A Guide to Waxing For Men

(Image courtesy of Esquire Magazine)

Let’s face it, getting your back waxed, chest waxed or any other part of your body slathered in hot wax that is then unceremoniously ripped off is no guys’ idea of a great Saturday afternoon. So why would any guy in his right mind even consider it? Because times have changed and even though “that guy” called the Metrosexual is long gone, cleaning up your act and paying attention to male grooming has become part of building the professional man’s personal brand. It’s called manscaping.

So here is a guide to the wonderful world of waxing for men.

1. What is waxing?

Waxing is a hair removal service for men that involves applying hot wax to the area where hair is to be removed, pressing down with a cloth or a muslin strip over the area and then quickly ripping away the strip. Along with the strip comes the wax, the hair, the root, the whole shebang. Some salons for men use a similar method called sugaring that dates back as far as the ancient Egyptians.

2. Why should I get waxed?

As men age, hair starts to grow in other places, in and on your ears, in your nose, on your back and chest. Hair in other places can become a bit unruly. It’s really hard to pay attention to someone when they’ve got hairy vines growing out of their nose and their ears sport a nice orange halo in the sunset. Many professional men routinely get their brows waxed as part of a their normal grooming regime.

Smooth skin just feels better and it cuts down on body odor. Plus, women prefer clean, smooth skin that smells good. So wouldn’t you rather have a woman’s arms wrapped around your back than a forest of smelly hair that you can’t even reach to wash.

For a little fun, spend a minute and check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpEsNrYEssw

3. What parts do men have waxed?

Most guys tame and shape their eyebrows first. It’s really about taming the unibrow. Two eyebrows are better than one and nobody wants massive tree branches hanging above their eyes. Next up are the ears and nose. It’s relatively painless, quick and just something that every guy who wants to be taken seriously needs to do.

The next areas are back and chest. Some hair is fine, even manly. But if you look like a gorilla front or back, you may want to consider waxing.

Some men are opting to go all out and wax their manatomy. There is no truth to the rumor that trimming the shrub makes the tree look taller. It’s simply a matter of personal preference for you and your partner. Most guys can improve their manatomy grooming by using a personal body groomer. We recommend the Phillips Bodygroomer if only because we love their videos. Here’s another one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsbXwzqlqsU

4. Is it painful?

This won't hurt a bit

Well…..yeah.  But it’s really not too bad. Facial waxing including brows, nose and ears goes pretty quickly and only smarts for a second or so. Depending on your sensitivity, getting your back and chest waxed can be a little more painful because these areas are larger and in the beginning the hairs are usually thicker. Some guys take an aspirin or other pain reliever 30 minutes before a waxing service. With repeated waxing over time, the hair grows weaker and thinner and the whole ordeal becomes no big deal.

5. Will the hair grow back?

Yes, it will grow back. However, waxing weakens the root and it will grow in finer over time.

6. Can’t I do this with a home kit?

Well yes, but do you want to? It’s hard enough to wash your own back, let alone wax it. Then there’s the mess and clean-up. And if your waxing your manatomy, it’s really not the way the to spend a Saturday night.

7. Are there other methods of hair removal?

Why yes, sports fans, there are. You can try electrolysis or laser hair removal. These methods take more time and are considerably more expensive.  The upside is that both of these methods are permanent. But be careful. You may decide that you want that hair back to keep you warm in the winter. Or the hot young chick you got waxed for in the first place is gone along with your hair, your money and your Ferrari.

On a serious note, permanent hair removal options do make sense for athletes, body builders and models. And for those that want a tattoo, laser hair removal is also a good alternative.

8. How long does my skin stay red?

Immediately after waxing, your skin is irritated. The redness usually goes away in a couple of hours. If not, call your doctor.

9. What should I do before a waxing treatment?

Exfoliate the skin. Make sure that your skin is clean and free of oils, lotions and moisturizers. For back and chest waxing you should have at least a quarter inch of hair so that the wax can adhere.

10. What should I do after a waxing service?

It’s more about what you should not do:

• Don’t suntan or stay out in the sun for prolonged periods for at least 12 hours, 24 is better.
• Don’t go swimming or hang out in a hot tub for at least 12 hours.
• Don’t take a steam or dry sauna immediately after. Wait until the next day.
• Don’t apply cologne or strongly scented creams right away.
• Do apply a vitamin E cream or aloe/chamomile gel or cream to soothe the skin.