To trim or not to trim

[carolp]

Thank goodness this is a women's forum. I'm trying to decide whether or not to trim my pubic hair. Part of me think it's a good cushion for the lady parts, and then part of me is thinking all it does is get the chamois cream goopy.
Any thoughts? I'm talking about just the part that hits the chamois.

[OakLeaf]

Worse than take up chamois cream, it mats, tangles and chafes. Trim that trim! :cool:

[westtexas]

Are we talking about trimming or about shaving? Cause in my mind those are two totally different things. I'm definitely pro the former and have had terrible experiences with the latter.

[Artista]

My chamois always manages to grab and pull one hair when it's long...usually on group rides so it's inconvenient to readjust. Trim! (Don't shave!)

[Maye]

What about waxing? It hurts a lot but it takes longer to grow back.

[zoom-zoom]

I use Magic Shaving Powder (it's a depilatory designed for black men's facial hair, but it's very gentle "down there." You just mix it to a pudding-like consistency with water, slather it on, leave for 7 minutes, then scrape off). I'm starting to seriously contemplate laser hair removal, though. I seem to get chafed really badly by my own hair. I'd probably leave a "landing strip," but otherwise go sort of Brazilian.

[carolp]

I'm really just talking about the stuff that's right over the vagina. That's where my hair is long. I think I will start trimming.

[Artista]

Ouch! Yanking it out or dissolving it with chemicals. In grown hairs when it grows back. No thanks.

I'm happy with old fashioned scissors. Of course the results aren't as artistic as a landing strip;)

[zoom-zoom]

Ouch! Yanking it out or dissolving it with chemicals. In grown hairs when it grows back. No thanks.

I've never been waxed, but I never get ingrowns from depilatories. Shaving...yeah, ingrown city, there!

[malkin]

This is one you just gotta figure out for yourself.
Try something, and if it doesn't work, try something else.
Repeat as needed.

[Antaresia]

Trim! It feels so much better, and I think it looks better too. I wish more men would do it :rolleyes:

Shaving is more trouble than it's worth.

[westtexas]

I wish more men would do it :rolleyes:

+10000. The end ;)

[zoom-zoom]

I wish more men would do it :rolleyes:.

The ones who know about the extra optical inch (http://www.usa.philips.com/c/body-groomers/294478/cat/en/) do! ;)

[lovelygamer]

I don't do mine for cycling reasons but I am a fan of either trimming, shaving or a combo of both. I can advise you NOT to wax. That will cause you the worst pain of your life. I can guarantee you won't wear panties for days nor will you be able to ride. :eek:

[Jiffer]

I can't believe I'm writing this on the internet, but I trim with an electric trimmer, the shortest setting. I shave the higher up stuff daily.

The things you people get me talking about. REALLY! ;)

[murielalex]

Years ago, I lasered off what's underneath, and nicely trim the rest (I left a bit as I didn't want to look like a prepubescent girl). Never regretted it, and since I picked up cycling, it certainly makes everything easier.

[freednerd]

If you shave long enough it really isn't a bother (but I have been doing it for years so I can't really remember how bad it was originally). In the beginning it can be sort of itchy. But waxing, no way. Tried that once and was in horrible pain- never again....it is too sensitive down there for that!

[zoom-zoom]

Years ago, I lasered off what's underneath, and nicely trim the rest (I left a bit as I didn't want to look like a prepubescent girl). Never regretted it, and since I picked up cycling, it certainly makes everything easier.

My BFF got in on a Groupon for lasering...she's done her legs, pits, and girl parts. I mentioned it to DH -- I'd only bother with the areas that give me issues on the bike. I think he's pretty supportive of it, since chafing down there from pubes takes sexy time off the table for a few days after every longer ride. It benefits him pretty directly if my happy parts stay that way. ;)

[prinessbeca]

Okay so something I've always wondered....do you guys use SCISSORS??? Because that sort of (okay REALLY) scares me. I don't know that I want something that sharp anywhere near my lady parts. I've done it, but I never do a very good job because I'm always scared.

