What is the best way to shave your genitals?
January 20, 2008
What is the best way to shave your genitals? And don't say "carefully".
There are lots of options available with various pros and cons.
The easiest way is to use an electric razor. One with a beard trimmer works best. Just trim away any long hair, and then use the shaver part to shave down the hair to very short lengths. As long as you don't rub too hard on your skin with your razor, you probably won't have any bumps. The downside to electric razors is that they can have a hard time around more tender areas of your body, such as your anus or your balls. You'll have a very difficult time shaving your ball sack with most electric razors.
For a closer shave or those hard-to-shave places, a safety razor will work better. (Straight razors work as well, but I wouldn't recommend those unless you REALLY know what you are doing). You can buy any of a number of safety razors in stores, but I'd find ones that are likely to cut your skin less rather than give you a closer shave. Be sure to use a good shaving cream, and that the blade is new and sharp. NEVER SHARE BLADES with another person. After you shave with a safety razor, be sure to wash off all the shaving cream. Wash yourself in the area again with soap and water. Some people like applying alcohol at that point with a cottonball for extra cleansing, but others are fine without doing so.
Regardless of how you shave yourself, if you want to shave your ass you are likely to run into trouble. Consider enlisting the help of a friend or sex partner to help you, and even then be very careful. A nick there is no fun!
Rashes are a problem for most people who shave themselves. We'll come back to treating those in a bit, but you can help avoid them by being very careful and gentle as you shave yourself, particularly around your ass and genitals. Try just stroking yourself twice with the razor, once "with the grain" of your hair (usually down), and once against the grain (usually up). Try to avoid going sideways, or shaving when the shaving cream is dry or washed away. Consider also just trimming your hair down to 1/4-1/2 an inch or so. On some people that can look really sexy, and it avoids all of the annoying side effects.
The easiest way is to use an electric razor. One with a beard trimmer works best. Just trim away any long hair, and then use the shaver part to shave down the hair to very short lengths. As long as you don't rub too hard on your skin with your razor, you probably won't have any bumps. The downside to electric razors is that they can have a hard time around more tender areas of your body, such as your anus or your balls. You'll have a very difficult time shaving your ball sack with most electric razors.
For a closer shave or those hard-to-shave places, a safety razor will work better. (Straight razors work as well, but I wouldn't recommend those unless you REALLY know what you are doing). You can buy any of a number of safety razors in stores, but I'd find ones that are likely to cut your skin less rather than give you a closer shave. Be sure to use a good shaving cream, and that the blade is new and sharp. NEVER SHARE BLADES with another person. After you shave with a safety razor, be sure to wash off all the shaving cream. Wash yourself in the area again with soap and water. Some people like applying alcohol at that point with a cottonball for extra cleansing, but others are fine without doing so.
Regardless of how you shave yourself, if you want to shave your ass you are likely to run into trouble. Consider enlisting the help of a friend or sex partner to help you, and even then be very careful. A nick there is no fun!
Rashes are a problem for most people who shave themselves. We'll come back to treating those in a bit, but you can help avoid them by being very careful and gentle as you shave yourself, particularly around your ass and genitals. Try just stroking yourself twice with the razor, once "with the grain" of your hair (usually down), and once against the grain (usually up). Try to avoid going sideways, or shaving when the shaving cream is dry or washed away. Consider also just trimming your hair down to 1/4-1/2 an inch or so. On some people that can look really sexy, and it avoids all of the annoying side effects.
Comment by Aaron Lawrence on January 20, 2008
A totally understandable viewpoint, although I suspect just as many would argue that people should not only trim their pubic hair, they should shave it all off!Still, your point is taken. There are people who enjoy all lengths of hair. Guys wishing to use the ol' porno trick of trimming/shaving to make their dick look bigger will have to balance that with the look they want to sport.
Comment by Anonymous on January 20, 2008
Your advice column is very interesting and helpful, but PLEASE don't advise guys to trim their pubic hair. It does not make them look neater, just jerkier.I live near Weho, so I see many trimmed crotches. Most look like plucked chickens and are very unappetizing. I (and many others) like it the way Nature intended. I've seen extremely handsome, buffed guys drop their shorts and expose a "pig's tail." That's not becoming, it's ridiculous looking.