# I have to shave what?!?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547 "2003-01-14T17:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/1 "2003-01-14T17:54:31Z")
So, I’m off to the Doctor for a little “minor surgery”. Yup - it’s time for the “Big V”. The problem is in the office’s little pamphlet that describes the stuff I have to do in preparation. These steps include shaving Mr Happy’s set of luggage, so to speak. Just how do I do this? My triple-bladded Gillette seems a bit like a weapon of massive destruction in this sensitive environment. This may be a IMHO but theoretically there’s a “best” answer to this so I’ll start it here. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/2 "2003-01-14T17:56:51Z")
Perhaps you could go to a beautician for a “crack back and sack wax”. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/3 "2003-01-14T17:58:46Z")
Pluck. Because the big V’s just not painful enough… ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/4 "2003-01-14T18:15:22Z")
Trim as much as possible with scissors, then shave the rest. Carefully. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/5 "2003-01-14T18:19:09Z")
Sounds impossible. Yikes!!! Scissors? Could we have some input from someone who has done this, please…successfully! I might add. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/6 "2003-01-14T18:22:08Z")
I’d go with Nair, if I were in your situation. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/7 "2003-01-14T18:25:02Z")
Well, I have done it (the top half of the environment, anyway), and while I don’t use scissors, I use clippers to take care of most of it, then a blade to get the rest. If you’re talking about the area underneath, I’d recommend clippers if you have them (which it sounds like you don’t), or even an electric shaver. ---
**Author:** ![royjwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@royjwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/royjwood)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/8 "2003-01-14T18:31:28Z")
I recently experienced an angiogram, in which they forced me to shave, too. It itched like crazy, but I was not advised in advance that they would force this embarassing act of indecency upon while the nurses stand around me and laugh! Eventually, they did help out, though. But, it was nothing more than a cheap disposable single bladed razor with no lubricant!!! Not the best option. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/9 "2003-01-14T18:33:04Z")
Oh yeah-- no matter how you do it, I’d recommend baby powder or oil afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/10 "2003-01-14T18:33:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flyboy88 \* > \*\*Well, I have done it (the top half of the environment, anyway), and while I don’t use scissors, I use clippers to take care of most of it, then a blade to get the rest. If you’re talking about the area underneath, I’d recommend clippers if you have them (which it sounds like you don’t), or even an electric shaver. \*\* Just make sure that you clean the hair out the shaver frequently whilst doing this. Otherwise you won’t need to have the doc perform the operation, you’ll have done it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/11 "2003-01-14T18:38:44Z")
Had one a few years ago and I was not required to shave at all. Are you sure they’re just snipping and not doing some clear cutting? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/12 "2003-01-14T18:41:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*I’d go with Nair, if I were in your situation. \*\* I thought of this but the Nair bottle, even the bikini-wax kind, says not to use on genitalia. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/13 "2003-01-14T18:44:26Z")
Why do you think they call it _Nads_? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Roberto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Don\_Roberto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Roberto)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/14 "2003-01-14T18:55:42Z")
I’ve done this–the whole shebang. Just trim away (carefully) with scissors, then shave away with an ordinary razor. I use a Gillette Sensor Excel, and ordinary shaving cream (which I usually reapply a few times during the process). There’s a reason they’re called ‘safety razors’. The only hitches are the unusual geometry and the sight lines; for your first time I’d advise setting up a mirror of some sort, which will allow you to see what’s going on down there. And be advised it takes a lot longer than shaving your face–I usually take a half-hour. Haste is the enemy. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/15 "2003-01-14T18:57:47Z")
I once did it with a pocketknife. Be a man, dammit. ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/16 "2003-01-14T19:18:04Z")
I got the big V about a year ago. If you’ve got one (or can borrow one), use an electric beard trimmer to get the short-hairs as short as possible. Then get a razor with a new blade–I used a Mach 3–and sit in a tub with about an inch of water in it. Use soap instead of shaving cream so you can see the wrinkles in the jewel bag, and carefully pull the area you’re shaving tight. Take your time and go slowly. If your SO is available, it can be a fun experience, but don’t let her (I’m assuming it’s a her or you probably wouldn’t need the procedure) get hold of the razor. The last thing you need is the “yeah, but you cut one of my nuts off” argument in 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/17 "2003-01-14T19:21:25Z")
Don’t worry about shaving the twig and berries. It’s not as horrible as it sounds. I shave, it’s no biggie. As was said, trim close with scissors, not too close, scissors are way more dangerous than the razor. Then just shave as ‘normal’. Hot water, lather, very frequent rinsings of the blade, take your time. Mach3 is your friend. When I first tried it out, I tried the clippers and an electric shaver, DON’T DO IT! Scissors and a good sharp blade is the way to go. You might get a nick or two, but it’s no worse than getting a nick on your face. ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/18 "2003-01-14T19:22:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*I’d go with Nair, if I were in your situation. \*\* **DO NOT DO THIS** Nair will burn the happysacks. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by lieu_\*\* Why do you think they call it Nads?\*\* Don’t do this either. Trust me. Nads yanks the hair out roughly. Even if it doesn’t yank the hell out of the skin, it still really hurts. My suggestion: take a cool shower, causing a little turtle-action, if ya know what I mean. That’ll make shaving easier. Use a good, new triple-blade razor, and you’re all set. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/19 "2003-01-14T19:25:59Z")
I used my good ole’ gillett sensor. Sit in the shower. Lather up. And for the love of God, man, take it **slow**. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547/20 "2003-01-14T19:32:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cheesesteak \* > **When I first tried it out, I tried the clippers and an electric shaver, DON’T DO IT!** Can I ask why you’ve found this to be bad? I’d think the electric shaver would keep the nicks to a minimum. I’ve used it lightly to get some areas, whereas when I’ve used a blade for those areas I’ve gotten nicks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-to-shave-what/148547.md?page=2)