If you use a electric razor, which kind do you prefer? I've had unsatisfactory experiences with various electrics.

Mostly I just shave or use "sensitive area" nair every so often. I'm pretty lazy.

Meanwhile, no one's told my fiance about the 'optical inch'...perhaps I should enlighten him. He's a hairy beast.

[zoom-zoom]

Okay so something I've always wondered....do you guys use SCISSORS??? Because that sort of (okay REALLY) scares me. I don't know that I want something that sharp anywhere near my lady parts. I've done it, but I never do a very good job because I'm always scared.

I feel the same way for the same reason. I've done some trimming, but it always makes me very nervous. I'm kind of a klutz and that's no area that I want to be making mistakes around... :eek:

[Artista]

Scissors...I don't cut THAT close;)

[GLC1968]

Scissors...I don't cut THAT close;)

Ditto.

It's not like you have to do it blind-folded or anything!

[Maye]

Waxing is sooooo painful. In the process, I always sweat, scream and curse (in Spanish :p). I have done the brazilian with the landing strip a handful of times in my life. I actually got for Christmas (from hubby) a gift certificate for a very good waxing center. Needless to say, the certificate is still in my purse. Ouuch, ouch, ouchh!! Not to mention the fact that you have to show your
private parts to a complete stranger!!

For now, I'm sticking to scissors (very carefully) and works well for me :)

[indysteel]

Ditto.

It's not like you have to do it blind-folded or anything!

OMG!!! Thanks for the belly laugh!

[airrace]

Well, to me trimming is also the best way of solving your problem. You have to get used to it at first, but ... it feels better really.

[Wahine]

So, here I am in my house about to wax, not my lady bits specifically, but general hair management. But I've had the lady bits on my mind as I am trying to find ways to minimize the possibility of sores etc on a long mtn bike stage race.

As my wax was warming, I thought to myself, "Self, I wonder if TE has anything interesting to say about this issue." And wouldn'tchaknowit! here it is.

Thanks for the info and the laughs.:D:D

[indysteel]

Lolz, Wahine! I have researched some interesting topics myself here at TE. I don't think we leave many stones unturned!!!

[TigerMom]

A long, long time ago, my boyfriend (currently my husband) and I had broken up. I decided to wax my huge bush at home by myself because the weather was so hot. It took me 8 hours :eek: (because it was so painful and had to be done because the wax was already stuck on me) with blood here and there. However, the physical pain of waxing helped take my emotional pain away some.

I continued to wax once every few months since I didn't really like my bush anyways; Plus, the first time was definitely the most painful. After many years of occasional waxing, the hairs grow back in much less now. Superglad that I did this because it feels so much better waxed than trimmed during biking.

Motto of the story, get your female parts waxed during a breakup, since you are in pain anyways.
_______________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[OakLeaf]

The good news was that it kept a pair of too loose jeans from falling down.


:D :D :D :eek: !!!!

[barrelgal]

I go to a place to get waxed, the first time hurt like hell but after that it's not so bad. I talk to the lady the whole time. Super awkward, but I HATE trimming

[zoom-zoom]

:D :D :D :eek: !!!!

I love this place! We need this smilie: http://www.essexreefclub.org.uk/Smileys/roflmao.gif

[roguedog]

OMG.

Now that is spit-my-coffee-out, effin' funny. <insert zoom-zoom's smilie here>

P.O.T.D!

Time to go get some paper towels. :o


OMG all of you!

The good news was that it kept a pair of too loose jeans from falling down.

Edit: Found it! (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=43112&highlight=hair)

[PamNY]

Waxing is sooooo painful. In the process, I always sweat, scream and curse (in Spanish :p). (

Does cursing in Spanish help? I cursed in English and it didn't seem to make much difference.

[TrekDianna]

OMG, I was just thinking about this the other day after irritation.

[Artista]

does cursing in spanish help? I cursed in english and it didn't seem to make much difference.
lmao!

[Cycling Sister]

This thread is cracking me up!

