The fashion for shaving, or partial or total waxing of the pubic area may soon be over. In any case, a study suggests that this craze for this “nudity” of the private parts could be a risk factor ofsexually transmitted infections(IST). Without establishing a direct cause and effect link, the American study published in the journal Sexually transmitted infections points to this correlation. The survey is based on a survey conducted on the Internet in January 2014 among 7,500 Americans between the ages of 18 and 65 about their hair removal practice but also on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections.
The results indicate that sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia were more prevalent among those accustomed to pubic hair removal. In detail, 8% of people who do not wax have already had an STI, against 14% for those who wax or razor. 18% of followers of integral hair removal declared having had an STI, points out the study taken up by Europe 1.
The controversial full bikini waxing
From there to saying that the hair removal of pubic hair is involved in the occurrence of STIs, there is a step that the study does not take. Even if the age differences of the respondents or the number of sexual partners of each were taken into account, other variables could explain this correlation such as risky sexual behavior. Still, shaved intimate areas can constitute a more favorable ground for the development of bacteria, even more in the event of small wounds or cuts related to shaving. Doctors have already warned in the past against the risk of infection linked tofull epilation : Frequent waxing can cause regular irritation to the shaved area or waxed.
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