Humans have been trying to deal with body hair removal since Ancient Egypt. Whether it be a way to demonstrate your social status or keep your body clean, the methods used to remove body hair have varied over the years, with some methods being more questionable than others. And while body hair growth and removal did shape gender roles, some believe that it wasn’t until 1871 when Charles Darwin published his book ”The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex” that removal of body hair was a necessity for women who wanted to be seen as feminine and attractive.
Although humans do not have a need to have as much hair on our bodies compared to our hairy primate ancestors, body hair still serves a purpose. Human body hair no longer has any survival value, but it still retains importance when it comes to epidermal homeostasis (the maintenance of skin tissue integrity), wound healing, and skin tumorigenesis (the generation of tumors in the skin). On the other hand, the removal of body hair does have its benefits — shaving off hair has helped prevent infestations of lice and other parasites, which is certainly not ideal for those living in close quarters and who do not have access to regular showers or baths. Additionally, having a lot of hair traps perspiration, which leads to a breeding ground for bacteria that produce unpleasant odor. However, with more people having access to water on a daily basis and being able to clean themselves, this is not as big of an issue as it may have once been.
The term “clean-shaven” started to become synonymous with “hygienic,” and marketing for men’s personal shaving products emphasized the idea that a man who has a clean-shaven face is a man who is hygienic, modern, and civilized. This idea has roots in racist and classist ideology, wanting to separate white middle- and upper-class Americans from lower-class immigrants from other countries. Additionally, body hair was starting to be linked — with the help of many 19th century medical and scientific experts — to “sexual inversion, disease pathology, lunacy, and criminal violence.” Unsurprisingly, these connotations were largely being applied to women who chose not to shave, rather than males. All of this leads to 1915, when Harper’s Bazaar became the first women’s magazine to run a campaign that portrayed the removal of underarm hair as a “necessity.” Until this point, the removal of body hair — while definitely setting the standards for beauty ideals — was not considered absolutely necessary for women. By 1964, 98% of American women aged 15 to 44 were regularly shaving their legs. Despite these numbers, shaving was not as common as it is today, and many different hair removal methods for different parts of the body exist.
Many young girls and women, being exposed to ads in magazines, social media, TV commercials, and even just peer pressure, feel that there is an expectation to remove their body hair. Some say that the increased emphasis on body hair removal for females after the 1960’s and 70’s came with the rise of explicit pop culture, the increasing popularity of waxing, and more and more p*rnography that featured individuals who had completely removed all of their hair in the genital region. After over a hundred years of pushing the idea that body hair was not natural and being hairless meant being clean and attractive, hairlessness for the female body has become the norm, and body hair removal methods have only gotten more and more precise over the years.
As someone who identifies as a female, I’m no stranger to feeling the pressure to shave and remove my body hair. I remember begging my mother in fourth or fifth grade, shortly after starting puberty, to buy me a razor so I could shave my arms and legs, after seeing multiple magazine ads that featured these razors designed “specially for tweens and teens.” My parents did not buy me a razor like I wanted, and I was told that I didn’t even have any hair to shave. Despite their efforts, I couldn’t stop feeling like there was a part of me that I needed to hide or remove, especially as I got older and started to grow hair in multiple places.
In the past decade or so, there has been increasing pushback against this norm that pushes girls and women to shave and remove their body hair. Our culture has begun to shift, with people encouraging positive conversation around female body hair and pushing for individual empowerment. We are starting to see more ads that feature women with natural body hair on their armpits, legs, face, and other areas. The companies that produce razors and other hair removal products, such as Billie, are starting to change their narrative, from one that essentially pushes the idea that women have no choice in their decision to shave, to one that encourages the right to choose what to do with one’s body hair.
Shaving. Waxing. Creams. There are many different ways to remove hair permanently or temporarily, and all of them have their pros and cons. Ultimately, no one should ever feel the need to remove their body hair, especially when it is something that is natural and has its own purpose of keeping us warm and even protecting our skin in certain instances. The body positivity movement encourages people to practice self-love, whether or not their body matches beauty and other norms we place on ourselves, and it’s important to present ourselves the way that makes us feel the most confident and empowered.
FAQs
The simple answer is yes, shaving body hair can help reduce body odour! Underarm hair is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria, which thrive under the protective cover of the body hair, boosting the smell of perspiration as a result.
