Men's Hair Removal

There’s more to men’s hair removal than just shaving. More and more men, and not just body builders, swimmers and other athletes, regularly have their body hair removed. Sometimes it’s for medical reasons, but just as often, it’s for comfort and aesthetics.

Because men tend to have hair and skin which is generally thicker, coarser or tougher than women’s, treatment for them may be entirely different. The choice of treatment will depend on which part of the body the hair is to be removed from, as well as how permanent (or otherwise) the hair removal should be.

For hair removal from head to toe, let’s take a look at men’s parts and the best way to remove unwanted hair.

Upper Lip, Chin, Mustache and Beard:
Shaving is the method of choice for temporary hair removal, though men who are subject to razor bumps (usually black men) and ingrown hair, often choose a depilatory specifically made for black skin. Waxing is another option, and it can be done at home or in a salon.

Chest:
Not every man enjoys a hairy chest, and if you don’t or perhaps your partner doesn’t, you can consider waxing, shaving, or depilatories. Often times, shaving is an unacceptable option, because of the irritation factor when the stubble reappears, as well as the problem of ingrown hairs.

Shoulders, back and stomach:
Waxing is the best method for these areas. You can either use a home waxing kit (though you’ll obviously need some help for the shoulders and back), or have a professional waxing. A hot shower directly after waxing the back helps eliminate the possibility of skin redness and acne breakouts.

Underarms:
Shaving is generally preferred; underarm hair grows in many different directions, so an up and down and then a side-to-side stroke will effectively shave this off. Waxing is another temporary option to consider, but can be painful when done. Depilatories are not a good choice, because the skin under your arm is very sensitive.

Pubic Area and Bikini Line:
If the hair is long it should be trimmed first. Shaving or waxing is a good choice for male pubic hair removal. Naturally, extreme caution should be used when bringing any sharp instrument in contact with this delicate area. You should also be aware that waxing involves a certain degree of pain.

Legs, Feet, Toes:
While still relatively uncommon, hair removal of the lower extremities is sometimes done if there is a significant amount of undesirable hair. Shaving, waxing or using a depilatory are perfectly acceptable temporary measures.

All of these measures provide only temporary respite from unwanted hair. Men who desire a long term solution to the problem should consider laser hair reduction or electrolysis, both of which need to be performed by professionals. Even for a home handy-man, these are not do-it-yourself type of jobs.