Waxing vs Shaving for Body Hair: A Guide to All-Over Hair Control (2024)

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Manscaping has been on the rise in recent years. Male waxing and shaving is a whole new ball game for many men, who now realise that they don’t have to let it all grow out if they don’t want to! But should you shave or wax? Here’s our guide to all-over hair control.

What Are the Benefits of Waxing & Shaving Body Hair?

It might seem like a pain but waxing and shaving some of your body hair can have numerous benefits. Sporty men could find better performance and heightened comfort from streamlining their volume of body hair. However, it’s not just the physical aspects that can be appealing; it can improve things in an existential sense as well.

Very hairy men can lack confidence in situations where being shirtless is expected. Beach days, sunbathing, playing sports in hot weather – they can all become a moment of dread for men who are insecure about their body hair. However, you can change this!

Waxing vs Shaving for Body Hair: A Guide to All-Over Hair Control (14)

You don’t normally question whether to shave or wax your face (the majority of men choose shave), but you can certainly choose whether shave or wax your chest, back, shoulders, arms, legs and bum. When looking at waxing and shaving your body hair, you’ll find that each one has its pros and cons, and what works for one man may not work for another. Male waxing has seen a surge of popularity but there are certain aspects that mean it may not be the right method for you long term. Shaving can be seen as more effort but does have benefits of waxing insofar as cost and effectiveness are concerned.

Let’s take a deeper look at both:

Pros and Cons of Waxing & Shaving

Male Waxing

Pros:

  • Gets rid of the hair at the follicle, meaning it takes longer than shaved hair to grow back
  • Can be done by a beauty technician so you don’t have to be a contortionist to wax it all
  • Leaves skin feeling smooth and hair free for up to 3 weeks

Cons:

  • It hurts! You can ‘man up’ as much as you want, but the sting is very real
  • It can leave a rash, especially if you don’t wax regularly or have sensitive skin
  • It’s expensive; depending on how much you want done and how often, it could leave a bit of a dent in your wallet

Waxing vs Shaving for Body Hair: A Guide to All-Over Hair Control (15)

Male Shaving

Pros:

  • It’s a lot cheaper than waxing, you only to invest in a good razor and a few quality grooming products
  • It can be easily incorporated into your routine – although you won’t need to do it every day, you know you’ll have the means to keep things tidy whenever you want
  • You can do it yourself! If you can shave your face, you can probably shave your chest too

Cons:

  • It is possible to get a shaving rash on newly-shaved skin which could be exacerbated by clothing
  • Shaving won’t last as long as waxing, as you are cutting the hair at the point it breeches the skin rather than deep into the follicle
  • There may be some areas you can’t quite reach yourself!

Whichever you prefer out of waxing and shaving, you need to know you have the right products supporting your skin.

Choosing the Right Products for Waxing and Shaving

The skin that hides beneath your body hair is likely to be sensitive after your first shave or wax. Choosing products that work in harmony with male skin is integral to making waxing or shaving part of your grooming routine.

There are a number of elements that can cause irritation after shaving and waxing – your clothing rubbing against the skin, the feeling of hair beginning to grow back, or sweat and dirt that was previously caught up in your hair is now making its way into your skin. In any of these events, you need to devote yourself to products that reduce irritation and maximise moisture.

Waxing vs Shaving for Body Hair: A Guide to All-Over Hair Control (16)

If you shave or wax your face without irritation, it may not necessarily mean your skin will react the same if you shave or wax your chest. Make sure you exercise damage control with a high-quality moisturiser and aftershave balm.

Bulldog Skincare’s products are specially formulated for the unique needs of male skin. From head to toe, ourOriginal RangeandSensitive Rangeare perfect for encouraging a healthy skin regime, whether you decide to shave or wax.

Waxing vs Shaving for Body Hair: A Guide to All-Over Hair Control (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to shave or wax body hair? ›

waxing, we can see that waxing is the best method to remove hair if you want the very best results and to keep your skin looking its best for longer. When seeing a trained professional, waxing puts an end to ugly razor bumps, itchiness, and hyperpigmentation that causes areas of the body to turn darker than the rest.

Is it better to wax or shave manscaping? ›

*Waxing removes hair from the root and damages the hair follicle. (Shaving simply sloughs away the surface layer of hair, so the follicle remains intact.) Therefore, you're smoother, longer if you wax rather than shave (so long, five o'clock shadow)… *…and your hair regrowth comes in finer, softer, less dense.

