Body hair is one of the most visible gender characteristics, especially in a society that almost dictates women remove errant hair. Smooth and hairless is the recommended option for women.
I find that to be preferable for myself. Left untouched, my body is of average hairiness -- for a guy. Which is way more hair than a woman wants. I shave my entire body once a week and I like the sleek, smooth appearance it creates. Body hair reminds me of maleness and removing it makes me feel more natural.
Plus, I discovered when I started shaving that the skin on my arms has the same freckling my mother had. I never saw that through the hair. I like the physical reminder of my deceased mom.
Do you have a lot of body hair? Do you remove it? How? Is it easy or hard?
I shave because lesser means don't work on my coarse hair. (I tried.) One major obstacle I have is I can't reach the back of my upper thighs. How does anyone shave there? And, even with a mirror and bodily contortion, I can't seem to get my butt smooth. I once asked a gal how she got rid of hair on her butt and she looked at me strangely, explaining "I don't have hair on my butt!" Okay, so maybe it's a transgender problem, not a girl problem.
Do you have any thoughts on body hair?
I shave, but it's a pain in the ass and it's time consuming and I'd rather not. As far as reaching your upper thighs, I don't have any tricks to offer. I don't shave my legs higher than my knees. The hair that's there is so thin and sparse, it's just not necessary.
ReplyDeletedepilatory cream for bikini area and shave elsewhere - it is an absolute pain, so much that in the winter when I am wearing tights and covered up I don't shave at all, I call it my winter coat haha! but like Maggie, I only shave to my knees and I don't shave my arm hair (I'm English, I don't know if its that, but I have never come across it as an option) I think its lovely however that you and your Mum share freckles, discovered through shaving x
ReplyDeleteAlso hate shaving ~ shave legs up to knees, bikini and underarm I prefer to have waxed at the beauty salon. Never thought of shaving my arms. Like Maria and Maggie say the hair above the knees is kinda thin and sparse so never shaved there.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky in that I don't really have a ton of body hair. It's pretty light, which is weird, since I'm largely Italian Romani, and they're known for being hairy!! I go a long time between shaving my legs, honestly. Sometimes I'll do it for a special event or just when I want to feel pampered/fancy, but I really don't do it that often. I always shave my armpits though!
ReplyDeleteI think it's such a personal choice, and there are a lot of women I know who don't shave anything. I admire that but I always feel like if I don't shave my pits my deodorant isn't going to be as effective!! haha.
Hm, I haven't had difficulty shaving the backs of my legs before; I just reach back and shave there when it's swimsuit season (my memory may be rusty, as there is no bathing suit season here, so it's been a decade.)
ReplyDeleteWhat's the trouble, exactly? Being able to see?
Yes, being unable to see what I'm doing.
DeleteI am so lucky to not be too hairy......I have a cousin who we all think has Greek in her,she's so hairy!
ReplyDeleteI just shave the armpits, Epilady the legs and get my bikini line waxed.....I never touch the back of my thighs, when I did as a young lady shaving gave me nasty bumps. I'm naturally quite fair, so what is there is fine and light.
It's my eyebrows that annoy me most! I loathe plucking!!!
XXX
Ooh! I have a recommendation! My friend Bradley gets this hair removal cream from any store really that has an ethnic isle and it smells TURRIBLE, but it gets his butt baby smooth (and he loves showing it off). It's called Magic Razorless Cream Shave made by SoftSheen-Carson, this razorless beard remover is “formulated exclusively for black men.” Seriously though it works. This woman wrote about it in an article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thebeardediris.com/2011/06/14/diy-feminine-hygiene-tips/
Me personally, I don't shave except for my armpits. I have very little hair, and what is there is blonde. I shave my legs once a month maybe...sometimes.
=]
Thanks, Jess!
