Is shaving too often bad for you?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:01)
Late night bites with friends?
Already hard to beat. That first too hot bite of fries you couldn't wait for followed by ice cold Pepsi. Now, that hits different. Suddenly, the energy kicks back in, the night goes longer, and the laughs don't stop, because Pepsi brings out more flavor, more fun, and more of the moment. Food deserves Pepsi. Grab a Pepsi Zero Sugar today.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:28)
This episode is brought to you by Orgain.
Orgain creatine monohydrate helps improve muscle size, strength, and power when combined with a regular exercise and weight training routine. It supports brain health, and it's certified with informed choice, so you can compete with confidence. Studies show that creatine may support brain health in the vegetarians and aging individuals. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:57)
This episode is brought to you by Rumchata, a delicious creamy blend of horchata with rum. It's best enjoyed over ice or in your coffee. Rumchata, delivering vacation vibes, any way or anywhere you drink it. Find out more at rumchata.com. Drink responsibly. Caribbean rum with real dairy cream, natural and artificial flavors, alcohol, 13.75% by volume, 27.5 proof. Copyright 2025 Agave Loco Brands, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all rights reserved.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:26)
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses come with open ear audio, so you can listen to your favorite music without blocking out the world around you.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:33)
Hey Meta, play Gorgeous. Here's Gorgeous by Doja Cat.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:38)
You can also ask Meta AI questions.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:41)
Hey Meta, when's Doja Cat's next concert?

**SPEAKER_2** (1:43)
Doja Cat is playing at the Los Angeles Theater next Tuesday.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:47)
Sweet.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:49)
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Available at Ray-Ban stores and other authorized retailers.

**Joseph Chance** (2:00)
Is shaving too often risky?
Thanks for asking.
There's a lot of popular ideas out there about body hair removal. Shave too much and the hair becomes thicker. Wax and it will gradually start thinning out. It can be hard to know who or what to believe. Both women and men increasingly spend a lot of their time and money removing body hair, even though it acts as a barrier to bacteria and sexually transmitted diseases in the case of pubic hair. Shaving with a razor, using an electric epilator and waxing all have their own pros and cons. But let's take a moment to consider the rarely discussed topic whether any of them pose health risks. Shaving, for example, is perhaps the most popular hair removal method due to how quick, easy and cheap it is. Using a razor is actually quite harsh on the skin, though, and tends to dry it out in the long run. Depilatory creams are a gentler alternative, but they also contain certain hair softening chemicals which can irritate the skin, or worse, trigger an allergic reaction.
People with blood circulation problems should avoid hot wax. If you have varicose veins, for example, there's a risk of vein dilation, especially if you wax regularly. If you still want to wax, you should discuss it with your doctor first, and inform your beauty therapist if you choose to go to a salon. Waxing can also cause burns, just like pulsed light or laser hair removal. Bear in mind that certain devices can only be used by dermatologists. I heard that bikini waxing can be particularly harmful, is that true? Indeed it is. And the more frequent and thorough the hair removal, shaving or trimming, the higher the risk. That's because of the microscopic wounds it can cause, which act as an entry point to the body for germs, leaving us susceptible to infections like chlamydia, herpes or gonorrhea. The risk of urinary infections and yeast infections is also higher. Does frequent hair removal lead to ingrown hairs? It does, which is why dermatologists recommend exfoliating before hair removal to remove dead skin and refine the skin. That should ideally be done a few days beforehand. Ingrown hairs can sometimes become infected and even create an abscess. Applying a bandage with hexamidine or diluted hydrogen peroxide for several hours on the ingrown hair can effectively help it to pierce the skin. Don't hesitate to ask for advice at your local pharmacy. Generally speaking, people don't think enough about disinfecting the equipment they're using for hair removal. Regular hydration, including the bikini area, also helps to avoid dry skin with pores that clog more easily. There are also specific creams for ingrown hairs. After hair removal or shaving, you should really wait at least a day before exposing yourself to the sun or swimming. That's because sea salt or chlorine from the swimming pool can cause irritation. There you have it.