As Miley Cyrus bares her unshaven bikini line in the latest edition of Wonderland, pubic hair is officially back in vogue. But the trend toward a more natural look has brought an unexpected problem: pain from longer pubic hairs, a phenomenon social media users have dubbed 'whisker fatigue.'
What Is Whisker Fatigue?
The term was coined after TikTok creator Jules asked: 'Does anyone else’s bush hurt when it gets too long? It feels like when you take down a ponytail after having it in all day but with spikes.' Her video garnered 6.9 million views, with commenters calling the name 'diabolical but unfortunately accurate.' Thousands reported experiencing similar discomfort, describing it as a 'bruised,' 'stinging,' or 'irritating' sensation.
Why Pubic Hair Can Be Painful
'Very long pubic hair can become uncomfortable because the hairs are coarse and curly,' Dr. Nikki Ramskill, founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, told Metro. 'They can then bend back on themselves, tug at the skin, or get caught in clothing and underwear. This constant pulling can feel like a sharp, irritating pain, a bit like when the hair on your head gets tugged.' She added: 'When hairs are pulled or bent, the tiny nerves around each follicle get stimulated, which is what causes pain or sensitivity.' With 32% of Brits preferring a low-maintenance approach, many may experience this discomfort.
Other Causes of Pubic Hair Pain
According to Dr. Ramskill, not shaving for months increases the chance of ingrown hairs. 'These can become sore, inflamed and possibly infected. It happens when long hairs curl back into the skin, causing red, painful bumps.' Long pubic hair can also cause chafing and irritation during exercise, and tugging during sex. Additionally, an overgrown bush 'can trap sweat, bacteria, and discharge, making the area feel less fresh.'
How to Prevent Whisker Fatigue
The simple solution is to keep pubic hair trimmed to a comfortable length. 'That said, pubic hair itself isn’t unhealthy, it actually plays a protective role, reducing friction and providing a barrier against bacteria,' Dr. Ramskill noted. A trimmed style is preferred by 46% of women and is the most-liked style by both men and women, with only 23% preferring to be completely shaved. 'Whether someone chooses to trim, remove or leave their pubic hair is a personal choice, but if it starts to feel uncomfortable, trimming can help relieve the problem.'
Dealing with Ingrown Hairs
Coarse, curly hair in the pubic area is prone to ingrown hairs, especially with waxing, plucking, or shaving. To avoid them: don’t shave too close, use a blunt razor, shave daily, or scratch ingrown hairs. Do: wet skin with warm water and use shaving gel, shave in the direction of hair growth, use few strokes, rinse the razor after each stroke, apply a cool cloth after shaving, use an exfoliating scrub, try hair removal cream or laser treatment. See a GP if the area is very painful, hot, swollen, or if you have a fever.
