Should guys shave their armpits? We look at the reasons why they probably shouldn’t.
It’s your hair and you are free to do with it as you please, the saying goes, but is it really smart to shave every part of your body? Areas such as your face are always OK, but recent grooming trends seem to compel men to eradicate their entire body of hair.
Is this really all necessary? Should we be taking to the razor so readily? After all, body hair, no matter where it grows, is a very masculine trait, so why treat it like the plague?
Armpit hair, in particular, is a touchy subject. Even though many men trim them as part of their grooming regimen, there is a popular opinion that doing so is unmanly.
So, what do you think? Should guys shave their armpits? We have already discussed 5 benefits of shaving your armpits, so in this article, we will lay out 5 reasons why you probably should not shave your underarm hair.
Why Do We Still Have Pubic And Armpit Hair?
Armpit hair is a biological mystery that has perplexed the greatest minds throughout the ages, but especially in this day and age when so many men and women go to such great lengths to remove it. Does it actually serve a purpose, or is it just Mother Nature playing a twisted joke on us?
Although there’s no definitive answer, there are a number of theories that possibly explain why human beings have hairy armpits.
Some researchers have proposed that hair’s purpose is to reduce friction, with armpit hair acting as a barrier against rashes, irritations and even diseases like STD. Others postulate that it increases our chances of getting laid.
We will elaborate on a number of these theories in the following section, where we lay out the benefits of not shaving your armpit hair.
5 Reasons Why Guys Shouldn’t Shave Their Armpits
Having armpit hair can make you more sexually appealing to women.
Should guys shave their armpits? If you’re considering shaving your underarms just because everyone else is doing it, or if you’re someone who just wants to understand why humans still have underarm hair, here are five reasons why you shouldn’t shave your armpit hair.
1. Shaved Armpits Are Uncomfortable
Shaving, like any activity that requires sharp objects, is a risky business no matter how you look at it. Although it’s by no means lethal or even dangerous, you must attend to it with skill and care.
For starters, unlike your face or most other parts of your body, the surface of your underarms is uneven. Its nooks and crannies make it difficult to maneuver a razor or trimmer, increasing the likelihood of cutting yourself.
Your armpit skin is also extremely sensitive, and this makes it more susceptible to nicks and cuts, depigmentation, and irritations like rashes and razor burn. These damages may take longer to heal because of the skin’s lack of durability.
Finally, shaving may cause ingrown hair and razor bumps. Not only are these conditions unsightly, but they may also become itchy and uncomfortable, especially in a moist, bacteria-which area like your armpits.
Should guys shave their armpits? If you don’t want to deal with the troubles and discomfort that often comes with grooming sensitive skin, then it’s probably best to refrain from shaving.
2. You’ll Release More Pheromones
Scientists theorize that hair exists for the purpose of getting soaked in and helping transmit potent pheromones, an eclectic cocktail of compounds that create a subtle scent that’s believed to attract potential mates.
This secretion is initially odorless but quickly turns into a musky smell after it mingles with the various bacteria and microbes that proliferate in the dark, moist, and warm environment of your armpits. Potential mates subconsciously whiff up the scent and use it as an indicator of your masculinity, overall health, and ability to spire, nourish, and protect a healthy child.
The association between pheromones and mate attraction in humans isn’t as clear-cut as in reptiles, insects, and other mammals like dogs, but research suggests the connection still exists.
Should guys shave their armpits? If you want to attract a mate, then not shaving your armpit hair may improve your chances. The hairs trap and transmit your manly scent, making it easier to signal to a mate that you have what it takes to rock her / his world and provide her with healthy, strong kids.
3. Shaving Your Armpits Can Cause Infections
Shaving any part of the body, but especially sensitive areas like the armpits, can cause folliculitis, a common skin disorder in which the follicles become infected and inflamed.
Folliculitis is usually the result of a bacterial infection, though fungal infections, viruses, and physical trauma to the follicle can play a role. It often looks like a rash, a patch of small red bumps, or yellow- or white-tipped pimples in the early stages, but can transform into crusty sores over time.
