A merkin wig is a pubic wig that is typically used by women as a bedroom accessory or as a way to disguise their pubic area in films. They can be made from various materials, including synthetic nylon, fox fur, and human hair. Merkins were historically worn by prostitutes after shaving their mons pubis to cover up signs of disease, such as syphilis. In filmmaking, merkins can be worn by actresses to avoid inadvertent exposure of the genitalia during nude or semi-nude scenes. They can also be used when the actor or actress has less pubic hair than is required for the role. Merkins can be attached to the skin using wig tape, medical-grade double-sided tape, or liquid adhesive.