I'm thinking of getting rid of at least some of my pubic hair. Is shaving it the way to go, or is there another way to remove it painlessly? What is safe for my body?

The hair that shows when you wear a bathing suit is what some hair-removal products call the "bikini area." These used to be marketed mostly to females, but now some guys also choose to get rid of pubic hair.

You can shave it. Just be sure to use shaving cream and a sharp razor. Shaving doesn't make hair thicker or darker, though it might look that way. If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax. 

A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface. Depilatories work quickly, are available at drugstores and grocery stores, and are painless. But some people have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in them, which may cause a rash or redness. Before using a depilatory on pubic hair, read product labels to find one that says it's safe to use on the bikini area.

With waxing, a sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root with it. Waxing can sting a bit while it's being done, but the results last longer than with shaving or depilatories. It takes longer for the hair to grow back because the hair is removed at the root, below the level of the skin.

You can buy home waxing kits in drugstores and beauty supply stores, but if you've never had waxing done before it's best to visit a salon so you can see how it's done.

Other options for hair removal are laser hair removal and electrolysis, although these can be expensive.