For Men: Your Questions About Male Body Hair Answered

While body hair removal is mostly considered a woman’s affair, many men are now engaging in this endeavor. It is popular among athletes who do so to reduce friction and resistance, which can then improve athletic performance. A clean-shaven body, furthermore, is said to help them recover faster and prevent injuries. 

Are you also considering body hair removal for yourself? Are you wondering what your options are and how they can benefit you? Continue reading as we answer the most common questions about male body hair.

1. What is the purpose of body hair?

The human body has about five million hair follicles that spread across the entire surface of the skin. Most of these follicles produce tiny vellus hairs that are fine, light-colored, and almost invisible. 

The main purpose of body hair is to help regulate temperature. It provides insulation to keep the body warm, as well as wick away sweat to help you cool off.

Other key functions include:

• Hair on the scalp preserves heat and keeps us warm
• Protects sensitive areas (such as eyes and nose) from dust and other particles
• Helps prevent chafing (hair in the legs, arms, genitalia)

2. What is (considered) manscaping?

Manscaping is the combination of the words “man” and “landscaping”. It refers to keeping all the hair areas of the body tidy or well-kept using tools such as razors, trimmers, and aftershave products. Manscaping basically means male body grooming to look and feel clean, smell good, and be more confident in your body. 

It was originally described or referred to as men’s hair removal down there. It then evolved into a general term for male grooming or removal/trimming of hair for cosmetic purposes. Many men manscape around shower time as warm water can help soften body hair, making it easier to shave or groom. 

A few areas you can manscape include the: 

• Chest
• Back
• Arms and legs
• Armpit
• Genital area/pubic hair
• Ears
• Nose
• Eyebrows

For further reading:7 Things You Need to Know About Brazilian Laser Hair Reduction

3. Does removing body hair reduce body odor? 

Yes, it does. As hair can trap sweat and bacteria, removing it means less surface area for the bacteria to hold on to, which then reduces odor. The underarm, which is a common source of smell, is a breeding ground for bacteria due to the hair in the area. Bacteria thrive in those hairs, increasing the smell of perspiration.

It is worth noting, however, that it isn’t the sweat itself that actually smells. The bacteria in the skin break down the acid in your sweat, which then creates an unpleasant smell. Shaving, waxing, or any other method of hair removal in Singapore can help reduce bacteria, resulting in less smell.

4. What are my options for removing body hair?

The options for hair removal in women are also available to men. These include:

• Shaving – the easiest and most accessible method. It involves using razors to cut the hair at the surface of the skin. There are now specialty razors with wide blades and long handles to shave back and shoulders.
• Waxing – lasts longer than shaving. It uses a hot paste or wax that sticks to the hair with a strip of cloth layered over it. Then, the cloth is removed, which then pulls the hair from the root.
• Depilatories – (also known as hair removal creams) involve using a chemical-based cream that works by dissolving the hair follicles. It enables the hair to be wiped or washed away, revealing smoother skin afterward. Hair removal creams, however, have ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.
• Electrolysis – uses an electric current inserted into the skin, which then destroys individual hair follicles. It is the only permanent hair removal method and eliminates regrowth when done the right way. It, however, is a very slow and tedious process, can be painful, and has a higher risk of scarring if performed incorrectly.
• Light-based hair removal – involves using a light source that targets the follicles and inhibits future hair growth. These methods require multiple sessions and can lead to permanent hair reduction. Some of the most popular light-based methods include: 

• Laser hair reduction – uses concentrated pulses of laser light that target the follicles. An Nd:YAG type of laser device bypasses the skin’s melanin and specifically targets the follicle’s pigment. This damages the follicles and inhibits future hair growth.
• Super hair reduction (SHR) – uses 50% of the light energy to target the hair’s pigment and the other 50% to target stem cells responsible for hair production. It scans the area with gentler pulses of energy, instead of delivering high-intensity energy shots to the skin surface.
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) hair reduction – uses a specially tailored light source for permanent hair reduction. IPL targets the hair pigment, which then absorbs the heat energy, destroying the hair follicle. 

5. Does body hair offer protection from the sun?

As body hair can serve as a barrier from environmental aggressors, many would assume that it protects our skin from the harmful effects of the sun. The truth, however, is it does the opposite. As droplets of water and sweat cling to body hair, it can provide more surface to catch light. This then creates a magnifying effect that intensifies the sun’s UV rays.

Thick or extra body hair, furthermore, makes it difficult to apply a good layer of sunscreen on the skin. Having more body hair or peach fuzz could mean applying extra SPF to get enough protection. The sad part is it can look patchier than if you have less hair or smooth skin. 

6. Why are more men opting to remove body hair nowadays? 

More men nowadays are picking up razors or considering more permanent hair removal methods to reduce their bodies and for different reasons. These include:

• For personal hygiene
• For aesthetic reasons 
• To avoid body odor and smell better
• To improve athletic performance in certain sports
• Personal preference 

7. Does hair grow back thicker after shaving? 

No, it does not. This is only a misconception. The pigment, thickness, and the rate at which your hair grows are determined by genetics, and other factors such as nutrition and nerve function. Your hormones can also affect hair growth and texture. Hair on different areas of the body, furthermore, has different growth cycles.

Hair growth after shaving might feel thicker and look darker because the hair’s tip now has:  a blunter edge. The razor only cuts away from the surface of the skin and doesn’t completely remove it. This hair growth is the exact opposite of unshaven hair, which is softer and has a tapered tip.

Whatever you decide about body hair removal in Singapore, Sanctuary by Cutis is here to support you in being the confident version of yourself. We offer SHR and IPL hair reduction, and our medical arm, Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, offers laser hair reduction. WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 today to learn more or book an appointment.