Invariably, at some point in our lives, we have all shaved some part of our anatomy, and most of us prefer some part of ourselves hair-free. The first time was probably tense: a sharp razor, an unsure hand, lather and a new sensation as blade met skin. But for many of us the result was an unforgettable feeling of silky-smooth skin, sensitive to the touch, with all of the bare skin’s nerve endings at full attention. This heightened sensitivity and responsiveness is what makes genital shaving so alluring. To learn even more about shaving (and waxing) your genitals, check out the extensive sections in my books, The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus and The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio.
However, the thought of taking a razor and effectively scraping it across our most tender bits is enough to scare many people away from what could be a fun erotic experiment. Or, at least, it’s likely to make you feel the same tension and anxiety as the first time you picked up a razor and started shaving any other part of your body. But just like shaving you’d do anywhere else, genital shaving has its own techniques, rules and tricks for successful de-furring — and some important ways to avoid irritation afterward.
Start out by softening the hair; take a warm bath or shower, using soap and conditioner on your pubic region. Women should be careful to only use the conditioner on the outside (vulva), as the perfumes and pH can irritate the vagina’s delicate ecosystem. When you’re through and dry, trim the hair with small scissors, such as mustache trimmers, though I find that electric clippers do a terrific job in a short amount of time. This turns the hair into shaveable fuzz, and also gives you an idea of the ground you’re about to cover with your razor — you can see where all the hair is.
Get comfortable in front of a mirror. A door- or wall-mounted mirror is ideal, because you can pull up a chair, spread a towel on the seat and have a clear view. If you don’t have a big mounted mirror, you can prop up a small mirror and sit in front of it anywhere that feels comfortable. You can even set it against the back of your chair or against your toilet tank, and sit backwards to face your reflection. When you get settled comfortably, check your lighting: the light should be bright enough to see the individual hairs, and you may need to bring in extra lighting.
Set yourself up with a cup or bowl of warm water, a fresh safety razor and an extra towel. Use a thick shaving cream or gel. The types designed for sensitive skin (such as Aveeno) are highly recommended. Set the razor in the warm water to heat it up, moisten the area you’re about to shave — vulva, scrotum, pubic mound, anus — and work up a creamy lather with the shaving cream. Apply the lather (which feels pretty good, by the way) and start shaving.
Go slowly, and try to shave in the direction the hair grows, if you can tell. Make one stroke per area your goal — you want to shave with as few repeat strokes as possible. Keep your grip light so the razor can gently follow the contours of rounded areas, and don’t press. Rinse your razor in the water after each stroke to keep it clean. With tricky areas, such as the peaks of the outer labia or the testicles, use your other hand to gently pull and flatten the skin so your razor can glide over it. You’ll be surprised to find that hair grows in some unlikely places — to get a complete shave be sure to check just inside the outer labia around the clitoris, and on the base of the penis.
Watch your strokes in the mirror, and if you start to feel like your back is turning into a question mark, take a minute to sit up and breathe. Shaving the anal area is tough because it’s practically impossible to see, but some people find that it’s easier upside down! Try turning around and bending over completely, so you’re looking through your legs at your butt in the mirror, and use your free hand to pull your buttocks aside. You may think you look silly now, but trust me, it’ll feel divine when you’re done.
Once you’re through, hop back in the shower for a warm (not hot) rinse. Your newly shaved delicates will feel hypersensitive when the water hits, so just gently run your hands over everything to remove the shaving cream. You can use a little soap if you have some with a low pH, like glycerin, Aveeno, hand-milled or goat’s milk (all unscented). A harsh perfumed soap will irritate your skin, which has just been stripped of all its protective oils, so avoid harsh soaps. If you feel brave, make your final rinse cool water to close your pores.
Pat dry and apply an aftershave treatment to avoid razor burn. When I did research for the shaving and waxing sections in my books, it seemed like everyone had a different way to deal with razor rash — much like when you get a cold and everyone tells you a different home remedy that “really works.” Chicken soup for a shaved pussy notwithstanding, people swore by Neosporin ointment, almond oil, hypoallergenic lotion, cocoa butter, calendula cream and aftershaves. These work well for the people that recommended them to me, but I have extremely sensitive skin that erupts in razor burn if I get too close to the razors in a drugstore display case.
Zinc oxide creams (sold for diaper rash) work quite well; Desitin and Aveeno (unscented) are highly recommended. A very reliable product on the market that works astoundingly well is an after shave called Tend Skin, though it’s a harsh astringent and you will want to use it sparingly. You can get Tend Skin at Sephora and Amazon.com. Avoid hydrocortisone creams because they thin your skin over time. The first few times you shave, it will itch like hell when it begins to grow back, but this eventually stops. To help with the itch, carry a bottle of light hypoallergenic lotion with you and apply it as needed.
A lot of the information here may make shaving seem like a difficult process. But many people eroticize the procedure, and some even have their lovers help — or do it for them. After you first few shaves, you’ll find it gets easier. Eventually, you’ll probably be able to simply shave in the shower as part of your routine.
You won’t believe how a bare pussy or scrotum feels beneath your own hands, and it feels incredible during sex — especially oral sex and hand jobs. You’ll feel it every time you take a step, smooth skin on panties, boxers or your jeans. Enjoy the touchable new you — and good luck keeping your hands off of yourself!