How to shave your balls safely, step by step

Shaving your balls is one of those jobs nobody teaches you. You work it out alone, usually with a blunt razor and a sharp intake of breath. It doesn't have to be like that. A trim first, a sharp blade and a bit of patience make the difference between smooth and sore.

This guide covers how to shave your balls and the rest of your pubic area, which direction to shave, what to do about nicks, and how to look after the skin afterwards. If you're still deciding whether to shave at all, our guide to manscaping for men covers the basics of grooming below the belt.

Should you shave your balls at all?

It's your call: Cleveland Clinic points out there's nothing unhealthy about keeping your pubic hair. A trim is the easiest option on your skin. Cleveland Clinic suggests trimming the scrotum rather than shaving it, as trimming is least likely to cause irritation, and the NHS says the best way to avoid ingrown hairs is not to shave. If you want a fully smooth finish, shaving gets you there, as long as you go slowly and use the right kit. To weigh shaving against waxing, creams and laser, see pubic hair removal for men.

What do you need to shave your balls?

• A body trimmer with a guard, to take the length off first. Our guide to choosing a trimmer for manscaping explains what to look for.
• A sharp razor. A fresh disposable razor, a new blade, or an electric razor. Dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology suggest changing the blade, or throwing away a disposable, after 5 to 7 shaves.
• A shaving gel or cream. If your skin is dry or sensitive, choose one labelled for sensitive skin. Fragrance-free is the safer bet down there.
• A plain, fragrance-free moisturiser for afterwards, and a clean, soft towel.

Should you trim before you shave?

Yes. Trimming first means the razor has less to do, so you need fewer strokes. Trim dry, standing up, with the guard on, then get in the shower. If you're happy with the trimmed result, you can stop there: plenty of men do, especially on the scrotum.

Trimmer, electric razor or blade: which is best for your balls?

Trimmer, electric razor or blade razor below the belt

	Body trimmer with a guard.	Electric razor.	Blade razor.
How close	Short, with a little length left	Close	The smoothest finish
Chance of irritation	The lowest	Lower than a blade: the NHS suggests one to help avoid ingrown hairs	The highest: razor burn, nicks and ingrown hairs are more likely
Stubble is back	Whenever you choose to trim again	Within one to three days	Within one to three days
Best for	Regular tidying, and the scrotum itself	A close finish without a bare blade on the skin	A fully smooth finish, taken slowly

Whichever you use, keep it for this job, let it dry between uses, and never share it.

How to shave your balls, step by step

1. Trim the hair short with a body trimmer and a guard, as above.
2. Shave after a warm shower, or hold a warm, damp cloth against the area for a few minutes. Warm water softens the hair, and the American Academy of Dermatology says just after a shower is a good time to shave.
3. Apply shaving gel or cream and leave it for a minute or two so it can soften the hair further. Never shave dry.
4. Stand up, and hold the skin flat with your free hand, without pulling or stretching it. Dermatologists advise standing to groom down there, because you can see what you're doing.
5. Shave in the direction the hair grows, with short, light strokes. Let the razor glide; don't press it into the skin.
6. Rinse the blade after every stroke, so it doesn't clog.
7. Go over each patch once if you can. Repeated strokes over the same skin are more likely to irritate it.
8. Rinse with cool water, then pat dry with a clean towel. No rubbing.

Which direction should you shave pubic hair?

Shave in the direction the hair grows (with the grain). That's the advice from the NHS, the American Academy of Dermatology and DermNet alike. Going against the grain can give a closer shave, but DermNet says you're more likely to get razor burn and ingrown hairs, and Cleveland Clinic says the same. So stick with the grain, even if the finish is a little less close.

Pubic hair tends to be coarser and curlier than other body hair, so take a moment to see which way it grows in each area before you start.

How do you shave the scrotum without cutting yourself?

Slowly, and in small sections. The skin around the genitals is delicate, in the American Academy of Dermatology's words, and the skin of the scrotum tightens and loosens as it moves, so it doesn't sit still the way your chin does.

• Hold the skin flat with your free hand, without pulling it tight.
• Use very short strokes, with almost no pressure.
• Take breaks to look. Good light helps; a mirror helps with the underside.
• If in doubt, trim instead. A trimmer with a guard leaves a little length and is the least likely option to irritate the skin.

What should you put on after shaving your balls?

Very little. Rinse with cool water, or hold a cool, wet cloth against the skin for a few minutes; the NHS suggests this to reduce irritation. Pat dry. If the skin feels dry, a thin layer of a plain, fragrance-free moisturiser helps: the American Academy of Dermatology recommends fragrance-free because it's less likely to irritate.

• Skip the aftershave. Products with fragrance or alcohol can irritate freshly shaved skin.
• Wear loose underwear for the rest of the day. Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding tight clothing or underwear after shaving, to help avoid irritation.
• Don't scratch as the stubble grows back.

When can you use an intimate cream or spray after shaving?

Wait at least 24 hours after shaving, trimming or waxing before using any leave-on product, including ours, and only use it on clean, dry, unbroken skin with no redness, soreness or bumps. The how to use page has the full directions.

How often should you shave your balls?

As rarely as suits you. Stubble usually shows within one to three days, but the NHS advises not shaving every day if you can avoid it, to give the skin a break. Store your razor somewhere dry between shaves, not in the shower, and replace the blade when it starts to drag.

What should you do if you nick yourself?

Most small cuts can be looked after at home and start to heal in a few days. Press on the cut with a clean, folded cloth until it stops bleeding, rinse it with tap water, pat dry, and cover it with a plaster or dressing if you can. Hold off shaving that area until it has healed.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment, or get help from NHS 111, if a cut becomes swollen, red and more painful, has pus coming out of it, or you feel unwell or have a high temperature. If a cut won't stop bleeding, call 999 or go to A&E.

What about razor burn and razor bumps?

Razor burn is red, stinging skin that shows up within minutes of shaving and usually settles within a few days. Razor bumps are small, itchy spots from hairs growing back into the skin. For both, stop shaving the area until the skin has settled, keep it clean and dry, and don't pick or squeeze. Our guide to razor burn, bumps and rash after manscaping goes into detail.

When should you see a pharmacist or GP?

• A pharmacist if redness, itching or bumps don't settle within a few days.
• A GP, or NHS 111, for signs of infection: redness that spreads, swelling, heat, pus, a high temperature or feeling unwell.
• A GP or an NHS GUM clinic (free, confidential clinics for genital health; you don't usually need a GP referral) for sores, blisters, lumps or discharge, or bumps that appear when you haven't been shaving. It's routine for them.

For the whole routine, from washing to trimming, see our simple men's intimate grooming routine.