We Need to Stop Shaving, Ahem, Down There

It's time to draw a Maginot Line around bikini lines and end the war on pubic hair, writes Emily Gibson in the Guardian. Whether driven by fashion, smooth-skinned celebrities, or an errant view of hygiene, it's a trend that leaves people susceptible to infections and suffering from chaffed and itchy skin. Whatever the reason for the fight against pubes, "it is a sadly misconceived war," Gibson writes.

For one thing, the irritation associated with frequent hair removal makes your nether regions more at risk of staph and other infections. There's even evidence that shaving puts people at more risk for sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes. Pubic hair also protects the body from friction that can hurt the skin and is a natural part of growing up—"certainly nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about," she writes. Read the full column here. (More shaving stories.)