Practices and Complications of Pubic Hair Removal Among Saudi Women [5H

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To determine pubic hair removal practices and the prevalence of its complications among Saudi women living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Between December 2015 and August 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient gynecology clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an anonymous, self-administered survey. RESULTS: Four hundred Saudi women completed the survey. The age was 26.3 ± 6.9; 16 - 58 years (mean ± SD; range). The majority 252 (63%) were classified as under/normal weight. The age of the start of pubic hair removal was 13.5 ± 1.9; 8 - 21 years. The frequency of removal was 20.8 ± 14.6; 3-90 days. Pubic hair removal was done by the women themselves in 308 (77%) women, and by professional personnel in medical clinics in 62 (15.5%) women, in beauty salons in 21 (5.3%) women, and at home in 9 (2.2%) women. The method was razor (33.5%), laser (8.7%), sugaring (6%), waxing (4.5%), trimming (2%), electric razor (2%), cream (1.5%), and combinations (41.8). Complications were skin cuts (7.7%), severe itching (7.5%), ingrown hair (6.8%), rash (3%), burn (2.5%), allergy (2%), abrasion (1.5%), bruise (1.5%), hyperpigmentation (1.5%) and combinations (41.5%). Only 13.6% required treatments. There were no associations between the age of starting of removal, BMI, removal by the women themselves or professional personnel in clinics, or in beauty salons, or at home, methods used for removal, and occurrence of complications. CONCLUSION: Pubic hair removal starts in adolescence years and is associated with infrequent complications that require treatments.