A survey recently commissioned across Central America and Mexico by Saba, a brand of health and personal care products, indicates that 90 percent of women in Costa Rica are very mindful of their nether regions. This much can be ascertained by the following statistics gleaned from the survey study:

• 90 percent of women in Costa Rica (Ticas) between the ages of 14 and 65 either shave or wax their bikini lines. The majority of Ticas who enjoy keeping their pubic hair to a minimum prefer the method known as Brazilian waxing, which often means that they remove all their traces of body hair in their anatomically intimate areas.
• By contrast, women in other countries across the region are not as fond of depilation as Ticas are in our country. For example, in Guatemala and Mexico, 40 percent of women reported shaving or waxing their pubic hair, and many survey respondents clarified that they mostly shaved and trimmed for aesthetic reasons; in other words, to keep clean bikini lines.

The above statistics were reported by Angie Guerrero of online news daily Costa Rica Hoy. Ms. Guerrero cited survey investigator Vania Rodriguez, who stressed that the higher incidence of shaving and waxing among Ticas calls for greater care in keeping their intimate regions fresh, clean and free of infections. For example, Ms. Rodriguez recommends waiting until pubic hairs have grown about five millimeters (about 0.196 inches) before applying a razor or wax treatment.

Also of concern, Ms. Rodriguez explains, is the use of common soaps or lavage (douche) treatments for hygiene among women who choose to keep their pubic hair to a minimum. The hygiene products to be used in this case are those that promote the growth of Lactobacillaceae bacteria, which are organisms that contribute to a healthy vaginal ecosystem.

Equally important among Ticas who keep tight bikini lines, and who enjoy surfing and other active hobbies, is their choice of swimwear or undergarments: Natural fabrics such as cotton should be favored over synthetic blends that do not allow the skin to breathe, and thus inviting unpleasant infections.