Waxing, shaving, plucking, threading, using a cream, there are so many different options for removing hair that it’s become the norm for many people.
However, it’s surprising how much mental, physical, and emotional energy it takes up. It’s time-consuming, can often be uncomfortable, and it’s not cheap.
But what happens when you simply… stop?
A woman has sparked a conversation after opening up about her decision to ditch shaving her pubic and underarm hair, and the unexpected changes she noticed as a result.
Sharing her experience on Reddit, the woman explained that she decided to stop shaving her as a “test”, without really knowing what the outcome would be.
What followed, she said, wasn’t a dramatic transformation, but a series of small shifts that added up to something bigger.
One of the earliest changes she noticed was sweating less under her arms, or at least feeling less bothered by it.
She said: “My underarms don't sweat as much. Or maybe the hair just wicks it away? Regardless, this has been a major bonus because I was always a stinky-pit kind of gal, no matter what I did.”
Then there was the lack of irritation. After years of razor burn, redness, and discomfort caused by shaving sensitive skin, going without a razor brought unexpected relief. She admitted she hadn’t realised how much stress shaving added to her routine until it was gone.
But that’s not to say grooming disappeared entirely. While she gave up shaving, she admitted that full-on “au natural” comes with some practical considerations.
She joked: “I definitely need to get a pair of clippers for my pubic hair. Either that or I'm going to have to start a trend of elaborate tiny braids down there.”
Perhaps the most positive part of her experience, though, was the emotional shift. She explained: “I feel so much more empowered. I feel much more connected to other women and myself. I'm loving my entire body more.
"I'm talking more about my period with people, and poop, and body odor, and all those other faux pas things that are completely normal but no one likes to discuss.”
Joking that she doesn’t bring these topics up at the dinner table or anything, she feels like she’s breaking down personal barriers. She added: “I want to know what is normal for my body, so I can love my body.”
The writer went on: “I still have anxiety over how people will react. I'm nervous about wearing sleeveless clothing. I've been testing out different clothing items and postures, raising my arms in the mirror to get used to what it looks like.
“I refuse to let this be a reason why I start shaving again, but I haven't quite jumped through that hoop of not giving a f**k yet. I'm kind of just sitting in the hoop, teetering one way and the other.”
At home, the reaction was refreshingly uneventful. She said her husband barely noticed and, when he did, made it clear he supported her completely. His response, she said, was simply that it was her body, and that she was beautiful either way.
However, she confessed she hadn’t yet told her mother, despite usually sharing everything with her, and worried about being labelled a “hippie” or a “crazy feminist”. Another unexpected change she explained was that she felt older and more mature.
She went on: “If we were going to go by the cycle of Maiden, Mother, and Crone, I feel like I've stepped into the Mother phase. This is fitting, because I hope to become a mother quite soon, but more interesting is just the shift in perspective.
"I don't feel ‘sexy’ and youthful like I used to, but it's not a negative change. I feel powerful and strong. I think I prefer this feeling, personally.”
While she said she doesn’t see herself shaving those areas again, unless she genuinely wants to, she finished: “I think our bodies are amazing, that's the biggest takeaway I've had. I think how we treat our bodies directly impacts how we feel about ourselves and our life, and it's important to identify what makes you feel good and what makes you feel bad.
“Shaving didn't make me feel good; it was an unnecessary addition to my grooming routine. However, I still shave my legs, pluck my eyebrows, do my makeup and all that other stuff. Grooming isn't all or nothing, and passing on one aspect of what's normal doesn't mean your whole life will change. It might, but that's really up to you.
“If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: Don't underestimate the power of doing right by yourself, even in a small way.”