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The demand for hair removal among men has grown massively since Steve Carell had his sweater-grade chest hair waxed in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Waxing for men has hit record numbers, and the hair waxing market is expected to increase in value from $10 billion in 2023 to $18 billion in 2033, thanks in no small part to those hair-vanishing dudes.
The spiked interest in smooth backs and cracks (hey, guys get Brazilians, too) inspired licensed esthetician Jenna Materre to start “Monday MANdays,” a special promotion for men not afraid of a little hot wax.
“This helps men feel comfortable in a salon environment, offering specialized services that cater to their specific needs and comfort,” says Materre, the director of education and training at the salon WAXXPOT, which has locations throughout the U.S.
While the potential screams from getting hair ripped off your flesh may not fit your definition of “comfortable,” Materre and other experts insist the process is not that bad if men can follow a few best practices. Here we break down waxing for men and how to get waxed—correctly, safely, with hopefully as little agony as possible.
When it comes to body waxing for men, eyebrow specialist Joey Healy has found that brow, nostrils, back, and upper arms are the most popular waxing sites for men. Essentially, “the lower on the body, the less popular waxing becomes,” Healy says, adding that men may have a lower pain threshold compared to women. This could also influence their waxing habits.
Aside from the parts of the body where waxing is more or less painful, waxing experts shared some advice on how men can have the smoothest experience possible.
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First and foremost, you should always ensure that you are getting waxed by a qualified esthetician or aesthetician (basically, an esthetician with more medical training) licensed with your state’s Board of Cosmetology. Since men have coarse hair that tends to be more stubborn with wax, it’s also crucial to go to a professional with specific experience waxing men.
“I recommend calling the practice and asking if they practice on males,” says licensed aesthetician Kristin Gunn. She also suggests reading online reviews and looking for red flags like not using gloves, double-dipping wax applicators, and other issues with following hygiene protocols.
Nerves about getting waxed aside, trust your gut about cleanliness. As Healy puts it, “If you walk into a place and it doesn’t feel clean, it probably isn’t.” In which case: quietly walk away and find another place.
Even for guys with a patient significant other willing to help, experts across the board caution against using at-home waxing products. The application and strip-pulling process requires a specific technique, especially with men’s body hair. “Pulling the strip incorrectly or at the wrong angle can lead to incomplete hair removal, pain, bruising, and even skin damage,” Gunn warns. “Plus, it’s going to hurt a lot more.”
If you still insist on going the DIY route, Healy notes that products like Veet Cold Wax Strips are safer because they’re premade and do not require heat. That said, “Professional services are widely accessible and reduce the risks of burns, missed spots, and other mishaps,” he adds.
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The odds of experiencing pain, bruising, skin damage, and infection after waxing your body hair are significantly lower in a professional environment than at home. But naturally, some risks will be involved when you’re yanking hair follicles out of your body with hot wax.
Beyond the above risks, ingrown hairs can cause problems and, in some instances, even lead to infections. Proper hygiene, preparation, and aftercare are the best ways to avoid these risks.
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For some men, too much back hair can cause them to sweat more and experience body odor and acne, making a waxed back the preferable alternative. Other guys just want to look better when they take their shirts off. Whatever the motivation, men typically get their backs waxed over other areas because it’s simply harder to reach than other body parts that can be trimmed with a razor.
One problem, though: Areas like the back tend to trap sweat more, leading to a greater risk of folliculitis, an infection within the hair follicle characterized by red, itchy bumps. So extra attention and care to your freshly waxed back is key. Unfortunately, folliculitis is also common in the groin area, speaking of…
Brazilian waxing for men involves removing the hair on their genitals, pubic area, and butt crack, leaving a landing strip above the shaft if desired. Men tend to do this for aesthetic reasons, to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, or just because they like how it feels.
This region is more prone to infections like folliculitis because, like the back, men usually sweat more. Likewise, the skin below the belt is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the body—all the more reason to wear loose, breathable clothing, avoid sweating, and keep that area clean.
If you need one more line of defense against folliculitis and other irritation issues, Gunn suggests picking up a bottle of Kiehl's Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief. “It’s got aloe Vera, which is soothing, and hydroxy acids to exfoliate,” she adds. It may not be cheap, but it works wonders.
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If it matters to you, some Reddit users suspect that hair has some protective effects when it comes to flatulence volume, but that remains unproven, so best to disregard the speculation. One thing is certain: Your hair will grow back in three to six weeks.
