Shaving My Private Parts

Dear Brian,
You may have never encountered a problem like mine before, but I would appreciate any advice you can give me. I would like to shave my private parts [again], but I suffer from ingrown hairs, and can never seem to shave myself completely smooth. Is there any special product, creams, gels, or razors, that you would recommend to try?

I have been asked by a few guys if I'm shaved there, as it would facilitate oral sex and hygiene. I've even had a guy or two tell me he'd like to shave me there. However, I'm not sure I would totally trust someone else shaving me there for fear of among other things allowing myself to become potentially infected with HIV, or any other STD's.

I love the sensational coolness of being hairless down below, however, then the ingrown hairs develop, and the prickliness of new hair growth makes my personal enjoyment very short lived. Is there a good depilatory agent for that particular region, due to it's sensitive nature and the coarseness of the hair itself? Thanks for listening, and I look forward to your answer. Sincerely,
- Hairlessly Smooth Wannabe

Dear Hairlessly Smooth Wannabe,
Having shaved my genital area (once), and vowed never to do it again (the itching and burning, and those pesky ingrown hairs), I feel your pain. You might want to visit folica.com, which advertises a product called Tend Skin that they claim "eliminates razor burn, bumps, and ingrown hairs in 24 hours." A 4 ounce bottle sells for $20 (US). They also offer the Emjoi Optima Hair Removal System which they claim removes hair more quickly than other razors and will leave your skin "smooth and silky." It sells for $99 (US). I have never tried any of these products, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the manufacturer's claims. Similar products can probably be found at more sophisticated (gay or sexually oriented) beauty supply stores.

There are other options, of course. Laser surgery usually requires five treatments before the hair is permanently removed. The cost varies depending on the body part. Eyebrows generally cost $50 to $80 and hair removal on the back costs anywhere from $200 to $600. I would expect hair removal on the more sensitive and private area you have in mind to cost closer to the latter. A less permanent solution is waxing, which would likely set you back no more than a laser treatment.

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