Dakota Johnson has sparked renewed discussion about intimate grooming after revealing a surprising decision she made while preparing for her role in Fifty Shades of Grey.
The 37-year-old actress, who portrayed Anastasia Steele in the 2015 film, explained that she chose to grow her natural pubic hair rather than rely on a costume alternative for certain scenes.
Her admission has prompted a wider conversation about whether women actually need to remove their pubic hair and what happens when they decide to stop.
Now, gynecologist Dr. Holly W. Cummings has addressed some of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding intimate grooming, including concerns about cleanliness, odour and personal health.
What actually happens if you stop shaving your pubic hair?
According to Dr. Cummings, allowing pubic hair to grow naturally is completely normal and does not make someone unhygienic. In fact, the hair serves several protective functions.
Pubic hair helps reduce friction against sensitive skin, including during physical activity and sexual contact.
It can also help protect the delicate skin around the vulva from irritation and act as a partial barrier against external particles.
Rather than being something the body needs to get rid of, pubic hair is a natural feature of human anatomy.
Dr. Cummings explained that there is no medical requirement for women to remove it.
She also noted that researchers have explored whether pubic hair plays a role in sexual attraction and sensation, although those potential effects are not fully understood.
What did Dakota Johnson reveal about Fifty Shades of Grey?
Johnson discussed her experience during an appearance on First We Feast, where she reflected on filming the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie.
Her character, Anastasia Steele, was portrayed as someone who had not previously undergone intimate waxing.
Rather than use a prosthetic or artificial hairpiece, Johnson decided to grow her own pubic hair for the role.
She explained that the decision was connected to the character's appearance in the film.
When asked whether she had considered using a merkin, the term for a pubic wig, the actress made clear that she had not.
Her remarks attracted attention because of the continuing social expectations surrounding women's body hair.
Does not shaving cause bad smells or poor hygiene?
One of the most common misconceptions about pubic hair is that keeping it naturally makes the genital area dirty.
Dr. Cummings explained that this is not the case.
Pubic hair can trap sweat, natural oils and bacteria, which means the surrounding skin still benefits from ordinary washing.
However, having pubic hair does not automatically cause unpleasant odours or infections.
The vagina is self-cleaning, while the external genital area, known as the vulva, can generally be cleaned gently with water.
Harsh cleansers, fragranced products and internal vaginal washing can sometimes cause irritation or disrupt the normal vaginal environment.
Persistent unusual odour, itching, pain or abnormal discharge should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than assumed to be caused by pubic hair.
Could shaving actually cause more problems?
While shaving is a personal choice, removing pubic hair can sometimes lead to uncomfortable skin problems.
These include razor burn, small cuts, ingrown hairs, irritation and inflammation around hair follicles.
Broken skin can also provide an opportunity for bacteria to enter, potentially causing a localised infection.
Dr. Cummings said she generally prefers trimming to close shaving because trimming shortens the hair without removing it directly against the skin.
This can reduce the likelihood of accidental cuts and some forms of irritation.
However, people who choose to shave can take precautions to lower the risks.
What is the safest way to groom pubic hair?
For people who prefer a shorter appearance, careful trimming with clean equipment is generally a lower-risk option than shaving very closely.
Those who shave should use a clean, sharp razor and avoid sharing shaving equipment.
Shaving in the direction of hair growth can help reduce irritation and ingrown hairs.
Using a suitable shaving product and taking time around sensitive skin may also lower the risk of cuts.
For waxing, Dr. Cummings recommends choosing an experienced professional who follows appropriate hygiene procedures.
She particularly warns against double-dipping applicators into shared wax containers because of the risk of cross-contamination.
Why do women apologise to gynecologists for not shaving?
Dr. Cummings revealed that patients sometimes apologise for the appearance of their pubic hair before undergoing examinations.
She believes this reflects longstanding social pressures and beauty expectations rather than medical concerns.
Attitudes towards intimate grooming vary between individuals, cultures and generations.
Although complete or partial hair removal has become common in some societies, it is not a medical necessity.
Healthcare professionals are concerned with a patient's health, not whether they have followed a particular grooming trend.
Dr. Cummings has encouraged women to feel comfortable attending appointments without changing their usual grooming habits beforehand.
Is it better to shave or leave pubic hair natural?
There is no single grooming approach that everyone needs to follow.
Some people prefer to leave their hair completely natural, while others choose to trim, shave or wax.
Each approach comes with different practical considerations, but leaving pubic hair intact is not inherently unhygienic.
For people who regularly experience shaving irritation or ingrown hairs, reducing the frequency of hair removal or switching to trimming may help.
Ultimately, the decision is a matter of personal comfort and preference.
As Dr. Cummings emphasised, women do not need to apologise to their gynecologist for having natural pubic hair.
And Johnson's candid admission has helped bring renewed attention to a simple point: intimate grooming choices do not need to be dictated by social expectations.
Source: VT, October 10, 2026, reporting on Dakota Johnson's First We Feast appearance and guidance from Dr. Holly W. Cummings published by Every Stage Health.
