Women have many options in the, um, "private" grooming department - from a full-out wax to doing nothing and everything in between. The mere act of grooming “down there” is controversial to some - but this post isn’t about the societal implications of your grooming choices. I see it this way: Some women pierce and tattoo their bodies and others like to keep their skin intact. Just like a having a tattoo doesn’t automatically make you a badass (hate to break it to some of you), getting a brazilian wax doesn’t make you an accessory to the pornification of America.

It's also not a fleeting trend: Women and men across cultures have been removing body hair for centuries. It’s a matter of personal preference and, like all grooming (or lack thereof), a form of self-expression. Personal grooming “down there” is no different.

So whatever you like to do is fine. Really, it is.  Do what feels good to you. Experiment. Have fun! But for heaven’s sake, keep it private.

I think we can all agree that no matter what you choose to do (or not do), no one should be able to tell how you wear the hair “down there” -- unless you’re standing buck naked in front of them on purpose. No, really, the rest of us don’t want to know.

Since it's summer and you're more likely to be thinking about your situatlon "down there" (maybe you're spending more time at the beach than usual, or perhaps you're just ready for a change) let's talk a bit about the basic options available for personal grooming.

For those that like to DIY:

Trimming
I’d venture that trimming is essential for almost everyone. Even if you like the “natural” look, a little regular trimming keeps things manageable. Trimming makes shaving easier and takes a LOT of the sting out of waxing. Try a classic bikini line trimmer like the Epilady, or take a two-in-one product like the Schick Quattro Trimstyle on your next vacation.

Shaving
Shaving is cheap and easy, but that doesn't mean that you can rush the job. Shaving after a hot shower is best, exfoliate the day before, and trim the hair as much as possible to make things easy on yourself. Using a gentle shaving gel will further soften the hair and help the razor glide over your skin. Whatever you do, DON't push down! Be gentle!

The benefit of shaving is that you can easily control how much you take off, and that you get smooth results with practice. The disadvantage is that hair grows back quickly, and that shaving too often can result in razor burn because the skin in the bikini area is very sensitive. Which is why some women turn to waxing. 

Waxing (Best left to the pros)

(I know there are some women who do their waxing at home. All I can say is, wow.)

There are more or less three levels of waxing: The regular (or “American”) bikini wax, the “French” wax, and the “Brazilian”.

• An "American" wax basically follows the line of your underwear or bathing suit, and removes any stray hairs that spill out. If your goal is to not think about your bikini line while on vacation, wear the bathing suit you're planning to take with you to the appointment.
• When you get a "Brazilian" wax everything is removed - including hair from your buttocks. Lots of women love it, but it's definitely not for your first waxing appointment. 
• The "French" wax removes a little more than the American, but typically does not include hair removal from the buttocks.

Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Speak to your esthetician before she gets to work, and she will remove exactly as much or as little hair as you like.

Tips for a (relatively) painless wax:

- Trim your hair to about the length of a grain of rice. This GREATLY reduces discomfort. I've heard that taking ibuprofen 30 minutes before your appointment can help as well.

- Ask for hard wax - it's a lot less painful than strip wax because it only grips the hair and not the skin (ouch!). It also works at a lower temperature than other waxes.

- Relax. Breathe. Don't be nervous. And don't be bashful: Your tech has done this before. She's seen it all.

- Some women find that coughing as the technician pulls the wax distracts them from what's going on. If coughing's a bit too weird for you, hold your breath as she pulls (but breathe the rest of the time!)

That's all there is to basic grooming "down there" - of course there are many more options from lasers to stencils to coloring (oh my!), but I think that's enough for now.

(You're welcome.)

 Go forth, and have fun "mowing the lawn" - if that's your thing! 

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Roxanna, AKA Miguelina, also writes at her personal blog, where she rarely talks about truly personal grooming. Once again, you're welcome.