Self Conscious And Unsure

I am dealing with some issues with regard to self consciousness that I could use advice on.

I’m a male in my 30’s. For years, I was self conscious about my chest hair. It’s not that I had a lot but I never felt it looked that good. After shaving for a couple of years, I tried to get it waxed a few times. My skin was way too sensitive and that didn’t work.

Then, I got a good deal on a laser package - and after about seven or eight treatments over 18 months, we had success. That gave me a smooth chest that I now feel more comfortable with.

However, the challenge I have now is what to do about the rest of my body hair. I’m not overly hairy by any stretch - but I like the comfort of being clean.

The first issue was my arms. I tried shaving my arms and I preferred the clean look. I also thought it looked more consistent to have the chest and the arms smooth - so the bare chest didn’t look so obviously shaved or waxed.

However, I’ve been told my a few people that men should have some hair on my arms. The dilemma is I prefer being smooth and have been regularly getting my arms waxed.

While getting my arms waxed, I’ve had one aesthetician recommend also removing the underarm hair as she said bushy underarms with a smooth chest and/or arms didn’t look good. Basically, I was now facing being completely bare on my upper body. I went and tried it and it’s definitely more comfortable.

The question is - have I gone too far. Being smooth and clean doesn’t bother me personally - but I get worried that may be a turn off to others.

What I’d like to hear from women is their opinion of guys who have smooth bodies. I’d like to hear from men who have done so and what the reaction (if any) they’ve had from friends, family, and significant others.

Is just doing the chest ok? Can I do other areas (legs, etc.)

This has been hard for me - and even though I’ve had my arms (and underarms) waxed several times, I still get self conscious when I go to do it.

You shouldn’t worry about what others think. Do whatever makes you happy. It is definitely completely normal for a man to have hair on all the areas you specified. Many also trim those areas to make the hair shorter instead of removing it altogether. There are many men on this forum that prefer the smooth look.

I agree that it’s normal to have hair there. The problem is, I prefer not having it there as it feels cleaner. My concern is what other people think - even though I understand you feel that I should do what makes me feel better.

I don’t know if men shaving/waxing/lasering their body hair is still that accepted. It seemed like it was moving that way - but maybe not as much so. Almost as if there is a back lash against the metrosexual.

If you’re talking about what’s generally accepted, you won’t see many magazines with men with hair on their chests. so I would say it’s definitely acceptable.

I am pretty comfortable with the chest. I think there’s quite a few men (especially in their 20’s and 30’s) who remove their chest hair. My issue was more other parts of the upper body (arms and underarms).