Reason why we have hair ‘down there’ as Dakota Johnson admits to not shaving for role - sparking debate

Dakota Johnson’s latest admission about choosing not to shave for Fifty Shades of Grey seems to have bizarrely sent the internet into a spiral.

During her recent appearance on Hot Ones Versus on Wednesday (7 October), the American actress, 37, shared that she embraced her pubic hair for the first Fifty Shades movie in 2015, where she played the role of Anastasia Steele, which involved being fully nude at times.

She recalled: "I grew my pubic hair. For Fifty Shades, the first one, I was full frontal, and she was supposed to have never had a wax.”

When asked if she considered using a merkin instead, the actress simply said: "No.”

The clip has since done the rounds online, sparking yet another unfair debate about women’s bodies.

Although we all know that whether we choose to shave or not is frankly nobody’s business, it’s a topic that always seems to bring in a mixed bag of opinions.

The actress revealed she chose not to shave for the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie (Universal Pictures)

In response to Johnson’s admission, one X user simply wrote: “Icon,” while another quipped: “The most outrageous thing I've ever heard.”

A third pointed out: “Growing pubic hair for a role is just body prep, no more ridiculous than a beard or a fake tan. What makes it a punchline is that we still treat female body hair as a confession. Would the same answer land differently from a male actor?”

As for those of us who aren’t A-List actors, there are still a plethora of reasons why we might choose not to shave down there.

From less irritation to fewer ingrown hairs and simply saving time, there are a lot of pros to ditching your razor.

Not to mention that pubic hair is actually there for a reason and serves a pretty important purpose.

Contrary to misogynistic myths, growing out your pubic hair isn't dirty or unhygienic at all.

To shave or not to shave is a question that seems to cause debate (Getty Stock Image)

Healthline points out that, like other hair on your body, your pubes trap sweat, oil, and bacteria, so they might have a slightly stronger odor than other areas of your body.

However, as long as you wash regularly, this shouldn’t be cause for concern whatsoever.

Like hair elsewhere on your body, such as your eyelashes or nose, it also provides a physical barrier between the skin and the outside world.

It traps dirt, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms, while your hair follicles also produce sebum, an oil that prevents bacteria from reproducing.

This means that it may help protect against certain infections, including cellulitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginitis, and yeast infections.

Finally, it reduces friction during sex, as the skin on your genital region is delicate, so the hair acts like a protective buffer.

Healthline reports that some sources even refer to pubic hair as a ‘dry lubricant’ because it’s easier to rub hair against hair than it is to rub skin against skin.

Johnson explained that the character was supposed to have 'never had a wax' (TheStewartofNY/Getty Images)

On top of that, pubic hair may also keep the genitals warm, which is, of course, an important factor in sexual arousal.

In an article on Every Stage Health, gynaecologist Dr. Holly W. Cummings explained: “It keeps the skin of your vulva warm and moisturized. It protects the delicate skin from friction during sexual activity. It keeps dust, dirt, and germs away from the vagina to prevent infection.”

She added: “What’s more, the vagina is a self-cleaning organ. If you sense a little body odor, it’s because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria. To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water.”

So there you have it, to bush or not to bush - the choice is yours!