Mild cases usually clear up in several days, but the occurrence of scarring and permanent hair loss in severe cases are not unheard of.
Not only is folliculitis unpleasant to look at, but it can also lead to itchiness and soreness, something no one wants to feel in their armpits.
Should guys shave their armpits? If you’re someone who is at a high risk of developing folliculitis or any other uncomfortable skin condition, you probably shouldn’t shave those underarm hairs.
4. Shaving Your Armpits Does NOT Reduce Sweat
Many people shave their armpits because of the commonly-held belief that shaving reduces armpit sweat. The thing is, it doesn’t!
Shaving your armpits does not reduce sweat, and that’s because the glands that produce sweat reside under the skin, and have nothing to do with your armpit hair.
In other words, shaving won’t stop your sweat glands from producing the same amount of sweat. However, it may reduce body odor and visibility of sweat by preventing hair from getting in the way of your deodorant and antiperspirant.
Should guys shave their armpits? If you’re considering it because you think it will reduce how much you sweat, then don’t bother. You would be foolish to shave for that reason.
5. Not Everyone Finds Shaved Armpits Attractive
Manscaping is more popular than ever, with most men choosing to shave parts of their body for various reasons. However, while studies show that some women prefer men who manscape, there are many others who like their men to have more hair than they do.
In fact, you would be surprised at how many women don’t find clean shaven armpits on a man attractive.
But don’t confuse shaving your armpit hair with trimming them. As with head hair and beards, it’s completely okay and actually encouraged to trim your armpit hair!
It’s one thing to have a hairy body, but it’s another thing to look like a Caveman.
Should guys shave their armpits? Unless your armpit hair is sticking out under your arm like ragweed, in which case you should give it a trim, shaving it’s probably not something most people will notice. Moreover, many women find shaved armpits on men to be weird and unattractive
5 Reasons Why Men Should Shave Their Armpit
Although there are major benefits of not shaving your benefits, there are also some good reasons why you should shave.
Check out the 5 Reasons Why Men Should Shave Their Armpits for a detailed discussion of these reasons. Otherwise, here is a rundown of the main points:
1. Shave armpits to reduce sweat stains: Although shaving your armpits doesn’t reduce how much you sweat, having no hair to act as a buffer allows your skin to better absorb antiperspirants, which can reduce the appearance of sweat.
2. Shave armpits to reduce odor: Hair is very porous, meaning it traps moisture and absorbs odors very easily, more so in a warm and dark area like your armpits. Shaving your armpit hair can help reduce body odor, in part by increasing the effectiveness of deodorants.
3. Shave armpits to improve your athleticism: If you’re an athlete, shaving your armpits may give you a performance advantage. For instance, a shaved body has been shown to give swimmers increased stroke length and “shave” 5.7 seconds off a marathon runner’s time.
4. Shave to feel more comfortable: Having armpit hair can feel uncomfortable. It can become itchy and easily tangled, pulled, and snagged if the hairs are long. Most people don’t like the feeling of soggy hair on their skin.
5. Shave armpits to look more attractive: There are those who think shaved armpits are weird and unmanly, but that’s just them. Forget about what anyone thinks or says! Shave your armpits if it makes you feel good about yourself.
Should guys shave their armpits? Probably Not
Considering putting the trimmer down. There are benefits to not shaving your armpit hair.
The decision to shave one’s hair greatly varies from body part to body part and person-to-person. Although there are many benefits to shaving your armpits, there are also some compelling reasons why you shouldn’t.
As we’ve discussed, shaving your armpits can be a hassle, and many people find the end result to be uncomfortable.
Also, shaving your armpits, might undermine your body’s ability to trap and transmit pheromones that could potentially make you more sexually appealing to both women and men.
Finally, you may think shaving your armpits reduces sweat, but it actually doesn’t. And not everyone finds shaved armpits attractive.
Should guys shave their armpits? There’s no right or wrong answer, seeing as it depends on your priorities. Whatever your reasons are for shaving or not shaving your underarms, know that you made the right choice.
Are you a man who doesn’t shave his armpits? If so, why? Share your motivations in the comments below, and make sure to check out Too Manly Grooming for more articles like this one.
