Did people shave pubic hair in the 1970s?

Author: Gretchen Berge  |  Last update: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Pubic-hair removal was considered “a non-necessity by most Europeans and Americans” by the 18th century. By the 19th century, it was back in style thanks to a new safety razor from Gillette. The free love movement of the 1960s and 70s freed the bush once more, then the 80s and 90s brought a grooming boom.

When did shaving pubic hair become a thing?

A chicken and egg situation to be sure. During World War II, with nylon scarce and women encouraged not to wear them, leg shaving becomes more popular. With bathing suits getting ever smaller and the bikini cropping up in the 1940s, razors become more likely to be applied to our personal parts as well.

Why were men in the 1970s so hairy?

The hippie movement, with its emphasis on peace, love, and personal freedom, played a huge role in popularizing long hair. It was a visual way for young people to signal their opposition to the Vietnam War and the conservative values they associated with their parents and mainstream society.

Did people shave their pubes in the Middle Ages?

A Cultural History of Hair in the Middle Ages suggests that it was the fashion for European aristocratic women to remove their pubic hair, though Penny Howell Jolly notes that “visual evidence of such…

Was pubic hair popular in the 80s?

The shift every decade or so in the portrayal of what amount or style of pubic hair is “sexy” (by Playboy's standards) is drastic. In the seventies and eighties, an all-natural look is shown, although in the eighties there seems to have been some trimming done around the bikini lines (Playboy 2013).

I’m Sorry - Pubic Hair Debate | truTV

What pubic hair do men find most attractive?

Seventeen per cent prefer a full bush, 18% prefer the area bare and most prefer a polite “clean-up” of the general genital vicinity. More than 71% of male respondents say they've never been turned off by a partner's pubic or butt hair.

What cultures don't shave pubic hair?

Japan: Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched. It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance.

Which culture removes pubic hair?

While religion has not yet been examined related to pubic hair removal, in Muslim culture today, both men and women are encouraged to remove armpit and pubic hair [13]. A recent study in Turkey found that the vast majority of Turkish Cypriot women regularly removed their pubic hair [14].

Why did humans keep pubic hair?

The skin in the area around the genitals is very sensitive. Pubic hair can naturally reduce friction associated with the movements during sexual intercourse and other activities wherein chafing may occur. Pubic hair can also help stop bacteria and other microorganisms from entering the body.

Do most girls shave down there?

Pubic hair grooming, described as partial or complete removal of pubic hair, is considered a prevalent practice in both men and women [1]. Notably, The prevalence of this practice is reportedly high in groomers with more than 80% of women actively engaging in it, as evidenced by multiple studies [1,2,3,4,5].

When did body hair become unattractive?

The norm to remove leg hair for women became very strong in the 1940s, more specifically, it moved from fad to custom in a matter of months in the early 1940s.

Why did everyone have big hair in the 70s?

Long Hair. The hippie culture of the 60s carried over to the 70s; as the decade fine-tuned what would become known as one of its signature hair styles. Natural, long hair was both a political symbol of rebellion, but it was also just plain popular. The long hair, won't-care attitude found its way to every hair-type.

When did hairy chests go out of style?

Because of chest hair's correlation to higher levels of testosterone, these codes tend to be rooted in virility: namely sex and dominance. As a result, a hairy chest has flitted between sexy and seedy depending on the decade – big bushes were everywhere in the 70s yet by the 90s they had all but disappeared.

Why do men prefer shaved pubic hair?

Therefore, the primary reason for the male preference for a hairless body is the preconceived expectation towards women regarding youth and femininity. There is a socially constructed, artificial link between shaving and attractiveness/femininity.

What does full moon pubic hair look like?

The Full Moon is a newer style that's been growing in popularity over the past year or two. The look entails removing the hair from the sides, top, and back while grooming and waxing the hair at the front of the pubic mound into a circle using a stencil and high-precision waxing techniques.

What is best to remove pubic hair?

Just be sure to use shaving cream and a sharp razor. Shaving doesn't make hair thicker or darker, though it might look that way. If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax. A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface.

What happens if you never shave your pubic hair as a male?

However, shaving and trimming are techniques you can easily master at home. It's also okay to decide not to shave your pubic hair at all! It's quite normal to let it grow out, though you must wash and dry it properly. Otherwise, you can cause itchiness and rashes from dried-out skin or clogged pores.

Why is pubic hair arousing?

Pubic hair serves to trap pheromones; it might also serve as an important visual cue, giving information on the sexual maturity status of a potential partner, as well as focusing attention on erogenous zones - kind of like the baboon's bright red bum.

Does pubic hair hold odor?

If you sense a little body odor, it's because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria.

Do celebrities remove pubic hair?

Have you ever wondered how celebrities remove pubic hair? And maintain that flawless look on the red carpet, even when rocking a daring bikini? The secret's out: laser hair removal is likely their weapon of choice for achieving long-lasting smoothness.

Is female pubic hair unsanitary?

Before we dig into these tips, we want to dispel any myths that having pubic hair is “unhygienic.” From a health perspective, it's completely sanitary to keep your natural hair down there, should you choose.

When did women's shaving legs become a thing?

In the 1920s, the new fashion for sleeveless tops and short dresses meant that the legs and armpits of American women were now visible in social situations, and advertisers seized the opportunity to encourage women to shave their legs and their armpits.

Do Jews shave their pubic hair?

Rather, it may be trimmed so as not to interfere with one's eating and drinking. The Torah does not prohibit a man removing body hair, including armpit hair and pubic hair, but it is prohibited rabbinically. If a man removed this hair, he would be given stripes for acting rebelliously.

Why don't Koreans shave pubic hair?

In Korea, pubic hair has long been considered a sign of fertility and sexual health, and it has been reported in the mid-2010s that some Korean women were undergoing pubic hair transplants, to add extra hair, especially when affected by the condition of pubic atrichosis (or hypotrichosis), which is thought to affect a ...

Do Muslims shave pubic hair?

Sunnah is the prophet Muhammad's way of life and viewed as a model for Muslims. Muslim men and women are required by the Sunnah to shave their pubic hair and axillae. Also, Muslim men are not supposed to shave their beards, but are encouraged to shave their moustaches, according to the Sunnah.

Previous article
Can you wash your hair with just conditioner?
Next article
How can I sleep to look good in the morning?