Body Hair Do’s and Don’ts

Are You Sure It’s Just Your Quarantine Beard That Needs a Trim?

We aren’t going to call this any sort of guide to manscaping, instead we’re going to refer to it more as a selection of suggestions for what you should do with your own body hair. So start by asking yourself the question: “How hairy am I?” Do you have ‘excessive body hair or are you just a kind of fuzzy guy? What does excessive body hair even mean?

Manscaping might be out of some guys’ league — it’s a personal preference and we get it. Most guys can agree that right now shaving down your entire body isn’t exactly “in style.” Then again a select few think differently. “How to manscape” can mean something different to just about everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn your own unique way of how to manscape.

If you know you aren’t a manscaper and don’t need to know how to remove body hair, but it’s a different story when it comes to your face, no problem there. Facial hair might still have its moment in the spotlight, and chances are if she likes your beard or scruff, she won’t be into barely there chest hair, or anything else for that matter. That’s not to say if you’re a clean-shaven dude you should match your face with a head-to-toe waxing. There are degrees to pruning. And in some situations, your body hair requires more attention, and detailing.

If you need guidance on whether to go natural or head for the trimmer, we’ve laid it out in a handy guide, using two classic hairy guys to help spread the message. So read through the situations below and come to your own conclusions for what’s right for you.

Shaving Facial Hair

Not everyone can pull off the full, thick bushy beard look — or any facial hair style at that. Don’t feel like you have to show off your masculinity on society by forcing a beard. You can either embrace the short stubble or go the fully shaven route. It won’t make you less of a man in the eyes of others, especially if you can own it like David Beckham.

Donning a hairless moneymaker has its perks. Not only does smooth skin cause less irritation to your partners, it can help keep you looking young by keeping skin smooth and exfoliated and keeping any grey facial hair at bay. But how ironic is it that the most common grooming practice happens to be the one most guys fail to execute the right way. Amateurs can learn to master the basics, and avoid the dreaded ingrown hair, by looking over these classic shaving tips. Those who know how to wield, proceed to lather up.

We Recommend:

Harry’s Truman Razor

Reader’s Choice winner for best multi-blade razor and a favorite subscription service among the AskMen team, Harry’s keeps shaving simple with a signature razor that mates stellar blades with an ergonomic handle design.

The five-blade cartridge system cuts through hair effortlessly and  ingrown hair- and irritation-free. This is achieved thanks to an Aloe Vera-infused lubrication strip, which nourishes skin with each stroke. Each blade is perfectly shaped to pick up short strands without any pulling and instantly rinses off debris when in contact with water.

Promising Review: “My brother and I have been Harry’s customers for years. Harry’s is a men’s grooming business that sells reasonably priced razors, cleansing products as well as personal care items to match their razors. The sets include extra cartridges, a safety case, shave gel and your chosen razor.

Harry’s razors have the finest price I have seen, and I like the superiority of their products. The razor blades work great as well as their shave gel! I would not use any other brand.” — Paul

Braun Series 9 Electric Razor

When patience comes secondary to vanity, don’t hesitate to splurge if it means sporting the most polished mug in the office. Our Reader’s Choice for best electric shaver brings it all to the grooming forefront from beautiful aesthetics to flawless performance.

Perfect for sensitive skin types and those prone to ingrown hair, the four-way shear system mows through fuzz in seamless fashion, whereas the company’s SyncroSonic Technology manages 40,000 “cross-cutting actions per minute” to snatch up any lingering threads..

Promising Review: “I recently replaced an older Braun Series 8 with this newest Series 9 9385cc. My old shaver was good. This one is GREAT! It runs much quieter and shaves faster and smoother. The clean and charge station is quieter, as well. The built-in trimmer works much better than on my old shaver. and the whole unit fits comfortably in my hand. I admit that I’m a Braun fan, but this top of the line model is well worth the extra money! Do your face a favor, guys; you’ll be glad you did.” — Warren

Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor

This Reader’s Choice winner for best razor overall also happens to be the most challenging hair removal technique. This extra-sharp blade requires fewer passes across your chin and cheeks resulting in less chances of irritation and ingrown hair. But you’ll have to slow down and take your time to perfect your technique.

