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advice: what's the bottom line on 'manscaping'?
reader wonders if it's okay for a guy to go hairless.
jul 3 2020
3 minute read
shaving body hair has been gaining in popularity. stock/getty
dear asking for a friend,
everyone probably says this, but i am truly asking for a friend. what’s the bottom line on “man-scaping”? my guy friends are talking about lightening up their body hair, and i am curious to know whether this is even a thing. shaving or waxing your chest, is this fashionable? will my friend look odd with bare chest this summer? and, gulp, what about shaving “down there”? women go bare all the time, but should a man get rid of pubic hair? and do testicles count?
signed, need some clarity
dear need some clarity,
manscaping is here to stay. many spas and salons now offer waxing services to men and there are plenty of at-home tools available to help you win at this game. manscaping can help enhance muscle definition, improve your sex life, and leave you with a penis that looks noticeably larger.
male grooming has become popular in recent years. it’s hard to tell how this trend came about, but perhaps the adult film industry has had something to do with it. what’s interesting is that a men’s health survey shows that the majority of men have, at some point, been pressured by their partner to trim or shave the hair on their chest, back, groin and buttocks. the reason? it feels great to snuggle up to a man who prioritizes smooth skin. this physical closeness can lead to greater intimacy with your partner, and eventually, more sex. below the belt, oral hygiene is obviously super important and a groomed or hairless experience can make oral sex more enjoyable for both partners. long, sweaty and matted pubic hair is a turnoff for most people and can quickly kill the sexy vibe. it’s also no secret that manscaping can make you feel more confident about your body, and when you project that kind of energy out into the world, you appear more attractive to others.
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but, like everything else in life, manscaping isn’t without risks.
“whenever we’re removing hair from the root up, the risk of ingrown hairs or folliculitis — the inflammation of the hair follicles — increases, particularly in men who tend to have more dense or coarse hair,” says dr. sonya abdulla, dermatologist at dermatology on bloor in toronto. “this time of year, with increased heat, sweat and humidity, there’s a higher chance of folliculitis where bacteria and yeast can get into the hair follicle and trigger inflammation.”
and while there are many ways to remove unwanted hair, including trimming, shaving, waxing, with depilatory creams or laser hair removal , when it comes to home treatments, there is a right way to do it to help prevent inflammation and infection. the key is to remove unwanted hair in the direction of its growth when trimming or shaving.
“when you’re trimming or shaving in the direction of the hair growth, you’re actually leaving a tiny bit of hair behind, so the hair doesn’t have to break through the surface of the skin,” explains dr. abdulla. “whatever strategy you wish to use, you have to make sure it’s done with clean tools and in a clean environment to prevent infection.”
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if you want to give manscaping a try, start small and focus on a specific area. once you’ve warmed up to the idea, you can move on to other areas of the body. invest in the right tools, hydrate and exfoliate before you get started and be sure to follow instructions to avoid cuts, ingrown hairs or bigger injuries. if you have a lot of hair, you might want to leave the job to professionals for better results and overall experience. you’ll also have to factor in the upkeep, whether you want to do it yourself or leave it to the pros.
manscaping may not be for everyone. it can be costly and certainly a lot of work if you’re into the diy option. men who equate excess body hair with masculinity aren’t likely to manscape. but those who are willing to give it a try might really enjoy the transformation.
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