Do you remember the innocent times when body waxing was strictly for women and male strippers? Well, those days are over as men from all across the world are raising the cosmetic bar, removing body hair (which was once considered attractive a la Burt Reynolds) one rip at a time. And we’re not just talking about the chest and back, but the whole package. For skin so smooth, male body waxing could be a bumpy ride for you gents out there.
What is it?
Steve Carrell gettin' his male-body-wax on in the movie 40 Year Old Virgin.
Male body waxing is really no different than standard waxing. The procedure aims to remove unwanted hair by spreading a thin layer of wax onto the desired area and then applying a cloth over the wax which is to be ripped off rather quickly (like a band-aid) against the direction of the hair growth. Ultimately, the wax pulls out the hair (beginning from the roots) as well as dead skin cells. Sugaring is a similar procedure, except sugar paste (generally a mixture of sugar, lemon, and water) is substituted for the wax.
The idea behind waxing is that after repeated sessions, the hair being waxed will gradually thin out because the roots are weakened. This doesn’t mean that the area will be permanently hairless but it will take longer for hair to grow back and the hair that does grow back will generally be less thick than before.
While the back and chest remain the most popular areas for male waxing, more and more men are requesting full bikini waxes, as well as butt (also known as ass) waxing, and in some cases, full body waxing. And have no fear, men who are bashful about going to waxing salons. Now estheticians (professional waxers) make house calls. There’s also the prospect of using do-it-yourself waxing kits, though it may be best to get some professional assistance, especially if you’re going for the whole Brazilian wax deal.
Who needs it?
The only person who really needs male body waxing is Robin Williams (that man acts and looks like an animal). But for the rest of us, it’s purely a matter of personal aesthetics. While the tradition of body waxing has held sway for professional male body builders, swimmers, and cyclists, it’s becoming a more popular trend with men everywhere because some simply feel they look more attractive sans body hair. Some do it for vanity, some do it for their ladies, and still others do it (the bikini wax, that is) because they claim it makes their “junk” look bigger. Ultimately, if you are bothered by your unibrow, hairy back or chest, happy trail, or hairy toes and knuckles, you may want to give body waxing a try.
Benefits
Waxing is widely considered the best long-lasting approach to hair removal. It typically takes 3 to 8 weeks for the hair to grow back, which is significantly longer than the rate at which hair re-grows when shaved or when depilatory creams are used. Moreover, when the hair does grow back it is softer and thinner. This is mostly due to the fact that waxing removes hair from the root whereas shaving and creams eliminate hair from the surface, causing hair to grow back faster and leave stubble or bumps.
Risks
While male body waxing is by no means a life-threatening procedure, there are some downsides that should be mentioned. First of all, it is painful (we’ve all seen The 40-Year Old Virgin) so it’s recommended that you take an Advil before any waxing occurs to combat any pain that you experience during the treatment. It is also recommended that you cease shaving (for at least ten days) in the area you plan to get waxed; failure to do so could cause the procedure to hurt much more than it would with longer hairs.
There’s also some risk involved with the do-it-yourself waxing kits, especially for men considering doing their own bikini wax. Without the proper credentials, waxing of this kind of magnitude can result in bruising, torn blood vessels, and worst of all, you can actually rip your penis. Clearly, nobody wants that. Unfortunately, the alternative is to make an appointment with a licensed esthetician, which is generally pretty expensive. But it’s your call, ripped penis or empty wallet.
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