Body grooming can make or break a beach-ready look

Body grooming can make or break a beach-ready look

Swimsuit season is officially upon us and we Floridians are flocking to the beaches and dipping in the pools. While swimsuit style is important to many, it’s important not to forget the necessary grooming rituals that can make or break a beach-ready look.

Along with being in shape, men should also be aware of the visual impact of body hair.

Depending on the cut of a pair of trunks, unkempt pubic hair can show at the top, sides and bottom of your swimsuit. Women have been aware of and mastered the art of maintaining unwanted body hair.

Yes, this is all aesthetics and depends on your personal preference. But consider waxing, shaving or just trimming. Not only is it more comfortable and cooler during the warmer months, but there is a very sensual feeling about being smooth and maintained down there. Your partner will appreciate it as well.

Because this a very sensitive zone, male grooming requires more patience and care. It’s a bit different than your morning facial shave. Below are some tried and true methods to get a close, safe shave while avoiding common problems like nicks and ingrown hairs.

trimming: This is probably the easiest and clear-cut (if you will) way to tame that hairy beast. Use a body trimmer with attachments that protect you from the blade. Don’t use a beard or hair trimmer. They are not made to access the sensitive skin below the belt and the blades can nip the skin. Trust me. Been there. Done that. Ouch!

Many companies now offer tools for this specific purpose. I like the Philips Norelco BG2020 or 2030 Professional Body Grooming System which can be used in or out of the shower. It comes with an attachment for chest/back hair and a foil covered blade for the groin and underarm areas.

Trim the hair down as short as you prefer. If you’re going for a clean shave, use the shortest guard. Tip: The more clipped, the less razor use.

shaving: It’s best to do this in or after your shower. The warm water will soften the skin and relax the hair follicle. Exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells and provide a closer shave. To help prevent razor burn or irritation, dab a pre-shave oil to the genital area. I’ve found that tea tree oil, KY or petroleum jelly work best as a barrier on your skin so the razor will glide easier.

Before shaving, make sure you apply a good quality shaving product like Gillette Fusion Hydragel. When it comes to the kind of razor, don’t use those disposable ones. Go for the 3- or 4-blade type with moisturizing strips and cushions. I recommend the Gillette Fusion or even the Venus Glide.

When shaving, pull the skin straight and taut with one hand and shave with the other. You’ll want to shave against the hair growth. Don’t go over an area repeatedly as this can cause irritation. In between strokes, be sure to rinse the blade.

Most importantly, use a fresh blade, go slowly and use very light strokes. Don’t use pressure.

When shaving the pubic area, pull your penis down and out of the way to protect you and make the area easier to shave. Make sure you move your “mister” to either side so you don’t miss any of the corner areas. Using the same methods, you can stretch your penis to get any stray hairs along the shaft or use tweezers.

Now, shaving the underside of your balls, perineum (aka taint) and butt crack is a bit tricky. There are a few maneuvers I’ve learned in order to properly access these areas.

The first is to put a floor length mirror on the floor and squat down over it so you can see your balls, your taint, the inside of your ass cheeks and more importantly, what you’re doing.

The second option is to lift a leg and support it on a ledge while in the tub or shower, allowing you to reach underneath.

The third option is to bend over, reach through your legs from behind your back. You will be pulling the razor towards the wall in back of you. At this point, you should be able to knock out the taint with little effort. Picture your ass crack as a “V” where your sphincter is at the point. You will shave the sides, not the point. Do not attempt to shave the hole itself.

In all of these scenarios, pull and hold your package securely, against the lower belly. This makes shaving under your balls much easier. Once you’re done, feel the skin. If it isn’t smooth and fuzz-free, just lightly shave any areas you might have missed.

Rinse off the area with a mild body wash to remove any stray hair. Pat the area dry with a clean, soft towel. To lower the chances of chafing, irritation or itching in the newly shaved area, apply baby power or anti-itch cream like Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream. Usually, shaving this area once or twice a week is all that is needed to keep it smooth as a baby’s butt.

For some, the very thought of putting a blade anywhere near the scrotum may send shivers. There are other hair removal alternatives.

waxing: More and more estheticians are offering services designed just for men. DepiWax in Orlando , for example and Tampa Bay Laser Hair Removal offer an array of waxing services for men including the male Brazilian (aka Manzilian), which is basically the equivalent of the female Brazilian wax. 

I will not lie. Waxing can be painful. However, it leaves the area extremely smooth and lasts one to six weeks.

lasers: If you prefer a more permanent effect, laser treatment is the way to go. It’s extremely fast and usually less pain. The effects are long lasting and in most cases, permanent after several sessions. Breeze Laser Center in Orlando and Tampa Bay Laser Hair Removal offer fast and lasting results.

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