Male waxing

Male waxing is the practice of male pubic hair removal. Due to increased public awareness, it is thought to have become more acceptable during the 1990s, although the number of users historically and currently are unknown. Male waxing is popular in the body building and male modeling community. There are several types of wax used for hair removal.

Waxing is accomplished by spreading a wax combination thinly over the skin. A cloth or paper strip is then pressed on the top and ripped off with a quick movement against the direction of hair growth. This removes the wax along with the hair and dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth. Home waxing kits have become increasingly popular over the years.

Benefits

There are benefits to waxing compared to other forms of hair removal. Waxing is a long-lasting method. Hair in waxed areas will not grow back for three to eight weeks; when the hair does grow back, it is soft and thin. When hair is shaved or removed by depilatory cream, the hair is removed at the surface rather than the root. Within a few days, the hair can be seen at the surface. With these methods, hair tends to grow back in a rough stubble. Areas that are repeatedly waxed over long periods of time often exhibit a thinning of regrowth, and regrowth that is thinner, softer, and lighter in color. The use of a hair inhibitor will also aid the slow re-growth of hair; used over a long period of time this can be used as an almost permanent method.

Drawbacks

Waxing can be painful if the poorly trained or unprofessional therapist pulls the waxing strip upward instead of across the skin. Poor pre-treatment procedures can also increase pain. If properly performed, the pain from waxing is generally short-lived, and greatly helped by the immediate application of pressure.

Waxing does have a larger price than other methods of hair-removal. However, compared to following the manufacturer's advice for shaving or using depilatory creams, waxing is the less expensive method. Shaving or creams will only last a few days, whereas waxing treatments can be performed up to 6 weeks apart.

Retail 'do-it-yourself' kits are available, and work to an extent, although a professional therapist will perform the most complete treatment, and will offer the best advice on after-care.

For the first few post-waxing days, keeping skin cool and clean, staying away from chlorinated swimming-pools, away from the gym, follow-up with gentle exfoliation twice a week, and subsequent application of a light non-greasy moisturiser will vastly reduce the possibilities of suffering from uncomfortable in-grown hairs.

Potential dangers

Some physicians do not recommend waxing for persons suffering from diabetes or who have varicose veins or poor circulation as they are more susceptible to infection.

Patients on Retin-A, Renova, Differin or isotretinoin have been advised by doctors not to have waxing performed; these medications can weaken the skin, and lead to tearing of the skin.

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Kutty, Ahmad (13/Sep/2005) Islamic Ruling on Waxing Unwanted Hair Retrieved March 29, 2006.
• Barker, Olivia The male resistance to waxing is melting away in USA Today, August 23, 2005.

External links

• Media related to Shaved genitalia (male) at Wikimedia Commons