By: Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer
Published: 03/18/2013 06:37 PM EDT on MyHealthNewsDaily
Brazilian waxing and other methods of removing pubic hair may increase the risk of catching certain skin infections through sex, preliminary research from France suggests.
Specifically, the study looked at the risk of catching Molluscum contagiosum,a skin infection that causes raised, pearl-like spots. The infection can spread through any type of contact and is most commonly seen in children, but in recent years, cases of Molluscum contagiosum spread through sex have been on the rise in certain parts of the world.
Researchers at a private health clinic in Nice, France wondered whether the increasing popularity of pubic hair removal may have played a role in this increase.
Of the 30 patients (6 women and 24 men) who visited their clinic with sexually transmitted Molluscum contagiosum in 2011 and 2012, 93 percent had removed their pubic hair, either through shaving (70 percent), clipping (13 percent) or waxing (10 percent). Ten of the 30 patients had at least one other skin condition, such as warts or a bacterial infection.
The researchers only found an association, and cannot prove that removing pubic hair increases the risk of contracting Molluscum contagiosum or other skin infections. The study was limited in that is was small and did not include a comparison group of people who are skin-infection free, so more research is needed to investigate the link.
However, experts not involved with the study say that, in theory, removing pubic hair could increase the risk of genital skin infections.
Small nicks or cuts in the skin, which could occur with hair removal, can make it easier for viruses to establish infections, researchers say.
"The body has a number of defense mechanisms to prevent infection. One of those mechanisms is normal, healthy skin," said Dr. Robert Brodell, chief of the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Division of Dermatology. Aberrations in the skin "open the door for catching the infection," Brodell said.
Dr. Jonathan Zenilman, chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, agreed and said that the herpes virus is known to be more transmissible if small trauma occurs to the skin during sex.
"From my standpoint, it makes sense," Zenilman said of the findings. However, he cautioned that the new study is not conclusive. For instance, it could be that other factors shared by the patients besides pubic hair removal increased their risk Molluscum contagiosum infection.
Certain factors increase the risk of catching Molluscum contagiosum, such as having another sexually transmitted infection that causes open sores, or sharing towels, sheets and clothing, said study researcher Solveig Cunningham, an assistant professor of global health at Emory University in Atlanta. "Hair removal may magnify the risk of MC infections in all of these settings," Cunningham said, referring to the skin infection.
Dr. Mary Gail Mercurio, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said she often sees Molluscum contagiosum in people who remove pubic hair.
"I instruct the patients to stop shaving until the condition is brought under control, because shaving just spreads it further," Mercurio said. Further studies comparing different methods of hair removal may shed light on the link, she said. For instance, laser hair removal would not be expected to increase the risk of infection because it doesn't abrade the skin.
It may be that shaving increases the risk of Molluscum contagiosum because the razor spreads the virus from one part of the body to another, Brodell said.
Brodell said he has not seen the link in his practice, but plans to ask people with Molluscum contagiosum infections if they've shaved in the recent past.
The new study will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Pass it on: Shaving and waxing may increase the risk of the skin infection Molluscum contagiosum.
Editor's note: This article was updated on March 19 to include quotes from Prof. Cunningham.
Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. Follow MyHealthNewsDaily @MyHealth_MHND, Facebook & Google+.
Copyright 2013 MyHealthNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.