Before puberty, the genital area of both boys and girls has very fine vellus hair, referred to as Tanner stage 1 hair. In response to rising levels of androgens as puberty begins, the skin of the genital area begins to produce thicker, often curlier, hair with a faster growth rate. The onset of pubic hair development is termed pubarche. The change for each hair follicle is relatively abrupt, but the extent of skin which grows androgenic hair gradually increases over several years., pubic hair first appears along the edges of the labia majora and spreads forward to the mons over the next 2 years. By 3 years into puberty roughly the time of menarche for most girls, the pubic triangle is densely filled. Within another 2 years pubic hair also grows from the near thighs in most young women, and sometimes a small amount up the line of the abdomen toward the umbilicus.

In boys, the first pubic hair appears as a few sparse hairs on the scrotum or at the upper base of the penis Within a year, hairs around the base of the penis are too numerous to count , and within 3 to 4 years, hair fills the pubic area , and by 5 years extends to the near thighs and upwards on the abdomen toward the umbilicus areas of the skin are similarly, though slightly less, e to androgens and androgenic hair typically appears somewhat later. In rough sequence of sensitivity to androgens and appearance of androgenic hair, are the armpits back, and buttocks.Although generally considered part of the process of puberty, pubarche is distinct and independent of the process of maturation of the gonads that leads to sexual maturation and fertility. Pubic hair develop from adrenal androgens alone, and can develop even when the ovaries or testes are defective and nonfunctional. See puberty for details.There is little if any difference in the capacity of male and female bodies to grow hair in response to androgens. The obvious sex-dimorphic difference in hair distribution in men and women is primarily a result of differences in the levels of androgen reached as maturity occurs.

Variations
Patterns of pubic hair vary among people. On some people, pubic hair is thick and/or coarse, while on others it may be sparse and/or fine.Pubic hair and axillary hair can vary in color considerably from the hair of the scalp. In most people it is darker, although it can also be lighter. On many men, pubic hair color is closest to the color of their beards (before their beards start turning white with age), which again can vary from the color of the hair on top of the head. On most women, the pubic patch is triangular and lies over the mons veneris, or mound of Venus. On many men, the pubic patch tapers upwards to a line of hai pointing towards the navel. with axillary ) hair, pubic hair i associated with a concentration of sebaceous glands in the area.Like other hair, pubic hair may be infested by lice, with a specific category of pubic lice.
Function of pubic hairIt is believed that the functions of pubic hair include the dissemination of pheromones and protection from the friction of sexual intercourse. Pubic hair and the growth between the tops of the legs and the buttocks, like under arm hair, helps to lubricate the areas, making movement smoother and more comforVarying attitudes can be inferred from the slang terms that are used for pubic hair: bush, bushpie, hairpie, furburger, muff, curlies, pubes, etc.

Francisco Goya, The Nude MajaIn Japanese drawings pubic hair is often omitted for legal reasons as for a long time the display of pubic hair was not legal. The interpretation of the law has since changed.n Islamic societies, removing the pubic hair is a religiously endorsed hygiene practice, ranked along with circumcision, clipping the fingernails, brushing the teeth, etc.Before the twentieth century, fine-art paintings and sculpture in the Western tradition usually depicted women without either pubic air follicle is relatively abrupt, but the extent of skin which grows androgenic hair gradually increases over several years., pubic hair first appears along the edges of the labia majora and spreads forward to the mons over the next 2 years. By 3 years into puberty roughly the time of menarche for most girls, the pubic triangle is densely filled. Within another 2 years pubic hair also grows from the near thighs in most young women, and sometimes a small amount up the line of the abdomen toward the umbilicus.In boys, the first pubic hair appears as a few sparse hairs on the scrotum or at the upper base of the penis Within a year, hairs around the base of the penis are too numerous to count , and within 3 to 4 years, hair fills the pubic area , and by 5 years extends to the near thighs and upwards on the abdomen toward the umbilicus areas of the skin are similarly, though slightly less, e to androgens and androgenic hair typically appears somewhat later. In rough sequence of sensitivity to androgens and appearance of androgenic hair, are the armpits back, and buttocks.Although generally considered part of the