Start with a fresh blade and a quality shaving cream that provides an easy glide. Holding the razor at a 30-degree angle (yes, it’s that specific) take short strokes and rinse the blade often. The trick to a safety razor working it’s magic is to ease up on the pressure and let the razor blade do the work.

Promising Review: “Like some people, I was hesitant to leave behind my disposable razor blades and invest in a safety razor, mainly because I was concerned about nicking and cutting myself with a double edge razor. I think this stems from the fact that when most of us think of “razor blade,” we might think of the single-edge blades used to trim paint from windows or scrape stickers from the insides of car windows or windshields and how a mistake with one can lead to some serious cuts. Once I got the Merkur 23C, however, all my concerns vanished. For a newbie to safety razor shaving, it was definitely the best choice I could have made. After watching several videos about how to properly shave with a DE razor, I popped in the sample blade it came with, prepped my face for the shave, and started using the weight of the razor to trim away my stubble. Though I’ve only had this about a week and am still testing some sample blades, I love it. It helps me focus more on my shave, does a better job than my disposable blades, the long handle works perfectly with my big hands, and it makes me feel better knowing that I’m not tossing more plastic into landfills. If you’re on the fence about the Merkur, especially as someone new to using a safety razor, don’t be. Make the plunge and get one.” — Bob

Andis FastTrim Personal Trimmer

Need we forget about the nose hair and ear hair situation? Look, it’s common to overlook whatever grows out of those orifices, which is what makes an ear and nose hair trimmer such a valuable investment. The FastTrim snips off ear bristles and nose hair with surgical stainless-steel blades that easily rinse off. The use of AA batteries seems somewhat archaic for modern times, but it’s good to last for several months.

Promising Review: “Five stars! Good price, works well!” — Peter

HeadBlade MOTO Head Razor

Shaving your dome presents its own set of unique challenges, and HeadBlade MOTO Head Razor is the solution. It’s designed with a dual-axis suspension to hug head curves and a soft finger ring for easy maneuverability.

Remember, prepping the hair on your head is just as important as softening the fuzz on your face so wash, scrub and lather accordingly. And always remember to smother your clean-shaven smooth skin head with sunscreen or wear a hat for protection — skin cancer and age spots don’t stop at the hairline.

Promising Review: “I began shaving my head and using the Headblade Moto at the same time. It’s been a month and a half, and I absolutely love it. I can use it in the shower without needing a mirror, and get a close shave. I’ve had no issues at all — no cuts, nicks, etc. And most important, the wife loves the new look! I follow up with Headlube and my dry scalp problems have vanished. I am a Headblade customer for life!” — T.C.

Trimming Your Upper Body

Chest hair, when trimmed and tamed, is a big yes and super masculine. Think Sean Connery, Tom Selleck, and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. A high quality electric trimmer is your best option. Start with the longest setting and prune all the way down to a desired length and thickness. Chances are you won’t have to give too much attention to the upper body, and a simple trim job is something you can count on about once a week.

We Recommend:

Philips Norelco OneBlade Body + Face Trimmer

The OneBlade may have started out as a gimmicky-turned-niche grooming tool but it has grown with the consuming public, and is now a tool many guys count on regularly (OK fine, we do) mainly because it’s that good.

This Grooming Award winner pulls double duty by managing the fuzz on your face as well as your body. Using the click-on safeguard is a secure way of buzzing down thicker, unwanted hair, while using the standard dual-sided blade gets you a closer trim that works great around the contours of your chest.

