Background: Pubic hair removal (PHR) is common among women in the United States, and understanding current practices is important for public health efforts. The most recent national study focusing on U.S. women's PHR habits and their correlates was conducted over a decade ago.
Objectives: The current study aims to provide an updated understanding of PHR practices among U.S. women, examining prevalence, methods, frequency, and motivations. We also examine characteristics of women who choose to remove their pubic hair.
Design: A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey administered in Spring 2023 via Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
Methods: Women (N = 522, ages 18-85 years) responded to items inquiring about their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and social media use, as well as methods, prevalence, and motivations associated with PHR. We examine various demographic and behavioral correlates of lifetime and recent PHR among women.
Results: Findings reveal that the majority of U.S. women have removed their pubic hair at some point in their lifetime, and almost half have done so within the past month. Frequency and preferred styles of PHR varied among women, indicating a wide range of individual preferences. Among top motivating factors for PHR were perceived cleanliness, comfort, and wanting to look good in a bikini. Race, age, and history of sexual activity were all statistically significant predictors of lifetime and recent PHR.
Conclusions: Findings from the current study may assist skincare professionals in better addressing patient/client PHR needs and concerns while promoting health. Studies should continue examining trends in PHR over time, its relation to societal perceptions of beauty, and its implications for health and well-being.
Keywords: adults; body hair; hair removal; public health; women.
Pubic hair removal practices among U.S. womenPubic hair removal (PHR) is a common practice among women in the United States, and it’s important for public health experts to understand current habits. Since the last national study on this topic was conducted a decade ago, the goal of this research was to update our knowledge of how and why U.S. women remove their pubic hair, along with examining which personal characteristics are related to a higher likelihood of women’s PHR. We surveyed 522 women aged 18 to 85 across the U.S. in Spring 2023 using Ipsos KnowledgePanel. We asked about their backgrounds, sexual behaviors, social media use, and their methods, frequency, and reasons for PHR. Our findings show that a majority of U.S. women have removed their pubic hair at some point, and nearly half have done so within the past month. Frequency and preferred styles vary, reflecting individual preferences. Most common reasons for PHR included feeling cleaner, more comfortable, and wanting to look good in swimsuit. We found that race, age, and sexual history significantly influenced women’s likelihood of PHR in their lifetime and in the past month. Understanding these practices can help skincare professionals better meet the needs of their patients and clients, promoting women’s overall health. Moving forward, it is important for studies to continue monitoring PHR trends among women, exploring its connection to evolving societal beauty norms and examining its impacts on health and well-being.