Hair Removal for Men: Every Method Explained

Métodos de depilación para hombres — cuidado personal FETĒN

Welcome to our masterclass in men's hair removal! Below you'll find the most popular hair removal methods for men and the different techniques available – plus a few surprises. For example, do you know why men remove their body hair?

Men's hair removal

Hair removal for men is becoming more and more common. Some men do it all year round, out of habit, for sport or for work. Others only start thinking about getting rid of body hair when the first rays of summer appear, to get a better tan or simply to show off a little.

Which areas is another matter – that's entirely up to you: underarms, arms, chest, legs, buttocks, back… But more and more men are going for full-body hair removal.

As you know, men's skin and body hair are different from women's – generally thicker – so they need the right treatment to get good results. If you're going to remove your body hair, choose a technique or product designed for men.

The benefits of hair removal for men

“88% of men admit to having removed their body hair at least once in their lives.”

That's no coincidence. Some men still swear by the Spanish saying "the hairier the man – or the bear – the handsomer", but the truth is that removing body hair has a few advantages worth knowing about:

  • Comfort: being hair-free, especially on your legs, gives you a sense of freedom you can easily get hooked on – even your clothes look better.
  • Hygiene: body hair traps dirt and makes a cosy home for bacteria. Removing it means you can keep cleaner and helps avoid infections.
  • Sport: hair can get in the way when you're training, and losing it can make you feel faster and more streamlined.
  • Better results from your skincare: hair-free skin absorbs whatever you put on it more easily, whether that's your everyday skincare or sun cream.

If any (or all) of these benefits have won you over, read on to discover the different hair removal methods for men out there.

One thing before you choose: removing hair irritates the skin, whether you use a razor, cream or wax. What helps most is moisturising the area straight afterwards. For your face and neck, our Men's Face Moisturiser, Matte Finish contains aloe vera, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, sinks in straight away and leaves no shine.

Hair removal methods for men

There are several ways for men to remove body hair. Here are the main features of each, so you can make an informed choice and show off great skin.

1. Razor or body shaver for men

Just as you do with your beard, you can use a razor or shaver on the rest of your body. Some are designed for all-over use and some aren't, so before you get started, check that yours is suitable for your body.

Shaving body hair with a razor

If you use a razor, wet the area first and apply shaving gel to protect your skin. It's a quick way to remove hair, even very short hair. The downside is that you'll need to do it more often, as the hair grows back sooner.

Take extra care with a razor so you don't nick yourself: skin is delicate and blades are very sharp… so go carefully.

2. Hair removal cream for men

A similar but less fiddly alternative is hair removal cream for men. It's convenient, painless and there's no risk of nicks from a blade. As it doesn't remove the hair from the root, it has the same drawback as shaving: the hair grows back sooner.

If you go for this option, choose a product made for men. Don't use a women's hair removal cream – and ideally not a unisex one either – as it won't work as well. Remember, men's skin isn't the same as women's, so products designed for men are your best bet.

Any method that cuts or pulls out the hair can lead to the same problem: as the hair grows back, it gets trapped under the skin and an itchy bump appears. That's an ingrown hair. To prevent it, exfoliate the area two or three times a week, ideally a couple of days before you remove hair. On your beard and neck, FETĒN's Face Scrub for Men clears away dead skin with mineral salts and sugars, so the hair can grow out freely. And if you've already got one, here's how to deal with ingrown hairs.

Hair removal cream for men

Then there's waxing, proof that you sometimes have to suffer to look good. Waxing for men can be fairly painful (especially the first time), because men have more hair and it's thicker. But because it pulls the hair out at the follicle, it takes longer to grow back and comes back finer and softer.

And as a bonus, it removes dead skin cells as it goes, helping your skin renew itself. You can choose between hot wax and cold wax strips for men.

3. Laser hair removal for men

These days, almost every aesthetics clinic offers laser hair removal for men, and it's one of their most popular treatments. It's probably the most expensive and slowest method, but it's the one that gives you long-lasting hair reduction.

Laser hair removal for men

The best-known types of laser are:

  • Diode laser
  • Alexandrite laser
  • IPL
  • Soprano laser

The best way to decide is to visit a specialist clinic and ask which is right for your hair and skin type. Many clinics offer a free trial session with no obligation, so don't be shy – give it a go!

4. At-home IPL for men

The latest trend is at-home laser-style hair removal using an IPL (intense pulsed light) device. It's a portable, easy-to-use gadget that helps reduce body hair over the long term. It's the most convenient way to get laser-style treatment, although results usually take a little longer than in a clinic: without a professional on hand, the device works at a slightly lower power to avoid damaging your skin. There are now IPL devices designed specifically for men.

Hair removal tips for men

Now you know all about hair removal methods for men, take note of these tips to become a true expert and keep your skin happy:

  • Don't remove hair just before sunbathing: your skin needs a little time to recover, whether or not it looks red or irritated. And don't do it straight after sunbathing either – you might not notice, but sun exposure makes skin more sensitive. In both cases, wait at least 24 hours.
  • Focus on hydration: moisturise the area in the days beforehand to strengthen your skin's protective barrier, so it suffers less and you avoid irritation, rashes and nicks. Moisturise afterwards too, to help your skin recover. Find out more about why hydration matters for men's skin.
  • Test before you take the plunge: before trying any hair removal method, do a small patch test to see how your skin reacts. And if you have sensitive skin, see a dermatologist, who can assess it and recommend the best technique for you.

We hope this article helps you choose the right hair removal method and that our tips come in handy.

Men's Face Moisturiser, Matte Finish

Men's Face Moisturiser, Matte Finish

To soothe your skin after hair removal.

Take a look →

At FETĒN, we're determined to break down the taboos around men's grooming. Go on – look good, feel good and own it.

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