How to Wear & Remove Pubic Wigs (Merkins)

A merkin is a wig made to cover the pubic area. Whether you’re an actor who needs to cover your pubic area in a film or you’re looking to spice things up in the bedroom, merkins are pretty easy to wear. For this article, we partnered with a sex educator to help us explain how to attach and remove one, as well as what merkins are and where to buy them.

A Guide to Wearing a Merkin

Sex educator Lola Baston recommends removing your pubic hair completely so you have a smooth surface for application. Here’s the full process:

Shave or wax your pubic hair several hours in advance.
Put spirit gum or cosmetic adhesive on the edges of the mesh side of the merkin.
Place the merkin on your pubic area.
Smooth it out and hold it in place until the adhesive dries (about 30 seconds).
Wear your merkin for up to 3-4 days.
Remove gently with spirit gum remover and wash your pubic area.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Attach a Merkin

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Wax or shave your pubic hair several hours beforehand. Baston says you need to be ultra smooth before attaching the merkin, so you’ll want to remove your pubic hair first.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Lola Baston
Sex Educator

Expert Interview} In general, waxing is recommended if you want to wear your merkin for more than 2 days because it lasts longer than a shave. Shaving is okay for a shorter amount of time, though. Wait several hours after removing your pubic hair to attach the merkin to give your skin time to recover.
- If you wax, choose a full Brazilian wax rather than a bikini wax or a “landing strip.”
- If you shave, use a shaving gel or cream suitable for sensitive skin and a clean, sharp razor to get the closest shave possible.
- Once your skin is no longer inflamed, you can apply the merkin.
- Baston explains that the process is very similar to attaching a fake mustache or hairpiece–you need a smooth surface to work with.^{[2]
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  Lola Baston
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Lola Baston is a Sex Educator.
Some merkins come “oversized” so that you can cut them down to the right size and shape for your body. Most of the lace-backed merkins are already made to fit, but the novelty fur ones can be cut into all sorts of weird shapes. Simply use a sharp pair of scissors to cut your merkin however you want.
Place the merkin on your genital area to approximate its proper placement. If you don’t think you’ll be able to glue it in the right area, draw a guideline with some eyeliner. The merkin will be tricky to remove once it’s attached, so try to be as exact as possible.
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Apply spirit gum to the outer edges of the back of the merkin. Flip the merkin over so that the mesh side is facing you. Twist the cap off the spirit gum, and use the brush to trace the perimeter of the merkin. Wait about 20 seconds for it to get tacky.^{[3]
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- Buy spirit gum online or from a costume shop. If you don’t have any, use another cosmetic adhesive, like those meant for gluing on lace-front wigs, mustaches, and beards. Baston recommends using latex-free lash glue since the pubic area is sensitive. Lash glue is formulated for a delicate area (your lash line), so it also works well for the pubic area.^{[4]
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- Opt for high-quality products, as cheaper products may irritate your skin.
- If you have sensitive skin or haven’t used spirit gum before, do a patch test on your inner elbow or wrist to make sure you aren’t allergic. If you are allergic, use wig tape instead.
- Most bottles of spirit gum will have a brush attached to the cap, like nail polish. If yours did not come with a brush, use a popsicle stick or a clean brush with short, stiff bristles instead.
Position it just above the pubic mound, where the majority of your pubic hair would be. If you need to make any adjustments, do so now, as the merkin will be hard to move once the glue sets.
Start smoothing the merkin down onto your skin, moving from the center to the edges. Don’t worry if the merkin starts to slip; it’s simply because the spirit gum has not finished setting. Hold the merkin in place until it stays still. It should only take about 30 seconds for it to finish setting.^{[5]
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Wear your merkin for up to 3-4 days, washing your body as usual. Spirit gum is typically waterproof and can last a few showers, but avoid scrubbing the merkin itself. Remember, your merkin is not a permanent accessory, so do not wear it for more than 3 to 4 days at a time.
- Merkins are reusable. If you'd like to wear your merkin more often, take it off, clean it, and reapply it using the same method listed above. You can also secure it using some wig tape instead.
- We’ll explain how to remove a merkin in the section below!