Promising Review: “I’ve been wanting to buy this for years now! Always been hesitant, because I’ve tried over 5 different electric shavers. Nothing came close to a razor, until I finally pulled the plug on this. Seriously, this is not like any other electric shaver!!! It works wonders, especially when used as directed!!! I cannot stress this enough. If you have been hesitant about buying it. Now, it’s your time. I liked it so much that I got one for my Dad. He loves it too!!!” — Amazon Customer

Philips Norelco BodyGroom 3500

Philips Norelco for the win when it comes to trimming your upper bod. This specially designed tool tames that forest growing underneath your pits, as well as most other body parts. Its ergonomic frame delivers enough flexibility to hold while in the shower and navigates across hard to reach spots. Multiple length settings grant enough leverage to whack through all hair lengths, plus the stainless steel blades warrant you years of usage.

Promising Review: “Let’s just be honest most of you guys are looking for something to shave your balls with and let me tell you this thing works incredibly. It’s amazing and doesn’t hurt or cut the skin or anything. A perfect buzz every time.” — Hunter

Shaving Your Armpits

There was a time when shaving your armpits wasn’t really on the agenda, but with 29% of men admitting to shaving their armpits bare (and another 29% saying they at least trim) then we would have to say that if you’re going to do it, do it well.

Any good body groomer previously mentioned would work well to trim down hair to the length you desire, and a multi-blade razor will be a good companion to go to the skin. Don’t go single blade here or you will almost certainly regret it regret it.

If you’re really looking to keep wanted hair in bounds and unwanted hair out, opting for a laser hair removal treatment along the borders might make for an easier trim when you take your hair clippers there. Permanent hair reduction from a laser treatment is a great way to make your daily life easier.

Getting Rid of Back Hair

When has back or shoulder hair ever been considered an aphrodisiac? Not since we evolved from neanderthals. That said, it’s a part of almost every man’s life so needless to say, we have figured out some pretty clever ways to deal with it. You can opt for full body laser hair removal which uses an Intense Pulsed Light laser, or IPL, to kill the hair follicle over the course of multiple treatments.

The issue it, this technology of this expensive hair removal method doesn’t work on every hair and skin color combination (if you have light skin and dark hair, you will achieve the best results). This has to do with the IPL and its interaction with the skin’s melanin. That means this permanent hair removal method might not be permanent for everyone.

Another doctor-approved option is tried-and-true electrolysis, which results in permanent body hair removal by killing each hair follicle one by one. As you can imagine, that takes time, it hurts like hell and cost a boatload. If these are not the options you were thinking, get rid of that unwanted body hair back there yourself at a lower cost yet higher frequency.

We Recommend:

Mangroomer Ultimate Pro Back Shaver

Mangroomer’s signature trimmer provides enough long reach to cut stubborn back and shoulder hair without transforming you into a contortionist. Two attachable shaving heads with hypoallergenic blades protect skin from irritants as well. Activate the Power Burst button and sheer through the thickest threads like a knife through hot hairy butter.

Promising Review: “I’ve been “growing” back hair in recent years. Since then, my primary barber has helped to keep things under control in the back room of his shop. Unfortunately, he doesn’t pack well when traveling for extended periods of time. I came across the ‘Mangroomer’ on Amazon and ordered one to see how well it worked. It came today and I was so excited that I charged it and took it for a dry run. Well, it did an excellent job and in the privacy of my own home. I’m happy, my wife is happy and my barber will be very happy he won’t have to sweep out the back room any longer.” — Rob-NYC

NOW baKblade 2.0 Elite Plus Back Shaver

A trim backed shows efforts, while a shaved back leaves an impression. The baKblade earns you a smooth behind (that one too) by removing hair with every stroke. An ergonomic reach handle measured at 1 1/2 feet prevents you from pulling any contortionist moves to snatch up that last annoying strand you would otherwise struggle to reach. It also supports a universal blade refill system, so load it up with whatever you have on hand.

