MENS GROOMING: BODY HAIR REMOVAL
During the summer, you may notice some hairy men's backs, I noticed some. And it got
me thinking, when should a man consider hair removal? and why don't more men
do it? It’s fine during the winter when it’s only our hands and faces peeking out of our clothing,
but during the summer unwanted body hair can become unpleasant to the eye.
Now I know what you’re thinking – body hair maintenance is a slightly strange choice of topic for an article, but lately I’ve realized that more guys are considering hair removal than you might think.
The main areas of concern for most guys tend to be the back, chest, and shoulders. However, there are obviously other areas of your body where you want hair removed, but if you were hoping for a ‘man-scaping’ how-to guide, you will have to look elsewhere (just be careful what you type into google).
Of course, as with any grooming practice, there are different extremes, you’ll get some guys who wouldn’t dream of anything other than ‘au naturel’, and others who’ll be perfectly ok with the whole body hair removal. Then there are the guys that would love to have some chest hair to even consider removing! I'm old school, a man should
be a man and be proud of the chest hair.... but if you find yourself with chest hair that you can count...
then I'm all for waxing that brillo pad off!
So Why Even Consider Hair Removal?
Well, one of the most common reasons is that guys (or their partners) believe excess body hair to be unattractive – whether this is on the chest, back, shoulders, or anywhere else on the body. It’s obviously personal preference but as guys move towards a more groomed overall appearance, hair removal is becoming more and more popular.
Note: If you opt for chest hair, please, keep it trimmed.
In addition, it’s widely believed that a hairless physique shows off more muscle definition, so many guys are choosing for a close chest shave and smooth abs to help show off their hard work at the gym. Ever noticed that Men’s Health cover models or swimwear models have no chest hair whatsoever? It’s no coincidence.
Top 3 Methods for Hair Removal
1. Waxing
Think hair removal, and most people think of waxing. Think waxing, and most people think of pain. Now I’ve had my legs waxed (out of boredom ) and I can confirm that it isn’t pleasant, but it certainly isn’t unbearable – no pain, no gain, and all that.
Widely regarded as one of the most effective methods because it removes hair from the root (hence the pain), waxing involves applying a strip and a sticky substance to the skin and removing swiftly – normally in the opposite direction of hair growth.
The results for waxing are pretty impressive, and the post-wax results will normally last longer than any other method. However, in terms of at-home hair removal, it isn’t the most practical solution – particularly on your back – so you’ll either have to visit a salon or get some at-home assistance.
2. Shaving
Most every guy I know shaves regularly, or will have done so at some point in their lives, so shaving should be nothing new. When it comes to body hair removal it’s probably the simplest method and allows you to cover any area of your body in one go with just a razor and a shaving product.
Arm yourself with a new razor, rinse regularly, and shave in the direction of hair growth and you can’t really go wrong.
Before shaving any body hair it’s also important to shower with warm water so that you open pours and raise the hair follicles. If any of your body hair is particularly long, ensure you give the chosen area a quick trim with a pair of scissors or clippers first to prevent razor clogging.
The downsides? Well obviously shaving your chest with a blade poses nipple-slicing hazards, and your hair could grow back to be awkwardly spiky if you don’t keep the process up. But really, as long as you take care and follow the routine above, shaving will prove to be a cost effective and efficient method of body hair removal.
3. Hair Removal Cream
Less painful than waxing, hair removal creams are a pain-free way of removing body hair.
If you can’t stand the thought of waxing, and shaving leaves you with cuts, nicks and razor burn, then hair removal creams are a great alternative. However, this kind of product can be a little harsh on sensitive skin and probably won’t give the best results on thick, dark hair.
So, as a general rule of thumb, I’d avoid hair removal creams if you are prone to irritation or want to remove lots of thick hair. One word of advice – be sure to follow the instructions and test any products on a small area of skin before application to avoid any bad reactions that could occur.