Men shaving legs?

Hair Removal Methods Shaving/Trimming
#161

Barrester, would waxing have a similar result to using an epilator? If so, what I have found is new hair grows almost immediately after removal of all visible hairs, as there are always hairs in different growth stages, so within a few days there is visible hair again. Not the ones that were removed, but ones that were below the surface at the time. It seems like you’d have to wax every few days to avoid this, which defeats the entire purpose.

In my experience epilating, the underarm hair is not bad to remove. Chest hair is way, way , way worse, in fact, simply too painful. Perhaps waxing in one big rip is more tolerable, I don’t know. Same with abs hair, just too painful. Pits are not big deal. I agree pit hair is better removed by the root, as you don’t see the dark colour under the skin, it looks cleaner. THis happens with women, too, and if they have dark hair it is not very attractive.

Its interesting that some wives do not like their men smooth, at least until they get used to it. Mine hated it when I shaved my legs, though she liked the pits smooth (go figure). She never really got used to it, either, but now we are divorced (not due to this). Other women who see me love my legs, however.

#162

Hi HardinSteele

Shaving your legs is only a perception. A lot of men don’t have any strong leg hair and so don’t feel at all embarressed about smooth legs. These guys simply look the way they look and nobody gives them a second glance.

Like I have said before most people in public assume I have very light hair on my legs, because of my blonde complexion and no one comments on my smooth legs. Sometimes very rarely someone will pick up that I shave, but nobody has made any rude comments about the subject.

All the women that I interact with have agreed that I look much neater and cleaner than letting the long dark hairs grow out.

Regards
Stuart

#163

Veinlover: I never used an epilator,so I can’t compare it to waxing.

#164

I’ve been shaving my legs and my entire body for the past three years. The reason is because I do lots of hiking and running on trails. In fact, all of my running is on trails. Three years ago I was having lots of problems with ticks, so I decided to shave and I haven’t had a tick since. Also, I noticed that I no longer have any type of skin rashes or irritations. So I think shaving can have a positive benefit with respect to your person hygiene, especially if you are active and sweat a lot.

#165

Hi

You are very right in what you say regarding ticks and other insects. When I do mountain and trail cycling I have the same issues. Tick bite fever is also a real danger. These crawl into hair and are often very small and easily overlooked. With smooth legs you can immediatly see if an insect has bitten you or a tick has attached itself. From this I agree that shaving is very usefull for outdoor sports.

Regards
Stuart

#166

My family has reacted well to me shaving my legs. When my wife came home just after I shaved them for the first time, this is how the conversation went.
She said “Did you shave your legs”?
I said “Yes I did”, and began to explain why.
She stopped me saying “I know why you did it and I have no problem at all with it”.
Then she said “Promise me one thing though”.
I said “OK”.
She said “Promise not to where any of my pumps”.
I said “OK”.

#167

That’s a very cool reaction. What was you stated reason going to be, and did she guess correctly your reason?

V>

#168

I just joined this forum in my quest for information and understanding regarding male leg shaving.

My background is thus. I am a long time lover of shaved legs but currently somewhat hairy until the cooler weather hits. I feel and have the same problems that many of the members here do. I want desperately to have and keep the smooth legged look but because of problems from peers and family I do not.

I have read this thread almost in it’s entirety and wanted to share a small tidbit I caught today.

While at the gym today I noticed a very fit man in his late 40’s possibly early 50’s, greying goatee and hair with shaved pits. That is something I have been doing to about 15 years now and just began noticing that it is catching on. There are some VERY “macho” men that are shaving various parts of the body and some completely. The one guy is a male model and I might add VERY muscular and fit for obvious reasons.

Anyhow, I am looking for some support as well from others especially from the ladies. Thoughts, opinions and ideas that can possibly help with understanding and getting past the fear.

Thank you for listening and/or reading.

Cheers!

Wolfie

#169

Oh … she knew the reason. I’ve been a runner for 29 years and I’ve logged over 20,000 miles. I’m not sure if it’s just me or if other men have the same issue that I did. I always seemed to be itching somewhere all the time. Sometimes my legs, sometimes my arms, my chest, etc… I had difficulty sleeping because of it. I’ve always felt that the hair was a breeding ground for bacteria, and that bacteria was causing the itching. I can’t prove it, but I’ve always believed it. As mentioned in one of my previous replies, I also was having issues with ticks because I run trails. So I shaved because of all those reasons. My wife knew exactly why I shaved and she has not had a problem with it in the past three years. In those three years I have not had a single tick, and all the itching has stopped. So I shave my entire body every day. My oldest and youngest daughters asked if I shave, but my son and middle daughter haven’t said a word. Also, none of my running, hiking, or biking buddies (male & female) have said a thing. I think they just instinctively know why I do it.

