The health effects of hair removal

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The attraction to hairless bodies is nothing new. The ancient Greeks and Romans prized smooth skin, and their art rarely depicted body hair, especially pubic hair, until the 19th century. Today there is a booming industry in waxing, electrolysis and laser, alongside at-home shaving and depilatory creams. The question worth answering for patients who ask is whether any of it actually harms their health, particularly the skin microbiome, the natural community of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live on the skin.

The short answer is that the evidence for harm is thin. Some studies have suggested a link between pubic hair removal and sexually transmissible infections, but they are methodologically weak and do not adequately control for sexual activity. Removing axillary hair has been associated with changes in body odour, and the evidence actually leans towards improvement. In one study, raters found the shaved side more pleasant and less intense, though the effect was short-lived and depended on whether the person shaved regularly¹.

The risk is rarely the hairlessness itself. It is the method.

Nose hair is a more interesting case. People with alopecia, and those losing body hair during chemotherapy, often report increased nasal discharge, which suggests nose hairs help trap and redirect secretions. There are concerns that removing nasal hair could raise rates of nasal allergies and asthma, but the evidence is limited and there is no clear link to viral infection².

So the risk is rarely the hairlessness itself. It is the method. Waxing should be done somewhere hygienic, and double-dipping spatulas is a red flag. The patients worth counselling are those with fragile skin, whether from retinoids, diabetes or immune deficiency, for whom any technique that risks tearing the skin can lead to infection or scarring. For pubic hair specifically, injury is the main concern, and self-removal while lying down carries more risk.

The American Academy of Dermatology sets out the pros and cons of six common methods, from shaving to depilation, and most of the advice comes down to hygiene and common sense³. The message for patients is not about whether to remove hair, but about doing it safely, which matters most for anyone whose skin is already compromised.