The Carpet

I'm thinking about growing out my pubic hair. 

As a model, the choice to shave or not to shave is a daily fact of life. The first time I shaved off my pubic hair I was maybe twelve. It was new and itchy and weird. I started again in college and have been bald ever since. Making a choice to stop shaving isn't something I take lightly, but my sensitive skin and the high-maintenance nature of shaving has led me to a forum on modelmayhem discussing the topic. 

I’m shocked at how mean and condescending people (mostly women) can be when it comes to appearance, even when the area in question is usually hidden inside your pants. I have seen women comment that sporting shag carpet is “disgusting”, “dirty” and even “unhygienic”. 

That's nonsense, of course. There is nothing gross about pubic hair (that is the way nature intended it) as long as you are otherwise of good hygiene. 

However, I like options as much as the next lady (or fellow). Here they are:

To shave or not to shave? In an article I read recently, a dermatologist recommended that if one is to shave one’s legs, it needs to be done every day or never. Reason being, leaving too much time between shaves allows the hair to grow to a length that will cause tugging by the razor, leaving an unsightly (and painful) rash. Logic tells me the same rule applies to one’s vagina.

Wax on, wax off. Ah, waxing. Convenient, can be used with stencils to make fun shapes, can be done Brazilian style for a completely smooth, er, you get it. The biggest public argument against waxing is cost (sometimes into three digits), but for me it’s about the pain factor. I have never gone for a bikini wax, and it is most certainly NOT on the bucket list. I have had my legs waxed once or twice, and while I really love the results, the process is incredibly painful. I have also waxed my face (lip, chin, the usual); similarly painful, plus I break out in tiny little white bumps after. And you want to put hot wax where?

Nair. Just what I was hoping for: the smell of burning hair between my legs. Nope. Just, nope.

Just a little off the top. Despite what the anti-bush police are saying, pubic hair is coming back into style. In fact, Gwyneth Paltrow was recently quoted as admitting to having a “70’s style bush”. Whether that means trimming down to the ever-popular “landing strip” or letting nature do what it will, the general consensus is that many men love women with hair. 

Photographers? Not so much. 

From what I can gather the majority of the professional and semi-professional modeling world feels your pubic region is your business. That aside, there are some industry standards. Art models can do whatever they please. Hair adds a naturalism to the subject, and covers an area that could make the piece appear overly sexualized. If you are shooting fashion nudes, swimsuits, lingerie, or porn, however, you should probably be as bald as you can stand. If it’s something you’re really concerned about, ask the photographer what he (or she) expects well in advance of your shoot. 

For the average man or woman not getting paid to take their clothes off? Well, ‘scape as you see fit...or not at all.