While the activity of “manscaping” has been in use for centuries (ancient Egyptians and Romans did it too), it is no longer just for actors and models who do it for the sake of appearance. Many men are embracing it for hygienic reasons as well as achieving a more youthful look or to show off their muscle tone and other body features. Since men don’t all have the same amount or type of body hair (due largely to heredity, age, and diet) each man must decide for himself what level of grooming he wants to pursue. I personally prefer to retain some body hair, albeit well-groomed, but there are times that smoothly trimmed is preferable. For some further information about different regions you may consider grooming, this article on Guyism.com may be helpful.
Due to the rising interest in male grooming, many manufacturers such as Norelco and Braun are offering better tools specifically suited for the task. The question of whether to manscape or not is a personal decision every man must consider. For some, the answer is decided upon more rapidly than others, and without much thought into why or how they would do it. Some men prefer to perform no grooming at all, opting for ‘au naturel’ body hair while some opt to remove all body hair, but an increasing population are falling somewhere in the middle. There are numerous factors leading to the rise in men’s grooming, but for now I’ll simply discuss tools and tips for achieving the “smooth” look.
For those who opt to remove all body hair, the most commonly used tools are a razor and electric foil-type clippers. Since most men grow up familiar with a razor, this is the tool used most often as men step into the areas of manscaping. Another option is waxing, but this can be very painful if the area is more hairy or if you have sensitive skin. When done improperly, and I know from personal experience, waxing can cause bleeding, welts, and inconsistent hair removal. If you’d like to pursue this method, I strongly encourage having the area waxed by a professional.
Razor
Pros: Readily available, numerous styles, many cost options, familiar.
Cons: Increased risk of cuts, shorter product life-cycle, requires shave gel/cream.
Method: Using small circular motions, apply shaving cream or gel to the area to be shaved. Drag the razor across the skin against the direction of hair growth. Rinse area with cool water and repeat until all unwanted hair is removed. Once the shave is complete, apply a hydrating non-greasy lotion such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
Equipment Suggestion: Razors with multiple blades may cut closer with fewer strokes, but their larger size can make them difficult to navigate precisely. Many models offer a “lubricating strip” of some sort and this is highly recommended.
Tips: To decrease the risk of cuts, and to get a closer shave, the area being shaved should be washed, moist, and warm. A shower or bathtub is the best location to shave but may require use of a shaving mirror. Avoid using multiple strokes across the same area since it may worsen “razor burn.” If you shave your groin area, do not use that same razor on other body parts since it could cause infection.
Shaving areas that are cut, abraded, or sunburned is not recommended. And be very careful not to cut any skin growths such as skin tags, warts, or pimples.
Foil-type Clippers
Pros: Lower ongoing cost, decreased risk of cuts, doesn’t cause razor burn, no water or shave cream needed.
Cons: Requires access to an electrical outlet, doesn’t shave as closely, more practice needed, generates heat with prolonged use.
Method: Power the electric clippers on and drag across the skin against the direction of hair growth. Rinse area with cool water and repeat until all unwanted hair is removed. Once completed, apply hydrating non-greasy lotion (Aveeno).
Equipment Suggestion: Body groomer with a “foil” shaving head. Some models also have a traditional clipper before the “foil” to cut longer hairs to a short enough length for the “foil” to be effective. Cordless models allow more freedom of use.
Tips: The area to be shaved should be washed clean and dried before beginning. If clippers begin to feel warm, power off and wait until they cool down before proceeding. Extra care should be used around skin growths such as skin tags, warts, or pimples.
Based on my experience with grooming, the best tool for achieving a smooth look without razor-burned skin is Norelco’s Bodygroom (BG2020). It’s cordless so you don’t have to worry about getting tangled-up or being tied to the electrical outlet. The foil cutting head trims close enough to look good and the extra cutting blades are adequate for some detailing. While I don’t recommend using it in the shower, it can be used wet or dry so you don’t have to worry about it breaking if it does get wet.
