Should men shave their pubic hair? If you’ve asked that question, you’re not alone. Some guys like a clean-shaven look, some prefer a simple trim, and plenty do nothing at all.
Here’s the reassuring truth: there’s no one right answer. Pubic hair is normal, and grooming is optional. The best choice depends on your skin, your comfort, your routine, and sometimes your partner’s preferences (without anyone making demands).
This guide walks through real-world pros and cons, clears up hygiene myths, shares safer grooming steps, and compares options like shaving, trimming, waxing, and laser so you can choose what fits you.
Should men shave their pubic hair? Start with the real pros and cons
Pubic hair isn’t “dirty” by default, and removing it doesn’t automatically make you cleaner. Hair can hold onto sweat, but it also protects skin by reducing friction. Hygiene mainly comes down to washing, drying well, and changing sweaty clothes, not whether you’re bare or bushy.
It can help to think of pubic hair like a doormat. It can catch some stuff, but it also prevents you from tracking dirt deeper into the house. Keeping it neat can make daily cleanup easier, but removing it completely can make the skin more exposed and reactive. If you want a helpful overview of what pubic hair does, Healthline’s explainer on the purpose of pubic hair breaks down the basics in plain language.
Potential benefits: comfort, look, less odor, and easier cleanup
For many men, grooming is about how it feels day to day.
Shorter hair can:
- Feel cooler during workouts or hot weather, especially if you sweat a lot.
- Make it easier to wash and fully dry the groin area after a shower.
- Reduce “tugging” from long hair in tight underwear.
- Make oral sex, condoms, or lubes feel less messy for some people.
- Match your personal style, whether that’s tidy, natural, or smooth.
On odor: hair doesn’t create smell on its own. Odor usually comes from sweat mixing with bacteria on skin. Still, shorter hair can make it easier to soap up, rinse clean, and dry well, which may help you feel fresher through the day.
Possible downsides: razor burn, ingrown hairs, itching, and higher irritation risk
The biggest downside of shaving is that the groin is not like your cheek. The skin is thinner, it folds, and it gets rubbed by fabric all day. That combo makes irritation more likely.
Common issues include:
- Itchy regrowth, especially in the first 1 to 3 days.
- Razor burn and red bumps.
- Ingrown hairs, which can look like pimples and feel sore.
- Small cuts, which sting and can get inflamed.
You’re more likely to get bumps if you have curly hair, sensitive skin, or a history of eczema. Shaving very close (or going against the grain) also raises the risk. Tiny nicks can let bacteria in, and irritated skin can feel worse during sex, cycling, or a long day in jeans.
If you decide to groom, what is the safest way to do it?
If you’re going to groom, treat the area like delicate skin, because it is. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s comfort and fewer problems afterward.
A good baseline is to start conservative: trim first, see how your skin reacts, then decide if you even want to go shorter. For medical guidance and common questions, Nebraska Medicine has a clear Q&A on whether it’s healthy to shave pubic hair.
Shaving tips for fewer bumps and cuts (before, during, after)
Shaving can work well if you do it gently and don’t rush.
Before
- Trim long hair first with a body groomer or scissors (long hair clogs razors).
- Take a warm shower for a few minutes to soften hair.
- Use a clean, sharp razor. Dull blades pull and scrape.
During
- Use a fragrance-free shave gel or a mild, slick cleanser.
- Shave with the grain first. One careful pass beats five angry ones.
- Keep the skin relaxed, don’t stretch hard, and don’t try to “chase smooth.”
- Rinse the blade often, go slow, and use good lighting.
After
- Rinse with lukewarm water, then pat dry (don’t rub).
- Apply a gentle moisturizer or aloe if your skin tolerates it.
- Skip heavy fragrance for a day.
- Wear loose underwear or breathable shorts for 24 hours.
Two hard rules: never dry shave, and stop if you feel stinging, see blood, or notice spreading redness.
For a deeper look at injury and infection risks from grooming (and ways to reduce them), the Kinsey Institute summarizes research in The Health Risks of Pubic Hair Grooming and How to Minimize Them.
Alternatives to shaving: trimming, depilatory creams, waxing, and laser
If shaving always leaves you itchy, you’ve got options.
Trimming: The lowest-risk choice for most men. It reduces bulk and sweatiness without scraping skin. Great if you want “neat” with minimal upkeep.
Depilatory creams: These dissolve hair, but they can burn sensitive areas. Only use products that clearly say they’re safe for the groin, patch-test first, and avoid direct contact with the genitals unless the label explicitly allows it.
Waxing: Smooth for longer than shaving, but it hurts and can still cause ingrowns. It also isn’t ideal if you’re prone to irritation.
Laser hair removal: Longer-term reduction, but it costs more and takes multiple sessions. Some men choose it for low maintenance, especially if they always get razor bumps.
For broader clinical guidance on grooming and pubic hair care, ACOG’s explainer, To Shave or Not to Shave: An Ob-Gyn’s Guide to Pubic Hair Care, offers practical safety points that apply regardless of gender.
How to choose what is right for you (and talk about it with a partner)
The best grooming style is the one you can live with on a random Tuesday, not just on vacation or date night. Comfort comes first. Skin health comes next. Aesthetic comes after that.
Quick decision checklist: skin type, lifestyle, and how much upkeep you want
Use these prompts to narrow it down:
- Do you get ingrown hairs easily?
- Does your skin react to fragrance or new products?
- Do you sweat a lot at work or the gym?
- Do you want a natural look with less work (trim)?
- Do you want fully smooth skin (shave, wax, laser)?
- How often are you willing to maintain it, weekly or monthly?
- Are you grooming for yourself, or trying to meet someone else’s idea?
If you’re unsure, trimming first is a safe starting point. You can always go shorter later.
Partner preferences, porn myths, and confidence
A quick conversation can remove a lot of pressure. Keep it simple: “Do you have any preferences?” and “Here’s what feels comfortable for me.” That’s it.
Porn can skew expectations because hairless bodies show up a lot on camera, but that doesn’t reflect what most real people require. No one gets to demand grooming as a condition for intimacy. The best “look” is usually clean, comfortable, and confident, whatever that means for you.
Conclusion
Men don’t need to shave pubic hair for hygiene. Grooming is a personal choice, and the right answer depends on comfort, skin sensitivity, and how much upkeep you want. If you’re on the fence, start with a trim, keep the area clean and dry, and only go smoother if your skin handles it well. When you do shave, prioritize gentle technique over a perfectly bare finish. If you notice ongoing rash, swelling, pain, sores, or signs of infection, talk to a clinician, because skin health matters more than any style.