DeleteI shave my legs- tried going hippie style but I can't stand the look of my dark thick hair on my legs. Underarms, I grew out originally because I had bad metal allergies to razors for nearly 10 years, and then got used to the look. I pretended I was "European" lol. This present bfriend prefers I shave my arms, so now I do that- but meh- underarm hair, if grown but groomed doesn't bother me. I occasionally shave my arms- especially is I work out just because I like the way it looks.
ReplyDeleteI think people should be accepting of body hair- but anything goes in the name of personal preference- baby smooth, or mohair, mo' fun.
I only shave my pits and legs. The hair on my thighs is very fine and my skirts are rarely more than an inch above the knee so I don't bother shaving the thighs. The hair on my arms is barely visible so that's not an issue. And the lady parts: I just mow the grass. I don't scorch the earth if you know what I mean. Too itchy!
ReplyDeleteI shave my arm pits every 2-3 days. I shave my legs about once every two weeks. My hair is visible, but I don't particularly care. I do not shave my arm hair, even though mine is longer than my DH's, but it's blonde. Also I have a severe uncomfortableness with arm stubble. I keep my bikini line trimmed.
ReplyDeleteAlso I only shave knee-down. So I don't bother with my upper legs. I do have longish blonde hair on them, but I still don't shave it.
I also have a condition called KP (Keratosis Pilaris) - The excess keratin surrounds and entraps the hair follicles in the pore, which makes bumps appear. So I have a much higher chance of ingrown hairs when I do shave. Thankfully my KP is not red, but I do have the bumps along my upper arms and hips/thighs.
The DH has no issues with my body hair or lack of it. He made that clear from the beginning. I can go au natural and he isn't phased or less interested if I'm hairy or shaved.
I say do what makes you comfortable.
Man, that has an actual term!
DeleteI've only ever heard it called "Asian girl bumps" as it commonly appears on the upper arms of well, Asian women where the t-shirt sleeve rubs.
I use a scrubby cloth from The Body Shop once a week on my upper arms and legs and I don't see 'em any more.
I'm always surprised how many women don't shave their thighs. I have dark (but not heavy) hair on my legs, so I shave my whole leg in the summer. And my armpits. I don't shave at all in the winter, and hubby doesn't mind. I'm not very hairy. Now if you want to talk about the dark, random hairs on my chin, that's a constant battle!
ReplyDeleteThe easiest way to shave the back of your thighs is to lift your leg (my shower has a seat so I can put my foot up there) and shave it while it's taut. You don't really need to see - just feel that you're covering the area you want. And you can run that razor right up your bum, too! Carefully!!
I'm surprised, too, at how many women don't shave their thighs, as I learned from the comments to this post. In truth, the hair most gals have there is thin and light in contrast to mine which would create a rug if unattended. Thus, my ending comment about how this seems to be a TG, not girl, problem.
DeleteI certainly try shaving the back of my thighs "blind" but I miss patches. Which worries me. Even when I check with a mirror, I can't seem to erase them.
I'm not very hairy and seem to be becoming less so as I get older for some reason, I rarely shave any bits of me, so I'm not very good at giving advice on the subject I'm afraid! I love the idea that you shaved your arms and found you had the same arms as your mum, these family connections that reveal themselves to us out of the blue every so often are something to be treasured I think. xx
ReplyDeleteI have the Middle Eastern hairy gene and PCOS so I have extra body and facial hair. I wax my legs, shave under my arms and thread the sideburns. I don't do anything to my arms because it doesn't bother me even though it bothers everyone else. Obviously have to pluck neck and chin and I trim pubic hair with a pair of long bladed nail scissors. Trim the hedge not mow the lawn is my motto. I'm not a fan of bare beavers personally. My bum is a difficult one and I haven't figured that one out yet. If there's one place I wish I didn't have it, it's there, am envious of women who don't have to think about it
ReplyDeleteI hear ya...
DeleteHave to admit I dont shave as often as I should, but only the bottom parts of my legs and underarms when I do and usually only in summer. Bikini is kept trimmed though it's just plain uncomfortable to let that grow out. I shaved my arms once when I was in school and got teased about it so never did it again.