Shaving and riding = ingrown hairs
Waxing and riding = no problems. With softer regrowth there's less painful maintenance

I haven't had any issues with chaffing or needing to use chamois cream yet. However, my longest ride has only been 50 miles.

[emily_in_nc]

I think every woman tries home waxing. ONCE.

That's how the home waxing kit folks make their sales. I have to wonder if there are ever any repeat buyers.

From one who tried it at home. ONCE.

I shave around the edges and trim the main drag strip. That's it.

[jessmarimba]

I've used the home tape "wax" kits, and had no problem with those. Tried normal wax kit on my legs once and that didn't work as well.

[amnesiac]

OMG no way would I ever be brave enough to wax anything ever. I just use one of those "beard trimmer" things - like a small electric shaver thing that you can put plastic guards on depending on how close you want the trim. I only shave the bikini line during the summer when I'm at the pool.

[Cycling Sister]

I use a brazillian hard wax at home. It hurts less for me to pull off the wax than someone else. Maybe it's a psychological thing; feels like I'm more in control. It's not near as painful as when I used to pay someone else to wax me.

[2wheelr]

Have you ever read this story? I still have tears running down my face from laughing.
I will also NEVER wax my hoo-ha.

All hair removal methods have tricked us with their promises of easy, painless removal. The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now.... The Wax!!

My night began as any other normal weekday night. Come home; fix dinner; played with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours; "Maybe I should pull the wax out of the medicine cabinet?"

So I headed to the site of my demise; the bathroom. It was one of those cold wax kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand and then they get warm and you peel them apart, press it to your leg (or wherever else) and hair comes right off!

No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm no girly, girl, but I am mechanically inclined enough that I can figure it out. *YA THINK!!!*

So I pull one of the thin strips out. It's two strips facing each other, stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. Cold wax my rear end (Oh, how this phrase haunts me!). I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull.

OK... So it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this!!! Hair removal no longer eludes me!! I am She-Ra, fighter of all wayward body hair and smooth skin extraordinaire!!

With my next wax strip, I move "north". After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of the bikini line, covering the right half of my vagina and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip). I inhale deeply and brace myself.... RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

I'm Blind!!!!! Blinded from pain!!!!!!... OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half of the strip. S**T!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP... Everything is swirly and spotted. Do I hear crashing drums????? OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - A wax covered strip with my hairy pelt that has caused me so much pain, sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it!

Where is the hair?? WHERE IS THE WAX? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair... The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. S**T!!! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair.

Then I make the next BIG mistake . . . . . . . Remember, my foot is still propped up on the toilet. I know I need to do something, so I put my foot down. DAMN!!! I hear the slamming of the cell door.

Vagina? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!!! I penguin walk around the bathroom, trying to figure out what to do and think to myself, "Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off."

Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right?? *WRONG!!!!*

I get in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse that having your nether businesses glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub. In scalding hot water!! Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub!!! God bless the man what convinced me I should have a phone in the bathroom!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she's waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter, "So my butt and who-ha are stuck to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight pause. She doesn't have a secret trick, but does try to hide the laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located on bottom, "Are we talking cheeks or hole or what?"

She's laughing out loud by now... I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!! Right!!!!!! I would be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions, I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water, and then dry shaving the sticky wax off!!!

By now, the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I slip into glazed donut land. My friend is still talking with me as my hand reaches towards the saving grace... The lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point. I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids, scared the dickens out of my friend, but I really don't care!!

"IT WORKS!! IT WORKS!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice, to my grief and despair... THE HAIR IS STILL THERE... ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I shaved it off. Heck, I'm numb at this point.


Next week I'm going to try hair color . . . . . . ;)

[Catrin]

OMG, that had me laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my face. I've never had the desire to wax my girly bits and after reading that I certainly NEVER will!

We really need that animated graphic with the little laughing face rolling back and forth :D

[PamNY]

That's hilarious. Probably really happened.

[OakLeaf]

That's hilarious.

But seriously: the doc says don't (http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/04/war-pubic-hair.html). And that's aimed at people who don't spend hours riding around in a damp chamois.

[Blueberry]

That's hilarious.

