Getting to the Root of the Matter

Getting to the Root of the Matter

Kathleen Ang, BS       Charles W. Hartin, Jr, MD        Philip L. Glick, MD MBA

As pediatric surgeons, we never expected to be writing an article such as this, but the rash of skin infections related to shaving various parts of the body is reaching epidemic proportions. In the last decade, pubic hair removal has been on the rise amongst teenage boys and girls.  This practice can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Greece in the 17^th century.  By the 1940s, female body shaving, especially in the underarm region and legs was established as the cultural norm, and pubic hair removal trailed closely behind, booming in popularity since the 1980s.  The reasons for shaving are vast and have been evolving since the practice first began.  First done to prevent parasite infestation,  it is now practiced to increase feelings of sexual attractiveness and the desire to feel “clean” and “neat” in the most intimate of body regions.

                As the incidence of pubic hair shaving has risen, so has the outbreak of infections caused by antibiotic resistant staph bacteria (MRSA), which thrive on normal skin in warm, moist places such as groin creases and armpits.  Improperly shaving these areas can cause small cuts in which the antibiotic resistant bacteria can invade, possibly leading to infection of the soft tissue around the area (cellulitis) or formation of pus pockets (abscess).  Over 1000 kids with skin infections are seen annually at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and approximately 20 percent of which are likely related to improper shaving of the groin, legs or armpit areas.

                To prevent or reduce such infections, we recommend using hair removal techniques that minimize skin damage or we suggest avoidance of shaving altogether. Tweezing, waxing, sugaring and epilation are all mechanical techniques to pull each hair from its root and are time consuming, painful, cause damage to the skin, and should generally be avoided.   Another method is chemical depilation, which works by dissolving the hair follicle so, it can then be wiped away providing a smooth result. Although inexpensive, depilation can result in a chemical irritation and cannot be used near the genitals.   Permanent methods of hair removal that destroy the hair follicle, e.g., lasers and electrolysis, have risen in popularity, but are expensive, time consuming and results vary.  Shaving is the most common method of hair removal but should be performed with electric razors, clippers or single use safety razors (on well lathered skin) designed specially for the armpits, legs and pubic region.  Trimming pubic hair using scissors and a comb to avoiding contacting the skin is the safest, cheapest, and least irritating of removal methods.  Adolescence is a very difficult stage of development.  Avoidance of complicating it with preventable skin infections seems prudent.

Ms Ang is a Medical Student at SMBS, SUNY@Buffalo.  Dr Hartin, Jr, is a Pediatric Surgical Fellow at WCHOB and Dr. Glick is a Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and OB/GYN, WCHOB and SMBS, Department of Surgery, SUNY@Buffalo