ReplyDeleteMy nemisis is those stray hairs on my chin, at least once a week the tweezers come out for a full scale battle on them, I think they are winning :-(
when It's winter I don't shave at all except for my Bikini area(I think it's easier to keep everything clean and fresh when it's shaved). My armpits are almost hairless so I don't shave them at all. My legs, only when I want to go swimming. I'm really lazy when it comes to bodyhair, haha.
ReplyDeleteI can only recommend laser removal or having someone else do it for you... otherwise maybe those hair removal creams? I use those for certain areas and they're quite effective, so maybe useful for those un-easy to see areas?
ReplyDeleteI've tried creams and lotions and none are strong enough. I've considered asking someone to do this for me but I'm too embarrassed to make that kind of request.
DeleteAlly I used to get the whole body wax thing done professionally, including embarrassing bits that my mother hasn't seen since I was a baby. It's very discrete and I've even said hello to her in the street without blushing :) I know that she had a lot of male customers as well ... But waxing is painful the first couple of times.
DeleteHairy butts is definitely a guy thing ... luckily for us girls. I use a combination of epilator, shaving, waxing and plucking. Reading back - that's insane, but such it is to fit in with my own idea of what is acceptable. Luckily I'm not very hairy, I epilate my legs and underarms, wax my moustache and now with the age, I'm having to start on the jawline - I also pluck and wax my eyebrows.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday Ally
Thanks, Wendy. And hearing about your regimen makes me feel better about myself. One of the interesting things about sharing private activities (like this type of grooming) is that it makes us feel less alone in our difficulties.
DeleteI'm an "every second day" shaver. The thoroughness of that shave, though, depends on activities. In winter I'm more concerned about bikini line and armpits, and only give a passing glance to legs, since I figure any little bit of stubble will help keep me warm. In summer, all three get more attention.
ReplyDeleteHow do you manage back hair? DH only becomes conscious of his in summer, so I'm expecting his desire to try some new option this year (Nair is great for the first two days afterwards, and then he just becomes a giant mess of redness after that)
I do shave my well... everything. it's not a problem for me due to doing it constantly it just take an extra minute in shower.
ReplyDeleteI did saw a hairy butt on ladies (not too many but some) so I guess it would make you feel better about this not so 'transgender' thing
In college I knew a dark-haired Egyptian woman who had more hair on her butt than I did. She was very insecure about it but the hair was tenacious and fought her every step of the way.
DeleteHahaha the hair talk! Oh God I hate discussing body hairs. I had a terrible accident with the bikini area that involved shaving and freckles (like yours, only mine are worse and they HURT).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I prefer the shaving technique for my legs. They're the fastest and less time consuming than others.
TIPS: after shaving, you should apply Alcohol 70 to the shaved area. It stings a little but it will prevent infection or nasty bumps after the shave. But apparently for the bikini area things are more complicated, you might wanna do some research first.
Good luck!
Nadya
eyeshadow illustrator
Thanks for the tip. I'm very careful around my private area and don't shave there to avoid hurting myself. Trim but don't shave.
DeleteThis is so funny you'd post this right now because my mom and I have been debating going and getting completely waxed at a salon. I have super sensitive skin so shaving leaves me with tons of bumps everywhere (except my legs). I'm so thankful I'm not a guy and don't have to shave my face, because I know I'd have razor bumps all over it. I'd just have to be a bearded mister.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we decided to buy wax at the drugstore to do at home. I'm doing mine today. I've done it before a couple of times and it's not pretty...but no bumps + no hair for six weeks makes it worthwhile.
Good luck!
