Although not part of external genitalia itself, the pubic mound can be regarded as an
erogenous zone and is highly eroticized in many cultures. Throughout history, the complete or partial removal of pubic hair has been common in many societies, and more recently it has become widespread in the Western world. The removal of all pubic hair has become common practice in the past thirty years primarily due to societal pressures and personal preferences. There are several popular removal methods including shaving and waxing, such as a
Brazilian wax. In some circumstances, the mons pubis is subjected to aesthetic ideals beyond hair removal. Correspondingly, plastic surgery is offered, which alters the shape of the mons to a desired ideal. Permanent forms of decoration to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this area are
hanabira (the application of
cosmetic scars) or piercings such as the
Christina piercing or the
Nefertiti piercing.
Vajazzling refers to the non-permanent decoration of the
mons pubis with crystal ornaments.
Genital tattooing is also common in this area using traditional ink as well as temporary henna designs or
mehndi. Although it is usually illegal to expose the
mons pubis in public, there are some garments that expose it. For example, in 1985, four weeks before his death,
Rudi Gernreich unveiled the pubikini, a topless bathing suit that exposed the wearer's
mons pubis and
pubic hair. It was a thin, V-shaped, thong-style bottom that in the front featured a tiny strip of fabric. ==Gallery==