Pubic hair removal or pubic epilation is the epilation of body hair in and around the pubic region, most commonly for females. With the decreasing size of women's swimwear, pubic hair which may become visible around the crotch area of a swimsuit, which is widely culturally disapproved and generally considered unaesthetic, undesirable and embarrassing, is at times removed.^[1] However, some people also remove pubic hair that is not exposed, for aesthetic reasons.^[1]

The term bikini line is the imaginary line in a woman's pubic region that delineates that part which would normally be covered by the bottom part of a swimsuit from that which is exposed. In the context of waxing, it is generally understood to describe any pubic hair that is visible beyond the boundaries of a swimsuit.^[1] Epilation is usually also performed on the upper leg.^[2]

Pubic hair can be removed in a number of ways, including waxing, shaving, sugaring or using chemical depilatory creams. Hair that is not removed may be trimmed. While mainly associated with females, men at times also remove pubic hair.^[3]

In Middle Eastern societies, removal of the female body hair has been considered proper hygiene, necessitated by local customs, for many centuries.^[4] In Islam, this is known as an act of Fitrah. Evidence of pubic hair removal in ancient India dates back to 4000 to 3000 BC, and methods have not changed much beyond the material used.^[5] Western women started removing this hair when bathing suits became abbreviated, starting in 1945.^[1] Changes in lingerie styles has also encouraged the removal of pubic hair throughout the year.^[2]