#170

Hi Wolfie

The main support can only come from you. It is true that smooth legs are catching on. It is very normal where I stay and nobody remarks when a guy shaves his legs. A lot of women appreciate this as well and have said so to me. I only wish I had started shaving sooner for all the benefits I have mentioned before. The first time was at age 19 and I felt very self concsious wearing shorts in public. Looking back no one even looked twice. I suppose it may have looked natural for a blonde kid of that age not to have hairy legs, but in reality the discomfort was all in my mind.

Your friends and family will accept your look as natural mostly without any comment and no disrespect. It’s your choice and very soon your look becomes the way everyone around you expects you to look. I would never dream of going back to having hairy legs and I must say I am proud of my smooth shaved legs.

Regards
Stuart

#171

Hi Hikerman:

I agree with your wife about the pumps. You should really get your own. (Just kidding).

Actually I am a transsexual, so I do wear pumps occasionally if the occasion and outfit warrant it.

I can relate to being self conscious as I was when I first shaved my legs before my transition. I think that a lot of guys shave their legs for a variety of reasons, perhaps just for esthetics or comfort. It does not mean anything as far as their masculinity whatsoever. Some of us have to be individuals rather than sheep. If you like it and your wife does not mind then that is all that matters. We can’t live our lives for others or we have no life at all. Believe me I know about living for myself now, and not worrying what others erroneously think. If they don’t like it they should get a life!

Alicia

#172

Hi Stuart,

Thank you for your reply and support. I will try address points in your reply to further my explanation of myself and my problems. =)

The main support can only come from you.

Yes you are 100% correct and that is the hardest part for me because I am nervous of what others think about me. Truly absurd I know but very hard to get past. I have JUST recently, today talked with my co-workers, 16 years younger then me, about shaving. Surprisingly they still tease each other but one of them has started trimming his leg hair. He did so after giving me a little jab about trimming my arm hair. They know in the past I have shaved and finally I think they are coming around a little. It is people like them that make me most nervous.

Your friends and family will accept your look as natural mostly without any comment and no disrespect.

I addressed part of this above but will continue a bit more. I have discuss this previously with my mother and had her full support. Just recently she reversed that telling me she thought it was a little strange for a man to shave his legs. Again her opinion is held in the highest regard with me. CO-workers are another issue as well. I do not want to have problems at work in dealing with co-workers and their attitudes. I understand it is about choice and that it is my life and I need to live it. I am a very open minded person in regards to others style and attitudes as long as they do not negatively effect me. I feel others should have the same attitude but realize most do not.

I have talked with my wife in the past and she is always telling me she does not care either way but likes me as is. I cannot get a good read on it but I can say I do not think it has been a problem in the past and hope it will not in the future.

My plan is thus. I have always been trimming my legs and arms and continue to do so, so that people get used to it gradually so when there is very little or nothing there they will not notice as much or care. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I am sorry to be so long winded but I wanted to thank you first and secondly try and explain my inner demon that is giving me fits.

In closing any advice or support from others for me or other members is greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, forgot to mention I an in NW Ohio where another member had problems that a theme park. I know the pain he went through.

Thank you again.

Cheers!

Wolfie

#173

Hi Wolfie

It looks like you are doing well in addressing the issues that bother you. I also trimmed my legs / arms for many years with the same reasoning. I can say that this was very time consuming compared to shaving. Maybe you can sort out the issue of your co-workers by bouncing the ball into their court, tell them you are going to shave and ask them if they have got the guts to try it also - then just do it and carry on. I think after a short time nobody will comment as it will become your natural look.

I understand your respect for your mothers opinion. My father also thought it a bit strange when I first shaved regularly for cycling, but later (2 weeks actually) he said it looked good. Coming from someone that went through the second world war, that is a very liberal and openminded assessment.

Our friend at the theme park got caught offsides by a few comments judging by what he said. That may happen, but you can always have a ready laugh or a small comment back - you must work this out to suit your nature. I also still have some small spells of doubt in company about smooth legs but I know that I am happier than before and these soon pass.

Good luck.

Regards
Stuart

#174

Hi Stuart,

First let me again thank you for your support and encouragement, it truly means a lot in the battle with the inner demon.

I like what you said about challenging them, with the co-workers that I have that might just actually work. I know I will still get a hard time from them but what the hell. Just this evening I noticed a guy at the gym, 2 for that fact, that looks like they shave. It is a little unusual and disconcerting to ask them if they do. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You are truly an enlightened person Staurt, I like what you said about working it out to suit my nature. That is precisely what I have been trying to do but have been unable to accomplish.

I hope that some day I can just be myself and say damn the world it’s my life and I am not hurting anyone. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you again for you support and help clearing the demons, I have a lot to think about and some time to get the job done, so to speak, and with your’s and others help it should be a lot easier. Hell I already have a Braun Epilator.

