Dakota Johnson ditched shaving for Fifty Shades—and a gynaecologist says it is not medically necessary
Updated 17:58 9 Oct 2026 GMT+1Published 11:17 9 Oct 2026 GMT+1
The actress explained that the character she was playing was 'supposed to have never had a wax'
A gynaecologist has shut down the myths surrounding pubic hair after Dakota Johnson admitted she grew hers out for one of her most famous movie roles.
The 37-year-old revealed she ditched her razor for the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie in 2015, where she appeared fully nude while playing Anastasia Steele.
She made the admission during the latest episode of Hot Ones Versus on Wednesday (7 October).
The star explained: “I was full frontal, and she was supposed to have never had a wax.”
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Anne Hathaway, who she was in the episode with, asked: “And you didn’t wanna use a merkin?” to which Johnson simply responded: “No.”
Even though it shouldn’t be one because women should just be able to do whatever they want with their bodies, the whole ‘to shave or not to shave’ has become an ongoing debate.
The actress revealed she grew out her pubic hair for Fifty Shades of Grey (Universal Pictures)
Weighing in on the conversation in an article on Every Stage Health, Dr. Holly W. Cummings explained that despite pubic hair being so natural for women, some people can be very emotional about it, with these feelings being deeply rooted in societal expectations and myths.
In case you weren’t aware, pubic hair actually has a very important purpose in protecting us, just like the hair around your ears, nose, and eyes.
Dr Cummings outlined: “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.”
Researchers even suspect that it can play a role in sexual attraction and pleasure.
The expert 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.”
Shutting down another bizarre myth, the gynaecologist affirmed that, long story short, there is absolutely nothing ‘dirty or unclean about pubic hair,’ and there is no medical reason to remove it.
A gynaecologist has assured that there's nothing unclean about pubic hair (Getty Stock Image)
As per Healthline, if you are simply letting it grow, you don’t really need to do anything in terms of maintenance.
If you do want to keep on top of it but without shaving, you can trim or shape it to your liking using a pube clipper, trimmer, or haircutting shears.
The website explains that if you use scissors, it’s important to disinfect them first and designate the tool for that job.
The experts advise: “Don’t use it on anything else. For your clipper or trimmer, follow the manufacturer’s directions for keeping it clean. Don’t share it.”
If you choose to remove the hair, you have to take precautions to ensure you’re doing away with the hair in the safest way - and we all know there a whole lot of options out there.
Johnson's admission has reignited the conversation (Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Dr Cummings explained: “Trimming is the safest option because it shortens your pubic hair without cutting close to the skin, which can lead to injury or infection.”
Another option is waxing; however, it can be painful, as the expert advised: “There is a risk of burns and general irritation, plus small cuts and other skin damage you can’t see.
“If you choose waxing or sugaring, go to a licensed professional with lots of experience.”
She warned that she’s not the biggest fan of shaving with a razor as it ‘can hurt sensitive skin, leading to rashes, ingrown hairs, and infection’.
The gynaecologist concluded: “If you choose to shave, use a new, clean razor every time, as used razors can carry bacteria. It’s best to shave in the direction of hair growth if you can, but that can be hard to tell. It’s common for pubic hair to grow in multiple directions.”
Featured Image Credit: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
Topics: Women's Health, Life, Real Life, Celebrity