Promising Review: “Worked exactly as intended. Anyone posting negative reviews about cuts has not bothered to read the instructions, watch a video or read any of the reviews here. It’s a pivot point tool. It’s a very natural movement. If your arm is over your shoulder, you drop your elbow down, allowing the curvature of the tool to follow your body contour. Same with the reverse grip for lower back. I’m sure that if you drag it straight up or to the side without following the instructions, you will probably cut yourself. I shave dry and it’s been fine. RTFM.” — Thor

Shaving Body Hair

If you swim, run or bike, there are actual performance benefits that come with playing it smooth, so shave with a purpose. Livestrong.com reports the following:

“There are different motives for removing body hair, depending on the sport. Athletic performance benefits may result. Ease of treating injury is another possibility. Aesthetic motive can also play a role. Every sport has a different reason. Swimmers, cyclists and runners provide good examples.”

If you’re planning on shaving your arm pit hair and leg hair, and anywhere else, here’s how to follow through. First block out some time and be prepared to go slow. Very slow. Shaving down your entire body takes time and you certainly don’t want to nick or cut a vital organ … you know the one. Just picture the worst possible scenario(s). Proceed to grab an electric trimmer and work your entire body down to stubble, including your back. Then grab some shaving gel and a razor with a fresh blade. Shave against the direction of hair growth. Sometimes it’s easier to take one body part at a time while in the shower. One day shave your chest hair, the next your leg hair, and so on. Rinse off with cool water to close the pores.

We Recommend:

Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler Body Groomer

Seeing how in-depth the shaving process can be, this calls for a grooming tool with all the bells and whistles right out of the package. Lucky for you, Gillette razors offers a kickass option at nearly a fraction of what most top electric shavers run for on the market. This 3-in-1-body groomer comes with the necessary attachments to achieve a complete shave and trim from scratch. Just follow the protocol.

Promising Review: “Unfortunately I can’t post a picture of my squeaky clean balls on Amazon. Don’t be afraid, quality and affordable price makes this a no-doubt choice.” — LetsBarkQuietly

Waxing Body Hair

Your best bet for waxing is to see a professional. If you would really rather go DIY, know that depending on the thickness of your hair, the removal process can hurt like a MF. Which is why you trim down targeted areas before getting that adventurous, but make sure there is enough hair to get picked up by the wax. You do run the risk of not pulling out the hair from the root if you trim too low prior to waxing, and that is a recipe for ingrown hairs.

We recommend:

BodyHonee Extra Strength Hair Removal Kit

Here we have an at-home kit designed for easy application on thick to coarse hair, using all-natural ingredients to leave skin hair-free for up to eight weeks. Also bundled are Finishing Oil Wipes to soothe the stripped surface when finished.

Promising Review: “I am male with thick, coarse body hair that has always made me rather self-conscious. Shaving anything other than my face really doesn’t work at all because it just grows back prickly and hideous after about 2 days, so I finally decided to try waxing. For those guys out there who aren’t sure what to do, then I highly recommend you start here.

I found the wax to be a lot more forgiving than I originally anticipated. It is a little bit annoying in that it is hard to get off your skin and you have to use oil first and then wash that off. I just finished doing my chest and abdomen and the results are quite good. It doesn’t hurt nearly as much as I anticipated, and the results are very superior to other methods I’ve tried. I tried an epilator once…..this is about 1000 times better than that. I did have some patches, but that is entirely my fault as a first-time waxer. Where I got the wax, it did its job very well. I will probably go back and do some spot work after I give my skin some time to recover. I do have quite a bit of redness and sensitivity, but since my stubborn hairs have never been forced out in this fashion before, I expected this.

The one negative is that the supplies that come with this kit are going to be woefully inadequate if you are doing a full chest/body job. They give you everything you need, but not enough of it. Luckily I bought some additional strips and sticks (from the same company), so I had plenty to work with. You have been warned.” — J

Body Hair Removal Cream

Topical depilatory creams are usually the hair removal treatment of choice due to their ease of use and long-term effectiveness. They usually stink and can cause irritation on especially sensitive skin types or if not used properly, but overall, this is a great option for large, easy surface areas.

We recommend:

Nad’s for Men Hair Removal Cream

Perfect for arm pit hair and leg hair, back and chest (and even some light pube grooming) Nad’s remains a popular choice amongst the hairless consensus, designed to gently rub off coarse hair without any irritation. The formula consists of shea butter, carrier oils and fruit extracts that nourish skin with additional moisture. Leave it on for anywhere from four to 10 minutes for the best results.