hair or a visible vulva. John Ruskin, the famous author, artist, and art critic, was apparently accustomed to these depictions and unaware of the actual appearance of nude women. On his wedding night, he was allegedly so shocked by his discovery of his wife Effie's pubic hair that he rejected her, and the marriage was legally annulled. Francisco Goya's The Nude Maja was probably the first European painting to show woman's pubic hair, though others had hinted at it.Attitudes toward pubic hair are similar to those regarding axillary hair in that cultural and personal norms can be reflected in reactions ranging from pleasure to revulsion, both for the presence and absence of such hair. Before shaving became common in Western cultures the presence of such hair was viewed as a sign of sexual maturity. Now, to the contrary, the social requirement to shave such hair has now become for many a rite of passage. As with any sexually charged matter there are persons of both sexes who have strong points of view toward the culturally related issues associated with presence or lack of body hair.

Modification
Trimming or completely removing pubic hair has become a custom in many cultures. The methodology of removing hair is called depilation (when removing only the hair above the skin or epilation It is a common practice in the Islamic world for either sex men usually prefer trimming or shaving, women prefer complete removal by waxing or shaving and since the 1960s it has become popular to trim or completely remove pubic hair in the Western societies. The fashion designer Mary Quant was famously proud that her husband trimmed hers into a heart shape. In thethe louche Baron Martin Stillman von Brabus shaved the pubic hair of his lover Margaret, Duchess of Argyll into a representation of the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star.Different cultures have different shaving habits as well as different reasons for why they modify or remove pubic hair, which include:ni waxing - trimming the sides of the triangle so that pubic hair cannot be seen while wearing swimwearStrip - removing hair from both sides of labia majora, leaving a strip sometimes called a "landing strip" Brazilian Waxing - removing all pubic hair, or removing all except a small patch, line, or triangle over the clitoris or penis pubic hairOne who has a preference for hairless genitals is known as an acomoclitic. In naturism, nudists who remove all body hair are called "smoothies".

The trimming or removal of body hair by men is sometimes referred to as manscaping.Pubic hair is usually removed or reduced by shaving, but often for more long-term removal, waxing or use of a mechanical device is used to pull the hair out at the root.In the a permanent method of hair removal evolved with many opting for more permanent removal of pubic hair. This method involves the use of focused, high power light. This type of depilation falls under two main categories: intense pulsed light and laser epilation. IPL uses broad spectrum light, and laser epilation uses a very specific wavelength of light to destroy the hair-producing gland, the follicle. Unlike some temporary methods, light epilation does not cause razor bumps, ingrown hairs or dermatitis. It is still controversial as to which method, IPL or laser, is the most effective.

Removal methods
Methods to remove pubic hair include:Shaving - uses a razor to cut the hair at the level of the skin (or very close to itEpilators - these re-growth can sometimes be uncomfortable epilation It is a common practice in the Islamic world for either sex men usually prefer trimming or shaving, women prefer complete removal by waxing or shaving and since the 1960s it has become popular to trim or completely remove pubic hair in the Western societies. The fashion designer Mary Quant was famously proud that her husband trimmed hers into a heart shape. In thethe louche Baron Martin Stillman von Brabus shaved the pubic hair of his lover Margaret, Duchess of Argyll into a representation of the Mercedes-Benz 3-pointed star.Different cultures have different shaving habits as well as different reasons for why they modify or remove pubic hair, which include:ni waxing - trimming the sides of the triangle so that pubic hair cannot be seen while wearing swimwearStrip - removing hair from both sides of labia majora, leaving a strip sometimeand itchy, although continued removal reduces this effect.

Using hair removal creams or lotions in the pubic and chest areas is not advisable, as it may result in serious skin irritations.
(See the Smooth Naturist webpage for more advice on pubic shaving.