Section 2 of 4:

How to Remove a Merkin

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If you cannot find spirit gum remover, try baby oil or olive oil. Some sources will recommend rubbing alcohol, but this is not a product you'd want close to such a sensitive area. If you must, use some facial toner for sensitive skin instead.
Make sure the cotton part is fully saturated. You don’t want to rip the merkin off because spirit gum is very strong, and you could damage your skin. You might also rip the merkin itself if it is lace-backed. Have several cotton swabs handy, as you’ll likely need more than one.
Wiggle the swab under a corner of the merkin to start dissolving the spirit gum. Slowly run the swap around the edges of the merkin until you can peel the merkin away completely.^{[6]
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Research source} Wait for the remover to dissolve the spirit gum rather than trying to pull or rip the merkin from your skin.
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Set the merkin aside and clean your skin. Gently lift the merkin away from your skin. Soak some cotton balls in the spirit gum remover and wipe down your pubic area to remove any remaining spirit gum. Then, wash the area with gentle soap and water. Pat yourself dry, then apply a moisturizer or baby oil to keep the skin soft.^{[7]
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- If you feel any resistance when you lift the merkin, apply more spirit gum remover until it comes off easily.
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Clean the merkin with more spirit gum remover. Dampen a soft-bristled brush (such as an old toothbrush) with spirit gum remover. Gently scrub the back of the merkin to dissolve any remaining spirit gum. If it doesn’t come off, use 90% rubbing alcohol instead.^{[8]
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Research source} Once the residue is gone, gently pat the merkin dry.
- Spirit gum remover can leave behind an oily residue. If this happens, simply wipe it off using a soft cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol.
- Wash the hair on the merkin with shampoo and wig conditioner. Rinse it out, let it air dry, then gently comb the hair so it doesn’t tangle.

Section 3 of 4:

What is a merkin?

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A merkin is a pubic wig. They’re worn by people after shaving their pubic hair and are used as decorative items, often for erotic purposes. Many actors also wear merkins during nude scenes to protect their modesty and avoid accidentally exposing their genitals. Sometimes, merkins are also given as gag gifts.^{[9]
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- Merkins may seem like a modern invention, but they actually date back to the 1450s. People often wore them after shaving their pubic hair to prevent pubic lice. According to Baston, sex workers may have used them to hide signs of venereal disease, like syphilis or herpes. She says this was well before we had medical testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and most people didn’t look too closely.^{[10]
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- Later on, Baston says merkins were often used in porn and other movies when actors didn’t want to fully expose themselves.^{[11]
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- The term “merkin” likely originated from “malkin,” which was a derogatory term for a lower-class young woman.
- Kim Kardashian popularized merkins in recent years after her Skims brand released a “faux hair micro string thong.”^{[12]
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Section 4 of 4:

Where to Buy a Merkin

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The more realistic, natural-looking merkins are made from human hair hand-tied to skin-colored lace or netting. These can get quite expensive. If you are wearing a merkin as a gag, prank, or novelty, you might be interested in a fake-fur one instead.

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Question

Why would someone use a merkin rather than grow the hair themselves?

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Sometimes a person might like to try out differently colored pubic hair. Or, it could be fun to try. Also, an actor/actress might use one for a role if they do not want to or do not have the time to grow the hair out, such as after a Brazilian.

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What is a merkin made from?

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Typically, most merkins are synthetic and made from nylon.

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If you know how to hand sew, consider stitching your merkin onto a clear or skin-toned g-string instead. This way, all you have to do is pull the g-string on and off. You won't have to mess with any adhesives.^{[13]
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If you plan on wearing the merkin for only a few hours, try using some wig tape or medical-grade double-sided tape instead. Place a piece of tape along each of the back edges of the merkin, and press it onto your bare skin.

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Some cosmetic salons may be able to apply a merkin for you. These merkins are made from fox fur and are glued onto your skin.

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