Some of us are no strangers to No-Shave November. No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness. It started as something for men to raise awareness for prostate cancer by letting their beards grow out all month long, but it’s 2019 and we don’t play by those rules anymore. No-Shave November can be for everybody.

In the spirit of No-Shave November, I’m taking a look at body hair that everybody has – the pubes.

Men and women both have it and have our own grooming preferences. For women, I’ve heard everything from how pubic hair shouldn’t be groomed because if the body grew it, it must be there for a reason to how it needs to be waxed on a regular basis to stay hygienic. Just who’s actually got their hair facts straight?

Contrary to some beliefs, pubic hair actually serves a purpose.

Reducing friction
The skin on your genital region is delicate. Pubic hair acts like a protective buffer, reducing friction during sex and other activities. Some sources even refer to pubic hair as a “dry lubricant.” That’s because it’s easier to rub hair against hair than it is to rub skin against skin.

Protection from bacteria and other pathogens
Pubic hair serves a similar function to eyelashes or nose hair. That is, it traps dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms. In addition, hair follicles produce sebum, an oil that actually prevents bacteria from reproducing.

Your pubic hair protects against certain infections, including:

• cellulitis
• sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• vaginitis
• yeast infections

Signals reproductive ability
This one’s pretty useless but pubic hair appears at puberty. It’s a physical sign of sexual maturity one’s ability to reproduce.

Pheromone transmission
Another theory links pubic hair to the transmission of pheromones or scent-carrying chemical secretions that affect mood and behavior. Pheromones are secreted from apocrine sweat glands. Compared to other areas of the body, the pubic region has a lot of these glands. Therefore, as the theory goes, pubic hair may trap pheromones, increasing how attractive we appear to potential sex partners even though we spend over USD 500 billion a year on the beauty industry to eliminate our natural body odor and chance our appearance with makeup.

So, here’s the question. With obvious advances on personal hygiene, do we still need to keep our down their hair?

No. Waxing and shaving is a norm for men and women. It’s all based on your personal preference. Whether you’re going for a full Brazilian, landing strip, trimming the hedges, growing a wild bush, it’s all perfectly normal. In other words, you do you.

Shaving and Waxing

The two most common methods of hair removal are shaving and waxing. There’s also laser, creams, and threading but for most of us, it’s still the classic wax vs. shave.

Shaving is the easiest method. You can do it every time you shower, but the downside is that your hair ends up growing back pretty quickly. You’re also supposed to keep your razor blades fresh and new, and from personal experience, I can tell you that I’ve got too much going on in my life to remember to change my razor blazes regularly. Occasionally I’d end up with dull razors blades and lot of razor burns.

Waxing is a more care-free method. Sure it hurts (and don’t believe anyone who tries to convince you otherwise), but you don’t need to worry about it for weeks. Waxing can get pretty pricy but when it comes to your hoo-hoo health, don’t cheap out. It should go without saying that the wax applicator stick should be thrown away after each use, but there are salons in Beijing that don’t follow this rule. Don’t ever, ever, ever use a waxing place that doesn’t voluntarily throw away sticks after each application. If you need to ask them to do it, chances are that hot pot of wax has been previously double dipped. Point out that it’s an unacceptable sanitation practice and leave.

Photos: unsplash, giphy, totallysororitymove.com
Source: https://no-shave.org/, https://www.healthline.com/health/purpose-of-pubic-hair#primary-purpose

Life before new motherhood meant that I used home services not only for the convenience but also for the luxury of it. The notion of having my hairstylist care for my tresses while binge-watching my Game of Thrones box set, or having my beautician tend to my weary cuticles in the comfort of my own home would have seemed far-fetched, and not to mention an expensive non-option before moving to this great city, where almost everything is at your fingertips.

Nails, hair, massage, groceries – whether working from home, starting life as a new mother or just plain lazy and needing a break from the outside world, Beijing’s online community and platforms make it easy for anyone to live life as a hermit for a day or two depending on your in-house needs.

Nowadays, five weeks into caring for a newborn, it’s vital that I take advantage of services that offer the option to remain indoors. This has mostly been due to poor air quality, but has not been a bad excuse for times when I just don’t want to leave my apartment. A few days ago, my mom watched in astonishment as I sat in my rocking chair, baby in hand, while I was pampered hand to toe by one of the finest nail technicians in the city – I’ll tell you what I told her, give hermit life a go!

Nails – Xiao Fei
Xiao Fei will polish, buff, clip and soak you into happiness with her professional nail-care service. Xiao Fei and her trusty partner travel all over Beijing, offering a number of beauty services in the comfort of your abode. Not only does she give excellent manicures and pedicures finished off with neatly applied shellac of all colors but can tend to your eyebrows and waxing needs. If you are looking for convenience wrapped up in professionalism, then give her a try. She’s always on time and arrives with a smile. You have to be quick though, her services are in demand, so it’s worth booking at least a few days in advance. WeChat: ZXF19930710

Massage – Angela
Angela is not only a wonderful masseuse but is highly trained in prenatal massage. She is a wonder with all kinds of strains and pains and can click you right back into place where you will find blissful respite from everyday stresses. I used Angela throughout my pregnancy and was extremely happy with her professional service. Her schedule is flexible, and she can work miracles with her hands. Angela doesn’t speak any English, but what’s WeChat good for, if not for its handy translation capabilities, and if you’re anything like me, who wants or needs conversation during a peaceful massage? Make sure to have your preferred lotion or oil on hand. My preference is Arnica Oil – smells divine, soothes, and leaves skin moisturized but not sticky! WeChat: qin635041

Hair – Jasmine
Jasmine has experience handling different hair types, she not only cuts and styles but is a wizard with color. As far as color technicians go, you will do well to find someone as awesome with highlights and new trends as Jasmine. Although working for a high-end hair salon in Sanlitun, Jasmine often makes time for home visits on evenings or on the weekends. Reasonably priced, when she works her magic on locks of any kind, tresses long or short, curly or straight will be left looking salon-finished. My suggestion? Kick back, get the kettle on or the wine on ice, get box-set ready and be prepared to be beautified hermit style – in your home! WeChat: Jasmine523698

Groceries – Carrefour
If you’re not already familiar with the French supermarket chain, Carrefour, then you also might not be aware of the same day and next day delivery options available using their online service. Not only can you have your groceries delivered in time slots between 9am and 10pm, you can sign up for home deliveries using the English version of the website. Take advantage of the convenience of a comprehensive customer service line accessible via email or telephone, also all in English. Order before 9am and have your items delivered to your door on the same day, or select a time slot for the following morning, afternoon or evening. Sign up is quick and easy. Tip: have your address in Chinese handy to help with the sign up for accuracy. www.carrefour.cn

It’s time to treat yourself, and indulge in services accessed and secured through the touch of a button and executed in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Don’t fight the hermit in you, take a break from the notorious stifling Beijing summer heat and crowds, and put that change you’ll spend on a Didi towards a bottle of your favorite wine. Enjoy!

Photos: Adobe Creative Cloud