Have you ever heard of the term "manscaping"?
Simply put, manscaping is the practice of shaving or trimming your body hair. This hair removal trend has become hugely popular in recent years, and continues to spread fast thanks to the power of social media.
Today's men must go beyond taking care of their facial hair; they are taking a closer look at their body hair as well. Men who prefer to follow this trend do it mainly for hygiene and the benefits of a well-groomed look.
In this article, we'll take a look at the best manscaping tips for beginners, to help you get started without worries and hassles!
Why Do It? - The Benefits of Manscaping
One of the main benefits men who manscape report, is a boost in confidence. Men who trim/shave their body hair on a regular basis tend to feel more attractive and self-assured, which ends up impacting positively their personal and professional lives.
Another benefit is hygiene of course. As you know, body hair can act as a "trap" for dirt and sweat, and this can lead to a bad smell and even irritation.
Another benefit is that it makes sex, well... different. If you have some amount of body hair, you'll notice that there's another whole experience to be had if you shave it.
Shaving down there can even make your "tool" look around an inch bigger. Just be sure to do it with care!
There are some additional benefits that can be achieved through manscaping, for example it can help in avoiding fungal or bacterial infection, or maybe it can help with athlete's foot.
Getting Started with Manscaping
Basic Tools and Equipment
Before you start your manscaping journey, it's important to first have the right tools and equipment for the job. They include trimmers, razors, shaving cream, and a mirror. Every tool has a purpose and that should always be kept in mind.
Trimmers are great for cutting down longer body hair, while razors are best for getting a close shave. Shaving cream is important for lubricating the skin and preventing irritation.
When selecting the right body grooming products, it's important to consider your specific needs. If you have sensitive skin, you'll want to choose a razor with multiple blades for a closer and gentler shave. If you need to take care of larger areas of your body, it may be wise want to invest in a cordless electric trimmer that will give you greater mobility.
- Trimmers: They are pretty useful for cutting down longer hair. Nowadays there are corded and cordless trimmers, and often have different attachments and guard options that let you adjust exactly how long you want the hair to be.
- Razors: They are essential for getting a close shave and achieving a smooth look and sensation. There are different types of razors, for example traditional safety razors and cartridge razors. Some products have razors with special arms to shave hard-to-reach areas like the back.
- Shaving Cream: It's extremely important because it will help you in lubricating the skin and preventing irritation. It helps to soften the hair and prepare the skin for shaving. Make sure to choose the right cream for your type of skin.
- Hair removal cream. Another alternative is to use hair removal cream in some areas. Hair removal creams can be pretty useful in some cases but they may irritate sensitive skin.
- Scissors: They can be useful for trimming hair in hard-to-reach areas or for fine-tuning a trim.
- Mirrors: A mirror is important for seeing the areas you are manscaping, especially if you're trying to reach hard-to-see spots on your own.
- Aftershave/Moisturizer: Aftershave or moisturizer is important for soothing the skin after shaving or trimming, and it helps to minimize post shave irritation and dryness.
- Exfoliating gloves: these gloves help to exfoliate dead skin cells and are very useful in preparing the skin before manscaping.
Tips for Selecting The Right Manscaping Products
Here are some tips and considerations to take into account when buying products to manscape.
Know your skin type. This is important to avoid irritation and razor bumps. If your skin is sensitive, you'd want to pick a razor with multiple blades, which will give you a close yet gentle shaving experience. Your skin type also determines what type of shaving cream you are going to need.
Determine what areas of your body you are going to shave. Different areas have different types of hair and skin. For example, chest hair is thicker and coarser than facial hair, so it would make sense to use a trimmer with multiple blades or an electric body groomer.
Consider your budget. The price of manscaping tools can vary widely, from cheap disposable razors to expensive cordless trimmers. Decide on a budget and stick to it, but don't compromise on quality for price.
Battery life/ Corded or Cordless. Consider whether you want a tool that requires an external power source or one that runs on batteries. Corded tools tend to be more powerful and reliable, while cordless tools offer more flexibility, some models can even be used in the shower.
Brand reputation. When in doubt, it is better to opt for brands known for their quality. Do some research on different brands to find the best tools that are well-reviewed by other men.
How to Prepare Your Skin Before Manscaping
Preparing your skin is an important step in the process of trimming and shaving your body hair, as it can help you prevent irritation and achieve a better-looking result.
Follow these steps to get your skin ready.
- Take a hot shower: Taking a warm shower before manscaping can help to open up your pores and soften the hair, making it easier to trim or shave.
- Exfoliate: Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells and can help to prevent ingrown hair. You can use an exfoliating glove or a scrub specifically formulated for men.
- Trim long hair: If you have longer hair, it's best to trim it down before shaving. A trimming scissors or clipper works fine for all the hair. This way you'll get a cleaner cut and prevent the risk of clogging on the razor blade. Use a small scissor or specialized body trimmers if you need to trim your sensitive parts.