In closing let me just add, I love this message board and all the messages of conflict and resolution. They really hit the nail on the head for a lot of people seeking support.

Cheers!

Wolfie

P.S. Keep in touch! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#175

Hi Wolfie:

I think it takes time to build up courage to not care what others think.

All that matters is that you like to be clean shaven and it is none of their business. You have your reasons for doing it, and it does not mean that you are effeminate or less of a man either. Actually it takes a lot more courage to do it, so in a way you are more of a man if that is the measure of one.

Don’t care what they think. Lots of athletes shave. It is personal preference.

Courage comes in small steps.

Alicia

#176

Hi Alicia,

Your 100% correct in the things you said. I have been working up the courage to shave and not worry about others opinions.

I keep telling myself those very words you wrote. It is none of their business and I have my reasons. Why the hell should I explain myself to them for something I choose to do that does not effect them? I still am a man, at least the last time I used the restroom I was. Further more I would like to see them get the courage necessary to shave and drop the macho ego attitude. After 13 years of marriage I think my wife and my family members know the man that I am. I tend to be a little odd at times but fun loving as well.

Thank you for your words of encouragement and wisdom. It does help every day and every day I get more and more confident who I am. I am merely a man, a man of my own being not following the social norms, breaking free and being a free spirit.

Thank you again Alicia. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cheers!

Wolfie

#177

Hi Wolfie:

I think it takes courage to be an individual,and that is not something exclusive to men, but also for women.

Sometimes we like to imagine what others might think in a worst case scenario. If we do that our mind can play nasty tricks on us and make us afraid to do what we want to do with our lives.

The fact is most people wouldn’t care if a man shaved is legs or not, and wouldn’t even notice.
If anyone really did, and cared to say something I would just consider the source. If you wanted to reply, then simply say you like it that way.

I had to develope my courage to be an individual, since at one time I was so very afraid to be myself. But once you develope that no one can take it away from you. It is done in baby steps, and doing things even though you are afraid they won’t be accepted. Being an individual makes you feel liberated, and unshackled.

Alicia

#178

Alicia,

WOW! What can I say. You and Stuart have given me a lot to think about. My mind set is changing and my attitude is as well but like you said it takes time and small steps.

I have been there with the comments and looks. I am very observant of other people and their reactions and I believe that is one of my biggest downfalls.

I agree with you about being an individual. It is very hard for me to do that because of my military background but it is do-able.

I want nothing more then to live my life how I want. I think that at 37 I have pretty much earned that right and I am not harming a soul by doing so.

Anyhow, I have a lot to think about and the urge it escalating every day. Sometime soon I will no longer be able to contain it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That will mean getting out the Braun Epilator again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you Alicia I really appreciate yours and the other support. It does truly help getting over the inherent fear.

Cheers!

Wolfie

#179

Hi Wolfie

I am chasing 36 now and I agree with your statement that we have earned the right to look the way we want to. I have shaved my legs for nearly 4 years now almost every day, and it’s just like shaving my face - normal routine. You only have so many years left in life so go ahead and do what makes you happy. I must say that many men look at my smooth legs with more than a little envy - a lot of guys want to shave but can’t take the step for various reasons. Non of them are really valid in the greater context.

You also mentioned your military background. I can relate to that even though I was not formally in the army. I worked as a fireman and a paramedic when I was younger and I can relate to the macho image of those years. Despite all of that I still wish I had shaved sooner. Smooth shaved legs really suit my look and the excessive hairs if I do not, look bad in the overall context.

I work with lots of engineers and often go north into remote African places. Nobody has anything bad to say about shaved legs there. You need to see if you have insect bites quickly and hair is a problem in that respect. There are many practical reasons to shave and nothing to be ashamed about. You are a free man and entitled to look the way you wish. Any other man must either match you as I mentioned before, or hold his silence on the subject. Either way most guys will not even bother to comment. If they do then just laugh them off with an easy joke - life is not that serious about these things.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Stuart

#180

Stuart,

It’s nice to know that you are about the same age as I am and what it is like.

I agree with what you are saying. I am not getting any younger and there are only so many days or years to live and make the most of them. After all I am not hurting anyone, well except myself emotionally to a extent.

As far as the others go, your right I am a free man and that give me the right to make my own decisions and be who I want to be and look how I want to look. Why should I bend and conform to their ideals of what a man is. I am always making jokes as I am usually a VERY happy person, despite being quite emotional as well. Perhaps that is exactly what I need to do is first laugh it off and secondly challenge them to do the same. I would be willing to bet big money they would be scared too.

I suppose I will send an e-mail to my mother explaining my position on the subject to her and again remind her I am 37 and quite capable of making my own decisions on how I live my life.

Thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate all you have done and hope to keep you updated and converse more. I know these writings will potentially help others who are in the same position but not quite as vocal.

Cheers!

Wolfie