Grooming Editor

Mankind’s Guide to Removing Body Hair

A few years ago, body hair removal for men was still something of a novelty. Sure, a few brave souls would have their shoulders and backs waxed at their local beauty salon but that was about it. How things have changed! These days, hair removal is no more unusual than moisturising. In fact, according to research company Euromonitor, 3 out of ten 18-34 year olds use procedures for removing body hair regularly, with 9 out of 10 of them reckoning they look better as a result. What’s more, surveys have repeatedly shown that women prefer their men to be smooth too. So if you fancy getting rid of that chest/shoulder/back hair, here are your two main options:

Hair Removal Cream & Wax

There are plenty of body hair removal products to choose from and they don’t have to be fiddly or painful to use. Rio Total Body Waxing Kit, for example, allows you to remove unwanted hair from the root, leaving your skin smooth for weeks. You simply warm the wax, apply to the skin and whip them off. It’s a process that takes minutes. Plus, because you’ve removed the hairs at the root, when they do grow back they’ll have soft pointed tips so won’t be as noticeable or be itchy. For the best results, follow up with Anthony Ingrown Hair Treatment which helps soothe skin and minimise redness after the hair has been removed. Or, if you prefer, you can try a product like Bliss Fuzz Off Hair Removal Cream, it painlessly dissolves the unwanted hair so it can be washed away.

Hair Trimmers

Electric or battery powered hair clippers have revolutionised the way you can tackle unwanted body hair. Here’s how to get the most out of a product like the WAHL Groomsmen Rechargeable Trimmer.

Tips:

  • Shave after the shower. The hot water and steam will have softened the hairs so they will be easier to cut.
  • Trim before you shave. Make shaving easier by trimming back body hair first with the special comb attachment. If you want, you can leave hair at this length rather than actually shaving the skin.
  • Be consistent. If you’re trimming your chest hair make sure you also trim the hair on your stomach and around your nether regions or it’ll look uneven and odd. Likewise, if you’re going for a totally smooth look down below make sure you do your stomach too!
  • Make body hair removal part of your daily routine. To reduce the chances of itchy re-growth get into the habit of shaving regularly. A few minutes, a couple of times a week while you shower is all it takes to stay super-smooth.
  • Guard your crown jewels. If you’re shaving your crown jewels, take a cold shower first or splash them with cold water they’ll be much easier to shave if they’re tight and drawn up towards the body. Then apply a good dollop of shaving foam (Nickel Smooth Operator is a popular choice) and shave with short, gentle strokes. Afterwards, apply a little aftershave balm or moisturiser like the Baxter of California After Shave Balm.
  • Don’t rush! Take your time, decide what kind of look you want before you start and don’t get too carried away. You can always take more off but you can’t stick it back on!

You can also check out our lesson on unwanted body hair for some extra hints and tips.

 

Lesson 10: Unwanted Body Hair

Grooming Editor

Lesson 10: Unwanted Body Hair

A few years ago, you'd have to visit a salon and shell out a small fortune to get rid of your excess fur but thanks to the popularity of body hair removal, it's never been easier or more convenient.

2016-01-30 16:01:32By Vanessa



Vanessa

Vanessa

Writer and expert

Creative storyteller. Believer in the power of natural ingredients and cruelty-free formulas. Always puts skincare first for a no-makeup look.