Promising Review: “We know why you’re likely here: manscaping for yourself or your partner.

I’ll make this brief: I’m a pale Irish guy with sensitive skin. I used it ‘unconventionally,’ but otherwise, still as directed. Left it on down there for six minutes, no burning, no itching, no overt irritation; though the skin around my base was a little sensitive for a day after, as if I had been slightly sunburnt.

The product worked amazingly and removed all hair. I would highly recommend it as an alternative to shaving and waxing.” — Mark

Trimming Down There

Just as you probably appreciate a clean field of play when you’re going downtown, your partner would likely be equally satisfied to see a well-groomed landscape around your genitals. Anything that will make visiting your nether regions more exciting should be performed consistently. So keep it neatly trimmed down there. Keeping pubic hair under control also helps to make you look bigger and controls unpleasant odors.

It’s not necessary basing all your grooming choices on what others will think of course (feel free to shave your balls if it feels good to you), but since you want to have someone interested in seeing you naked, you should at least take their opinions into account. But remember, even if you do make a grooming faux pas, hair grows back and you’ll feel normal again soon.

We Recommend:

Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7100

At the tip of this groin-grooming go-to you’ll find a 3D pivoting foil shaving head that moves smoothly across any shaving surface, offering great navigation and security down under. Five different settings are accessible to cut through different hair textures. Also, the bottom houses a built-in trimmer to perform some weed whacking before setting the foil on your sack.

Promising Review: “To start off, this is not designed to deforest the Congo. It is more of a maintenance tool. Also note this does not get you to razor smooth. But with that said, I only nicked myself once. Which is pretty good for an unfamiliar trimmer. Just like an airplane, the approach is important. Watch your angles and you will get settled on a well maintained landing strip in no time. The trimmer is very forgiving. It will pinch you before you get nicked. Which is very convenient when put against the prospect of trimming the fuzz off a wet burlap sack with two squirrelly hamsters inside. The other regions above and below the burlap sack are easy and quick. For the other parts of the body, you will have to read another review, I’m not a very hairy person.” — Justin

Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series Grooming Scissors

Scissors over a manual razor? Again, the keyword here is “trim.” The forged sharp blades slice through bushes with ease, where as the adjustable tension screw and rubber finger inserts provide just the right amount of comfort and stability to operate around the crown jewels — without causing any slip-ups at that. Build quality is phenomenal giving the scissors infinite shelf life.

Promising Review: “I am a licensed hairstylist and I always buy very expensive Japanese shears. They are worth the money, and the companies sharpen them at no extra cost, so you get to keep them for years, before you can’t sharpen them anymore. I saw so many good reviews on these inexpensive shears, I had to try them. They are sharp, not as sharp as my Japanese shears, but very close. They have a nice balance to them, and they cut hair very well. These are excellent shears for beginners, and professionals can still use them as a second set, or your at home shears. I highly recommend these shears if you are in beauty school. The shears you get in your kit are not too sharp at all, these are much better, to learn with, and please stay away from professional Japanese shears, until you are proficient in hair cutting. Professional Japanese shears are so sharp if you touch the blade by accident , you are cut.” — Ariesspd4

Shaving All Your Pubic Hair

Going down there with a manual razor takes guts. It’s not an impossible task, but only the truly skilled know how to shave their balls. The slightest accident might leave you laid up in the emergency room — seriously. There are a lot of things pack in that little pouch. So while some visitors might admire the effort and feel of a soft canvas, it’s not something to rush. How else can you protect your genitals from skin abrasions or unwanted pathogens? Let your pubes handle their business or remove them with care.

Brazilian Wax for Men

Once in a while it’s cool to go for something different, yet statistically speaking, full pubic hair removal isn’t that different anymore. According to a study conducted by research site Statista in July 2017, 39% of American men remove all pubic hair completely, while only marginally more just trim, at 46%.

