Abstract
Genital hair is one of the secondary sexual traits that marks the beginning of puberty; its removal has been part of human culture since ancient times. This practice may lead to modifications in vaginal microbiome with potential repercussions on skin health and balance. We conducted a narrative review with the purpose of describing normal skin microbiota, its impact under microenvironment changes and genital hair removal. Menses, pathological conditions and pubic hair removal may alter vaginal microbiota, being the latter of special relevance giving the risk of hair microtrauma, irritations and potential spread of infectious agents. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(3):27-33
Highlights
Genital hair is one of the secondary sexual traits that alongside with thelarche marks the beginning of puberty[1]
We propose to conduct a narrative review regarding the normal skin microbiota and its impact under genital hair removal and microenvironment changes, accessing its possible risk of disbalance and disease
Genital hair removal has a noteworthy effect on genital skin microenvironment; skin lesions and microbiota disturbances are prone to shortand long-term clinical significance
Summary
Genital hair is one of the secondary sexual traits that alongside with thelarche marks the beginning of puberty[1]. Body hair removal has been a practice inherent to the human since the beginning of time[1], overstepping many cultures and periods of human history[5], being evidenced in ancient Egypt and Greek engravings[6]. In the case of Colombia, a recent study which intended to establish the prevalence of genital hair removal in 1964 necropsies, registered a prevalence of genital hair removal between men of 31,1% and women of 57,9%7 It has become a relatively mundane, normalized, unquestioned part of many men and women’s lives[5], as with any practice it is subject to adverse health consequences; ranging from less serious complications such as mechanic or infectious folliculitis and contact dermatitis[6] all the way to genital burns from waxing, skin irritation, vulvar and vaginal irritation and infection, and spread of sexual transmitted infections[9]. We propose to conduct a narrative review regarding the normal skin microbiota and its impact under genital hair removal and microenvironment changes, accessing its possible risk of disbalance and disease
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