Brazilian waxing leaves you vulnerable to STDs: study

It may have helped eradicate pubic lice (read here) but bikini waxing has been found to increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

A French dermatologist found that patients coming in with the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) were more often than not cleanly waxed or shaved.

Francois Desruelles observed that 93 percent of his patients with the sexually-transmitted virus were hairless in fact, said the Daily News.

The Nice-based doctor warned that the practice is becoming fashionable.

More from GlobalPost: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates among seniors double in a decade

“Pubic hair removal is a body modification for the sake of fashion, especially in young women and adolescents, but also growing among men,” Desruelles wrote, according to NBC News.

“Anyway, pubic hair removal may be a risk factor for STMC [sexually transmitted MCV] or perhaps other STIs …”

After studying the link between the disease and shaving or waxing, he found that the act of ripping out the skin can transfer the virus to different areas.

If you're worried, molluscum bumps go away on their own unlike herpes.

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.