Why is it better to not shave? ›
Body hair, especially in sensitive areas like the armpits and groin, acts as a barrier against friction and bacteria. By allowing hair to grow, individuals can reduce the risk of skin irritation and infections, promoting healthier skin overall. Shaving can often lead to redness, itching, and painful ingrown hairs.
Should men shave their stomach hair? ›
Here's a good—if not obvious—rule of thumb: Depending on the extent you trim your chest, your stomach should be shorn to at least the same level, probably even shorter. It's a visual thing, really. As for below the belly button, don't hesitate to simply pick up a trimmer and go to town.
Is it good to remove body hair? ›
Deciding to remove body hair is a personal choice. Getting rid of body hair doesn't make a person healthier, and you shouldn't feel pressured to do so if you don't want to. Some cultures view body hair as beautiful and natural, so do what feels right to you!
What happens if you never shave your body hair? ›
Shaving exfoliates by removing the dead cells every time the razor glides across the surface of the skin. Nazarian says that if you stop shaving, you will accumulate a layer of skin at the top of the epidermis, making it a little tougher for products like moisturizers to penetrate and be effective.
Do men like hairy or shaved? ›
Women regularly remove their body hair, and the media portrays them as more attractive for doing so. Current research confirms this, showing that heterosexual men are more attracted to women with a hairless body.
Is it better to be shaved down there or not? ›
Shaving, whether it's your legs, armpits, or pubic area, is a personal choice. You certainly don't have to shave before sex if you don't want to. Shaving pubic hair (or not) is a cosmetic preference, and it does not mean you are "cleaner" if you shave. If you do prefer to shave, try not to do it right before sex.
Is it good to let your body hair grow out? ›
If you're feeling restricted by beauty standards, it may be time to put down the razor and let your body hair grow out. Whether you find hair removal uncomfortable, expensive or you just don't have the time – that's okay! There are no rules when it comes to body hair. Remember, you're in control.
Do we need body hair? ›
Human body hair no longer has any survival value, but it still retains importance when it comes to epidermal homeostasis (the maintenance of skin tissue integrity), wound healing, and skin tumorigenesis (the generation of tumors in the skin).
Why guys shouldn t shave pubic hair? ›
The skin at the pubic area is thinner and more easily irritated than the skin anywhere else on the body, and an infection can develop if the hair is trimmed too short or grows back into the skin at an awkward angle. Ingrown hairs are more common in the pubic region because the hair there is rougher and thicker.
If your hair is relatively short, then you don't have to worry about this, but if you have been growing out a nice mane for a few months, then you might want to trim the length down a bit. You can go over all the hair in the lower abdominal region using a guard length of two or three.
Will my stomach hair grow thicker if I shave it? ›
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse or "stubbly" for a time as it grows out. During this phase, the hair might be more noticeable and perhaps appear darker or thicker.
What are the disadvantages of shaving? ›
While shaving can have many benefits, there are also some potential downsides. One of the most common issues is the risk of cuts and nicks, particularly when using a dull razor. There's also the potential for razor burn, ingrown hairs, and skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
What happens if you never shave your pubic hair? ›
The benefits of not shaving pubic hair are avoiding irritation, cuts, and ingrowns—when you don't shave, you won't get irritated. If you don't shave your pubic hair, nothing happens, but it's important to keep it clean with a daily genital-friendly wash and exfoliant to keep odor at bay.
What is the current trend for male pubic hair in the USA? ›
Male pubic hair is currently less "full bush" and more "clean-cut," which is the current trend. As a result, not all men should completely shave off their pubic hair because doing so can cause excruciating discomfort and even unpleasant skin conditions like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
What are the disadvantages of shaving body hair? ›
In short, shaving can pose the risk of ingrown hairs, razor burns, and skin irritation. If you exfoliate and use a lubricating gel, you will have less irritation.
Do athletes shave their pubes? ›
Men who like to exercise or get involved in sporting activities will often also enjoy a neatly trimmed pubic hair style nowadays and some may even consider shaving all their pubes.
Is it good to shave pubic hair? ›
Some people don't do anything with their pubic hair, leaving it to grow naturally. Some remove hair when they'll be wearing a bathing suit, and some remove hair regularly. No health benefits are linked to removing pubic hair, so choose what feels right for you.
Is it better for your skin to shave or not? ›
Shaving is generally safe for your skin in the long term, provided that you're following the correct techniques and using the right products. But continuous poor shaving habits can lead to persistent skin irritation and can even darken the skin over time (a condition known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
