Shaving Below: Penis Skin Care

Obviously, guys like to compare themselves to other guys, and that includes the penis. Whether it’s a quick glance in the locker room or observations from watching porn, men like to know how they stack up. And one thing such impromptu surveys indicate is that there are actually quite a few guys who are into pubic shaving. Whether it’s just keeping the pubic bush neatly trimmed or a full-scale shaving of the penis and balls, more and more men are doing it. And assuming a guy takes proper care, it’s not going to create any penis care issues. That said, dudes who try shaving do want to be sure they take proper steps to protect the delicate penis skin.

Start with a trim

Guys who have (or have had) a beard know that just taking a razor and hacking away at a thick bush of hair is not the best plan. Before getting down to the actual shaving, a guy should trim down that thick bush of pubic hair to about ¼ inch or so. The best way to do this is to use a pair of scissors. Don’t worry about an even trim; just use it to get the majority of the hair down to a manageable length.

Some guys find it awkward to do this standing up. It may be easier to lie down and hold a hand mirror in one hand to help guide along. Men who have grown a significant gut may find lying down helps to expose more of the pubic hair area.

After finishing the pubic bush, use the scissors to carefully trim the hair on the balls and shaft. Again, at this point a guy is not trying to get shaved down to the skin - just cutting down long hairs which might get caught in a razor and cause an uncomfortable tugging. Again, trimming here can put a guy in awkward positions; using mirrors to see what is what is very helpful.

Pre-soak

After the hair is trimmed to a manageable length, pre-soak the areas that are to be shaved using warm soap and water. Some men prefer to shave in the shower or bathtub, which has the advantage of keeping the skin moist as he goes along. Since penis skin is delicate, this is especially recommended.

Lather up

Penis skin can be very sensitive, but in most cases using shaving cream rather than soapy lather is better. Find shaving cream intended for sensitive skin that does not include harsh chemicals or fragrances.

Prep the penis and shave carefully

There isn’t much hair on the penis itself, but what is there can be shaved more easily if the penis is erect. Be very careful and don’t use a dull razor. For the balls, using an ice cube or laying them on a cold surface tightens them so that shaving is easier. In both cases, apply as little pressure as possible. Rinse and lather up as necessary to keep the skin smooth and avoid nicks on the penis and balls. Take care with the pubic bush, but it is generally not as sensitive as the penis and balls.

Take good care after shaving

Use a soft towel to pat (not rub) the penis and surrounding areas dry. Once all is dry, the skin will then need to be re-moisturized. Shaving and washing can deplete the penis skin of oils that keep it hydrated.

Penis skin responds better after shaving if a guy uses a first level penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) with excellent moisturizing agents. Look for a crème with both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) for best moisturizing results. It also helps if the crème contains a powerful antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, which helps strengthen the skin by fighting excess free radicals.

Is Shaving an Itchy Penis Solution?

In recent years, some papers and magazines have reported an encouraging theory concerning itchy penis problems. Maintaining good penis health helps avoid this problem, but even the most hygienic man still suffers from an itchy penis occasionally. Anything that helps decrease the chance of an itchy male appendage is welcome news. But is there truth to this particular theory, which holds that the increasing popularity of pubic hair shaving is impacting the need to scratch?

An old custom

Of course, people have been de-nuding their nether regions for centuries, with it documented at least as far back as the ancient Egyptians. But, if "trend" stories can be believed, it does seem that there has been an upturn in the amount of pubic shaving in recent years, in both women and men.

Why shaving?

But why should removing pubic hair have a positive impact on an itchy penis? There are two general lines of thought in this area.

One, by shaving away the pubic hair, a man is "cooling off" his midsection a bit. Less heat generates less sweat, which in turn brings less bacteria. Bacteria cause rashes and irritation that initiate the need to itch.

Two, shaving not only shaves away any pubic lice which might be in the area (and responsible for some of the most persistent genital itching), it also removes their "habitat" and thus keeps them from returning to create problems anew.

These are good explanations. Unfortunately, there are some flaws in this reasoning which may impact how much good shaving might do.

The flaws

So what are the flaws in the arguments in favor of pubic shaving to reduce the likelihood of an itchy penis?

Starting with the "cooling off" theory, there is definitely some validity to it. A shorn manhood area is indeed cooler, and therefore may reduce sweat-related itchiness. However, some men find that the act of shaving actually enhances itchiness, from cuts or scrapes. Waxing may eliminate this, but even then the absence of a thatch of hair removes a protective layer from the skin. Exposed, it may react negatively from rubbing against underwear or trousers, or to chemicals in soaps, cleansers and detergents. So it seems that for some men there is a trade-off which may negate the anti-itching gains experienced.

What about the lice issue? Indeed, one reason why shaving in far-ago Egypt was popular was the belief that it helped eliminate nasty crabs. And it is true that shaving (or even better still, waxing) is likely to remove some of the nasty little buggers from the skin. However, it is not likely to remove them all. Certainly reducing the number of pubic lice present would help to reduce itching, but it would not eliminate it. More importantly, the lice left behind would continue to reproduce. Reducing pubic lice is good, but ultimately a man really needs to take steps to get rid of them entirely.

Basically, shaving may play a role in diminishing the problem of an itchy penis, but more conclusive steps may need to be taken to truly address the issue. Certainly using a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to help maintain the overall health of the penis should be part of any battle against an itchy penis. Itchiness is often related to the general health of the penis skin. Using a crème that can create a moisture lock by combining a high-end emollient (like Shea butter) with a powerful hydrator (like vitamin E) is one way to keep the penis hydrated and supple. For extra help, be sure the crème also includes vitamin C; as a key component of collagen, vitamin C gives needed tone and elasticity to penis skin.