But seriously: the doc says don't (http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/04/war-pubic-hair.html). And that's aimed at people who don't spend hours riding around in a damp chamois.

Interesting. Looks like that article has been quoted, and criticized - her response is here (http://briarcroft.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/a-paucity-of-civility/) (I'm not in any way suggesting the original wasn't 100% right - just an interesting reaction she has gotten).

[ny biker]

Interesting. Looks like that article has been quoted, and criticized - her response is here (http://briarcroft.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/a-paucity-of-civility/) (I'm not in any way suggesting the original wasn't 100% right - just an interesting reaction she has gotten).

I just started reading the comments. "Love me, love my pubes." :D

[rocknrollgirl]

This post should have come with a warning label. I think I caused internal injuries from laughing so hard.



Have you ever read this story? I still have tears running down my face from laughing.
I will also NEVER wax my hoo-ha.

All hair removal methods have tricked us with their promises of easy, painless removal. The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now.... The Wax!!

My night began as any other normal weekday night. Come home; fix dinner; played with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours; "Maybe I should pull the wax out of the medicine cabinet?"

So I headed to the site of my demise; the bathroom. It was one of those cold wax kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand and then they get warm and you peel them apart, press it to your leg (or wherever else) and hair comes right off!

No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm no girly, girl, but I am mechanically inclined enough that I can figure it out. *YA THINK!!!*

So I pull one of the thin strips out. It's two strips facing each other, stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. Cold wax my rear end (Oh, how this phrase haunts me!). I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull.

OK... So it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this!!! Hair removal no longer eludes me!! I am She-Ra, fighter of all wayward body hair and smooth skin extraordinaire!!

With my next wax strip, I move "north". After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of the bikini line, covering the right half of my vagina and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip). I inhale deeply and brace myself.... RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

I'm Blind!!!!! Blinded from pain!!!!!!... OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half of the strip. S**T!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP... Everything is swirly and spotted. Do I hear crashing drums????? OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - A wax covered strip with my hairy pelt that has caused me so much pain, sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it!

Where is the hair?? WHERE IS THE WAX? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair... The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. S**T!!! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair.

Then I make the next BIG mistake . . . . . . . Remember, my foot is still propped up on the toilet. I know I need to do something, so I put my foot down. DAMN!!! I hear the slamming of the cell door.

Vagina? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!!! I penguin walk around the bathroom, trying to figure out what to do and think to myself, "Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off."

Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right?? *WRONG!!!!*

I get in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse that having your nether businesses glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub. In scalding hot water!! Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub!!! God bless the man what convinced me I should have a phone in the bathroom!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she's waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter, "So my butt and who-ha are stuck to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight pause. She doesn't have a secret trick, but does try to hide the laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located on bottom, "Are we talking cheeks or hole or what?"

She's laughing out loud by now... I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!! Right!!!!!! I would be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions, I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water, and then dry shaving the sticky wax off!!!

By now, the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I slip into glazed donut land. My friend is still talking with me as my hand reaches towards the saving grace... The lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point. I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids, scared the dickens out of my friend, but I really don't care!!

"IT WORKS!! IT WORKS!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice, to my grief and despair... THE HAIR IS STILL THERE... ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I shaved it off. Heck, I'm numb at this point.


Next week I'm going to try hair color . . . . . . ;)

[Moongidget]

OMG. All of you are so hilarious.

I am a salon waxer. I've tried at home to the most abysmal sticky results. Would NOT recommend.

I've had my brows waxed for years, and my lady bits waxed for two years. I don't find that it is particularily painful, and you get used to the gal staring at your nether region during the process. Aside from cycling, I've picked up swimming, and waxing is a must. Shaving there daily is just not something I want to deal with.

I ride after waxing, but would not schedule a wax the day before a long ride. Better to give it a day or two, especially if its hot outside.

[Ursula745]

I tried waxing myself at home and got my *** cheeks stuck together. Hubby had to help me get unstuck! :eek: Never again. I shave it all off.

[sah]

too funny.. I have not laughed so much in a long time. This should be shared.