Health3 min(s) read
What happens when you stop shaving ‘down there’ as Dakota Johnson reveals she did it for a film role
.webp_lli6Ty?tr=cr-74.9.445.380,f-webp,q-70,w-100)
After Dakota Johnson admitted the lengths she went to for a movie role, what really happens when you stop shaving has been revealed.
The actress, 37, revealed that she stopped shaving her pubic hair for her role in the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie back 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 make it as authentic as possible.
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 was firm in her answer - "No."
Now, what a person does with their pubic hair is a personal choice - some people choose to wax it off entirely, while others might shave, or leave certain parts untouched, while others prefer the natural look and leave it free and wild.
However, experts have revealed that there are some effects that happen when you make the choice to ditch the razor and let it go back to basics.
Razor burn and ingrown hairs could be a thing of the past
Razor burn - those annoying itchy bumps that can occur after a close shave - as well as ingrown hairs, could become a distant memory if you stop shaving.
Razor burn can be caused by the irritation of a razor scraping across the skin, while ingrown hairs often occur when the strand's end grows back beneath the skin instead of outside it, which can cause painful bumps, redness, itching, and inflammation.
Not shaving means these are far less likely to happen - which could be a welcome relief.
Your skin could face less irritation
Whether or not you like the look of a full bush, the reason humans grow pubic hair is down to function rather than aesthetics.
Skin around the genitals can be pretty sensitive, and repeatedly shaving it can cause irritation.
Freshly shaved skin rubbing on tight clothing or during intercourse can also cause further irritation, with pubic hair acting as a buffer to protect the area.
Pigmentation may improve
Depending on a person's skin, repeated inflammation and irritation from shaving can sometimes cause the area to experience a change in pigmentation.
Particularly in people who are prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the area affected can take on a darker hue to the surrounding skin.
Stopping shaving can help stop areas of hyperpigmentation appearing that otherwise wouldn't be there, but it is also worth noting that it its completely normal to have some variations in the color of the skin around the genitals.
You're less likely to experience shaving itch
One of the worst side-effects of shaving can be the post-shave itch - that annoying sensation that happens when the freshly-shaved area starts to grow back.
Of course, by eliminating the cause - shaving - you're far less likely to experience itching in the area due to the hair growing.
It is worth noting that there can be other causes for itching in your private area - such as infections or sexually transmitted diseases - so it's worth getting it checked out by a doctor if the issue persists.
Whether you prefer to rock a full bush or absolutely nothing at all, it ultimately comes down to personal preference, and there is no right or wrong choice.