- Moisturize: Applying a moisturizer or oil can help to lubricate the skin and prevent irritation.
- Avoid alcohol-based products: Alcohol-based hair removal products can dry out the skin and cause irritation, so it's best to avoid them before manscaping.
Manscaping the Areas of Your Body
Chest and Abs
To shave or trim chest hair and abdominal hair, it's important to use a sharp razor and a good shaving cream.
It's recommended to use slow and steady strokes, keeping the skin taut and using a shaving cream or gel to lubricate the skin.
You also need to pay attention to the direction the hair grows and to angle the razor at a 45-degree angle to avoid nicks and cuts.
This area can be tricky and time-consuming, so it's important to have patience and take your time.
Shoulders and back hair
For shoulders and back hair, it can be challenging to reach all areas and it's easier to use trimmers with attachments or consider asking a friend or professional help.
Always make sure to use the trimmer with a guard or adjust the length of the cut to the desired length and be mindful of the direction of hair growth to avoid irritation.
Arms and leg hair
Shaving or trimming all the hair on arms and legs can be done with a electric razor or trimmer. It's important to use a sharp blade and to stretch the skin taut to achieve a closer shave. Armpit hair can also be tricky because the skin over there is extremely sensitive.
It's also recommended to use a shaving cream or gel for lubrication, and to shave in the direction the hair grows to avoid irritation.
Pubic hair
Shaving or trimming pubic hair requires extra care and attention. It's important to use a sharp razor or trimmer and a good shaving cream or gel to lubricate the skin.
It's recommended to use slow and steady strokes when dealing with pubic hair, and to pull the skin taut to avoid nicks and cuts. It's also important to maintain proper hygiene in this area, by washing before and after shaving and avoiding tight clothing.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Taking care of your skin after manscaping is just as important as preparing it beforehand. Here are a few tips to help you take care of your skin after shaving your body hair:
- Moisturize: Moisturizing your skin after manscaping can help to prevent irritation and dryness. Look for moisturizers specifically formulated for men, or ones that contain aloe vera or vitamin E which can help soothe and heal the skin.
- Use lotions or oils: Lotions or oils can help to keep the skin hydrated, and can also help to prevent itching. You can use products like coconut oil, tea tree oil, or aftershave balm.
- Avoid sun exposure: Sun exposure can dry out your skin and cause irritation, so it's best to avoid it after manscaping. If you do need to be in the sun, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin.
- Avoid alcohol-based products: Alcohol-based products can dry out the skin and cause irritation, so it's best to avoid them after manscaping.
- Take a cold shower: Taking a cold shower can help to close your pores, reduce inflammation, and soothe the skin.
- Keep the area clean and dry: avoid tight clothing and sweating excessively in the area you manscaped, maintain proper hygiene and keep the area dry.
Common Manscaping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Manscaping can be a tricky task and mistakes can happen, here are some common mistakes to avoid and troubleshoot:
- Not preparing the skin: not exfoliating, moisturizing, or trimming long hair before manscaping can lead to irritation, ingrown hairs, or uneven results.
- Using dull blades: using dull blades can lead to irritation, razor burn, and an uneven shave. Make sure to always use sharp blades and replace them when necessary.
- Shaving against the grain: shaving against the grain can cause irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Always shave with the grain of your hair growth.
- Not using enough lubrication: not using enough shaving gel or cream can lead to irritation and redness on the hair follicles.
- Not maintaining proper hygiene: not maintaining proper hygiene before and after manscaping, especially in sensitive areas, can lead to fungal or bacterial infection.
- Over-shaving: over-shaving can lead to irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs, so it's important to avoid over-shaving and give your skin time to heal.
To troubleshoot these mistakes, you can try the following:
- After shaving or trimming, rinse the area with cold water and use a moisturizer to soothe the skin.
- Apply a warm compress to the area to help reduce any inflammation or irritation.
- Avoid tight clothing, sweating excessively or touching the area during the first few hours after manscaping.
- If you experience significant discomfort or see signs of infection, seek medical help.
Remember that the most important thing is to be patient, take your time, and pay attention to the needs of your skin.
With practice and patience, you'll be able to achieve the results you want and avoid these common mistakes.
Final Words
In summary, manscaping is the practice of grooming and trimming body hair for personal grooming and hygiene, as well as for the benefits that come with a well-groomed appearance.
It's important to have the right tools and equipment for body grooming, such as trimmers, razors, shaving cream, and a mirror.
Keep in mind that when manscaping different body parts like chest and abs, shoulders and back, arms and legs or pubic area, it's important to understand the type of hair and the best methods to trim or shave them.
Proper care after manscaping, such as moisturizing, using lotions or oils and avoiding sun exposure, helps to prevent irritation and dryness.
Are you ready to give manscaping a try? Or do you prefer laser hair removal?