, Dr. Cummings shared some tips.
She revealed that trimming, rather than shaving, the area is the safest option as it just shortens the hair rather than risking cutting or grazing the skin below, which can lead to irritation or infection.
As for shaving, she admitted she is "not a big fan" of the idea as it "can hurt sensitive skin, leading to rashes, ingrown hairs, and infection."
If shaving is your preferred method of hair removal, Dr. Cummings advises to "use a new, clean razor every time" as used ones can carry bacteria, and to shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against the grain, however she notes that it can be difficult as pubic hair can grow in "multiple directions".
As for waxing, she advises to make sure that you are visiting an experienced licensed professional and ensuring they follow strict hygiene protocols, including never "double-dipping" into the wax pot, which can cause cross-contamination between customers.
As for doing it yourself, she added: "If you choose to groom your pubic hair yourself, take your time and use soap or shaving cream as a lubricant. Use a mirror as a guide, so you can see what you’re doing."
Importantly, she reiterated: "As an ob-gyn, I want you to know that pubic hair is normal. Whether to groom or let it grow is your choice - no one else’s.
"And there is no reason to apologize about your pubic hair, to your ob-gyn or anyone else."