So let’s say you desire a fully bare groin area, know there are actual benefits that come with it. Cleaning up your boys is more sanitary and creates the illusion that your bits are well, a bit bigger. Shaving, waxing, depilatory creams and sugar wax can all get the job done.

If shaving that super sensitive skin (often referred to as the “bikini” area) with a traditional blade, make skin taut by pulling it back and don’t rush your strokes. Don’t be afraid to use an aftershave balm when you’re done. If waxing, we fully recommend seeing a professional. Be very specific with your lingo before going in for this service. Let the aesthetician know exactly where you would still like to see hair or just go bold, er… bald and request a “Boyzilian.” Remember that this option requires some upkeep as well.

We recommend:

Fur Fuller Frontal Collection

When ripping hairs out from the root in areas that enjoy warm, dark, moist conditions regularly, there are some extra steps you can take to help keep you bump (and itch) free. Fur Oil softens hair regrowth and clears pores  while the stubble cream makes regrowth feel soft and fine. Fur’s Ingrown Concentrate targets bumps, redness and irritation which can really be a pain in the ass, pun intended. These products are all available separately, but we suggest going all in if you’re taking all your hair out.

Promising Review: “My gal and I both love the way you feel when you’re done!” — Alan

How to Shave Your Neck

Fellas, trust us when we say that this isn’t an area you want to neglect in your grooming. If you’re prone to neck hair, it’s probably a good idea for you to spend some time each week keeping it tame – whether that means shaving or trimming it down – because otherwise you’ll risk looking like the Wolfman.

But – and this is incredibly, incredibly important – the biggest mistake you can make isn’t not shaving your neck, but shaving only half of your neck. How does this happen? Well, when you’re looking in the mirror in the morning, you see your facial hair, and you see the hairs growing on the front of your neck, but the hairs at the back of your neck are invisible to you without a second mirror. And a whole lot of men don’t bother to carefully shave the back of their necks, resulting in a lot of hairy patches that you might not be able to see, but that everyone unfortunate enough to catch a glance of the back of your head will definitely notice.

Best case scenario: have a friend, spouse or significant other give you a hand. Failing that, use a second mirror (or your phone’s camera, if you’re desperate) and finish the job properly. Make sure not to skimp on shaving cream, though: you don’t want razor burn or razor bumps on the back of your neck.

Don’t Shave Patterns … Anywhere

Unless it’s for comic relief and going to be shaved after the laughter dies down, guys should never shave any of their hair into patterns of any kind. This applies especially to pubic hair. Whomever you’re inviting to visit down there shouldn’t need directions – arrows, text or any symbols at that – shaped into your pubes to get the message. A simple undisturbed treasure trail will do just fine.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you how you want to wear your body hair. Whether it’s for you, or the one you share it with, we can only give you the best suggestions on how to cover all your bases. Whatever you do, get out there and have fun, be safe and remember, hair grows back, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

Full Body Laser Hair Removal

Sick and tired of dealing with razors and shaving cream and hard-to-reach places? Maybe you experience skin irritation, razor burn, or razor bumps every time you manscape? There’s another option, which we have touched on, and it’s something more expensive but also longer-lasting, though you won’t be able to administer this one to yourself: laser hair removal.

It’s not a viable option for everyone – very fair-haired people, including men with white hair, may be excluded – but most men will be able to undergo a series of short, painless laser treatments designed to kill the hair root using concentrated light energy. This isn’t a permanent solution to body hair, since the follicle itself is left undamaged, but it will take much longer for the hairs to return. Treatments last up to 30 minutes, depending on your hair coarseness, and effective results can require up to 8 sessions, depending on how much body hair you have.

Most often used for smaller areas (neck and armpits) or for hard to reach areas such as back hair, instead of a depilatory cream such as Veet or a hair removal spray, this is not typically something men end up using in their genital area.

Laser hair removal is a great option for those looking for longer-lasting solutions to their body hair woes, but the results don’t come cheap: average cost per treatment seems to range from $300 to over $600.