DeleteI have very hairy arms (light hair) and my fiance jokes about it being my fur (as it stands on end when I am cold!) but I don't mind it as it doesn't look masculine, it's just there and I am used to it!! I shave my legs and underarm maybe once a week!x
ReplyDeleteI never dreamt I'd be discussing my ass hair in a public place but here goes.... LOLOLOL
ReplyDeleteFor someone of Celtic origins I must have some Chewbacca DNA in me. Arm hair is fine and blondish red so it stays. Have to shave the pits every day or I could braid it after a couple of days.
The leg hair is dark and thick. Shave every other day in summer--bit less in winter (YAY thick tights!!)
I shave the back of my thighs by stepping up on the edge of the tub so the area is horizontal and shaving away--I run my hand over the area several times to fee what I miss.
Is this TMI??? BTW--a good moisturizing hair conditioner makes a FANTASTIC shaving lotion--I've found it better than shaving cream or soap and it leaves the legs soft.
Thanks for sharing, buddy. There's something healthy about discussing our private activities in a safe place. I learn a lot from it and gain confidence.
DeleteSUCH a great question and discussion! I am not that hairy but my hair is dark. I shave my legs and underarms, but I've found that once I shave it comes back thicker and darker so I have to be careful of places that aren't that hairy. It is best for me to just leave the light hairs rather than shave them and have them forever be darker and thicker after. I really struggle with my bikini line. I have very very sensitive skin and I have yet to find something that deals well there. Right now I use a razor that has a trimmer on it for that area. I pluck my eyebrows and upper lip. The upper lip thing is a real pain because I don't want to bleach or shave it. Blarg!
ReplyDelete-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
I started saving up and bought a laser package....so hard to go back to shaving after that! I can now go just over a week (in the summer and a month in winter) without worrying about my legs or under my arms and let me tell you it's a wonderful feeling!
ReplyDeletexo
styleontheside.com
There is nothing unnatural about a female having body hair. We all have it to a certain extent, whether it be thick and dark hair or more like peach fuzz. Although I shave, I've often hated the fact that I've been brainwashed enough to feel it necessary (due to my heritage I'm prone to excessive amounts of body hair of the dark variety). I hate that it's all based on what men want. If men suddenly decided it was sexy for women to have hair, women would be dumping their razors left and right.
ReplyDeleteim a lazy shaver. i do it more often in the summer and much less in the winter.
ReplyDeleteIsabel @ Walk of Fashion
I've given up shaving recently, partially out of laziness and partially out of contrariness. My body hair is pretty dark but so far my world hasn't fallen apart from me not shaving, and I think my armpit hair is cute, so I think I'll continue not to. I've started reading a number of blogs written by women who have visible facial hair and choose to grow it out into a mustache or beard, and they all rock. I'm in favor of everybody growing or shaving their hair as they so choose; it's the idea that it's a requirement that chafes my hide.
ReplyDeleteI dunno if anyone's mentioned this yet, but there have been some great advancements in the area of laser hair removal. It's supposedly a lot less painful now, and it lasts for ages. As for the whole "back of the thighs" problem, I think that might be a TG issue as well. I only shave the backs of my thighs a few times a year, and I only shave the fronts about once a month in the summer (and only once or twice from autumn to spring!) I don't shave my arms, because the hair is sparse and fine, but I know some girls who do.
ReplyDeleteI don't like hair, i had laser done to remove it from my upper lip.
ReplyDeleteBut, it still grows! about 90% less but still. I remove whatever grows with cream.
For my eyebrows i sometimes have them groomed with the string technique, which hurts like hell but has nice results.
Legs, just shave them or go weeks with wearing pants :)
Being fair skinned and (naturally) relatively light haired (on my head), I haven't had battled much with body hair, which is good, because I know that I'd be doing everything in my power to get rid of it if I did. Of course I shave my legs and underarms (and south of the border), but that's all I have to do to keep body hair at bay.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a bit of hair (especially if it's well groomed) on a man. (IMO) It can be easy for chaps to veer into either Ken doll or pre-pubescent boy territory without a little hair here and there.
♥ Jessica