Why do people wax instead of shave? ›

One of the top reasons people prefer waxing over shaving is that the results will last much longer. This is because Wax removes hair by the root, whereas razors remove only the hair above the surface of the skin. Typically waxing can give you hair-free skin for several weeks longer than shaving.

Is it better to nair or wax? ›

In comparing hair removal creams vs. waxing, hair removal creams remove hair without pain while waxing can cause some discomfort. But when it comes to long-lasting results, waxing takes the lead.

Should you wax your pubic hair? ›

Whether you choose to rip the hair off (waxing) or cut it off (shaving), the choice is yours, but there are pros and cons to both. Waxing gives you about 3-4 till hair growth and does not leave a stubble immediately. However, it can be a painful process and can lead to redness and ingrown hair if not done properly.

Is it better to wax or shave peach fuzz? ›

It goes without saying that shaving removes the hair, but the exfoliation from a razor is far less than that of dermaplaning or waxing. Shaving also blunts the end of the hair, which can lead to ingrown hairs and razor burn and will have a stubbly feel when it grows back.

Is it healthier to have pubic hair or to shave? ›

Removing pubic hair may therefore make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections. Hair removal can also irritate your skin, leading to skin infections such as cellulitis and folliculitis. In other cases, grooming-related injuries, such as cuts, could become infected.

Should I shave my belly hair? ›

Body hair, including belly hair, is completely normal. Some people keep the hair on their belly, while others choose to remove it. There's no medical reason to remove the hair from your stomach — it's purely a personal preference.

Is it better to shave pubes wet or dry? ›

Warm water hydrates and softens your pubic hair and skin for an easier cut. So, shower for a few minutes before you dive into shaving down there. In the meantime, you can wash the rest of your body…or practice your karaoke faves. Lubrication is essential for shaving, especially when you're shaving pubic hair.

Why is waxing not good? ›

Waxing cons

Because the hair is removed at the root, some people say waxing is more painful than shaving. The hot wax can also burn your skin if you're not careful. Waxing can cause inflamed hair follicles, pain, redness, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

Is Nair better than shaving? ›

You bet. The smooth, hair-free skin achieved with Nair™ products lasts days longer than shaving, because Nair™ hair removal creams chemically remove hair below the skin's surface. Shaving physically removes it just above the surface. For even longer lasting results, try Nair™ waxes.

Who cannot get waxed? ›

Eczema or Psoriasis: Cracked or open skin is open to infection and should be completely healed before any wax treatment. History of Cold Sores or Fever Blisters: Waxing can cause a flare-up. Severe Varicose Leg Veins: These are known to make waxing more prone to “skin lifting” or wax burn.

Can guys use Nair on their private area? ›

It is OK for men to use Nair as long as they use the men's line and take a few precautions before using it to remove hair in their private parts.

Why does Nair not work on pubic hair? ›

Does Nair work on pubic hair? Nair can work to remove pubic hair, but should be removed with a soft cloth rather than the plastic spatula.

What is the best hair removal for coarse hair? ›

Method 1: Epilator

"While epilation can be used for all hair types, it is best in removing coarse, straight hair." If you're not a candidate for laser hair removal, epilation may be your next best bet.

Is it healthy to wax body hair? ›

Waxing can be an excellent option for managing unwanted hair. However, it can result in side effects, like pain, infections, and ingrown hairs. To prevent or reduce the risk of side effects, be sure to choose an esthetician carefully, prepare your skin beforehand, and soothe it afterward.

Do bodybuilders shave or wax their bodies? ›

Many professional bodybuilders and fitness devotees shave because hair-free skin shows muscle definition better. Even if you're not in the pro circuit, there's no shame in showing off your gains at the gym. After all, you work hard and it shows –– so show what you've earned while hitting those weights.

Which is safer, waxing or shaving? ›

Take Care. Waxing and shaving are both safe, but I use the option of shaving as it takes less time and cost is also minimal. Normally, shaving is done on wet, lathery skin in order to produce a smooth, comfortable glide of the razor on the skin.

Why choose waxing over shaving? ›

Not only can waxing be faster than shaving (especially for smaller areas) but the results from waxing are also longer-lasting with little-to-no irritation, there's no way to get razor burn when you ditch the razor and you're less likely to develop ingrown hairs when you wax!

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