Bodies Unfiltered

By Kat K.

It feels strange not to talk about some of life’s most normal parts. Not talking about life’s natural processes allows negative stigmas to continue and creates a lack of understanding for others who go through similar experiences. This series explores why some topics are too often kept quiet, and how we can work toward normalizing these topics of conversation. Today, we talk about body hair and the reality of periods.

Body Hair: Literally Everyone Has It

Many people have shared a similar experience of noticing their first leg, armpit, or pubic hair and immediately succumbing to what those have done before us: remove any hairs in sight and keep it that way. But why?

Beauty standards began years ago but frustratingly persist into the present. Many people still feel the societal pressure of maintaining smooth, hairless skin because the world has continuously forced this idea through word of mouth, representation in the media and marketing tactics. 

In their Ted Talk, “Why Do We Still Shave?,” Laura Briggs brings up an important question: “How many of you have seen an advertisement for shaving cream that promises to make your skin ‘baby soft’?” Not only do these advertisements reinforce the pressure to be hairless, they tie femininity to childlike qualities. This also correlates to the pressure of not having wrinkles or cellulite as one grows and ages. Major corporations’ societal influence combined with the beauty standards formed before this century can make it feel impossible to be comfortable with one’s natural body hair. As Laura Brggs notes, this all ties back to the sexual desires of men and the influence of the adult media industry. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.  

In order to break the stigmas around body hair, we need to talk about it. We need to talk about how armpit hair, leg hair, pubic hair, arm hair, literally hair anywhere, is completely normal. It does not make someone “dirty” to have hair on their body. If you see or hear someone making negative comments about body hair, interrupt them. It is arguably just as important to spread body hair positivity as it is to stop others from continuing negative body hair talk. 

Reference: Briggs, Laura. “Why Do We Still Shave?” TED, http://www.ted.com/talks/laura_briggs_why_do_we_still_shave. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025. 

Periods: The Importance of Sharing the Details

*Content Warning: Blood

I am 23 years old and still learning about my period everyday. I think back to middle and high school, where I definitely took health class, and realize there was never much explanation about actually having your period. Sure, they might talk you through the scientific explanation of what is happening to your changing body, but the real, everyday problems were never addressed. 

I had just finished 6th grade and was getting ready to attend my competitive dance nationals in Virginia Beach. I was packed and ready for the 7 hour car ride, but wanted to go to the bathroom first so we didn’t have to stop for a while. My family was waiting so I rushed into the bathroom, sat down and immediately saw that I started my period. I didn’t want to tell my mom because she would think she had to share the information with the rest of the family. I ran to my mom’s bathroom, grabbed a tampon, and put it in my underwear. It was basically just laying there, not really doing much. I had no idea what I was doing and I didn’t have time to learn. I got in the car and hoped with everything I had that it would be okay.

We stopped at a McDonald’s a couple hours into the drive and I rushed into the building to use the bathroom. There was blood all over my underwear and now my pants. I had to tell my mom. I was right, she did end up telling my whole family, but she also helped me figure out how to use tampons and pads. I still had years ahead of me before I figured out managing cramps and regulating my emotions caused by hormones, but was grateful for the new information. 

I was extremely lucky to have my mom, even if I avoided telling her at first. The matter of fact is, not everyone has a mom or a parent that can help them with understanding their period. Normalizing period talk is not only up to parents, it is up to all adults that understand it and experience the reality of it.

Talking about something is just one way to normalize the most normal parts of life. Next week we will return for part two of “Things We Don’t Talk About (But Should).”