Male hair removal consists of the deliberate removal of body hair in men through various cosmetic methods. Although for centuries it was a minority practice among European men, its popularity has grown significantly in recent decades. Today, it is estimated that in Spain approximately 66% of men have tried shaving or removing body hair at some point.
As noted in this 2013 article, male hair removal “is no longer a taboo” in Spain: men today have greater freedom to make decisions about their body hair.
Evolution of male hair removal
Aesthetic concern about body hair is ancient. Since Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, hair removal was practiced for hygiene and beauty. Both sexes sought smooth skin as a symbol of cleanliness.
Over the centuries, social norms changed. For example, in medieval and early modern Europe, men tended to wear beards and body hair as a sign of masculinity, while hair removal became associated with femininity.
In the 20th century, however, the popularization of athletics and media began to blur these stereotypes. From the 2000s onwards, the “metrosexual” phenomenon encouraged more men to take care of their body image. A report by the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME) indicates that between 2000 and 2010, the demand for male hair removal increased by more than 40%. By the 2010s, male hair removal was no longer seen as exclusively feminine: in 2013, 88% of young men (20-35 years old) surveyed reported having shaved or removed body hair at some point.
At the same time, ideals of masculinity have evolved: according to a 2022 study by Men’s Health Spain, 65% of the men surveyed prefer to maintain a natural appearance without completely removing all body hair. This reflects a recent shift towards a less stereotypical image, in which body hair is accepted as something normal. Still, hair removal continues to spread: aesthetic centers report that between 15% and 30% of their clients are men, a proportion that is growing as traditional prejudices fade.
Types of male hair removal
There are currently multiple hair removal techniques, either temporary or semi-permanent. Below are the main methods and their characteristics:
- Shaving (razor or electric shaver). It is the fastest and most convenient method. A razor or manual/electronic shaver is used to trim the hair to the level of the skin. It is painless, but the hair grows back in a few days, so it needs to be repeated frequently. In general, specialized brands recommend using body devices designed for men, which adjust the power and head shape to male skin.
- Waxing (cold or hot). It involves applying wax to the skin and removing it with strips or by peeling it off cold/hot, pulling the hair out from the root. It is a painful but long-lasting method: hot wax can keep the skin smooth for 3 to 6 weeks. Over time, the hair may grow back weaker and sparser. It requires hair of a certain thickness to adhere to the wax. It is suitable for both large areas (legs, back) and small areas (armpits, intimate area).
- Depilatory creams. These are chemical products applied to the area that dissolve the hair at the skin’s surface. They are painless and easy to use at home, but may irritate sensitive skin. The results last only a few days, similar to shaving, as they do not remove the hair from the root. It is useful for those who want to avoid cuts or pain.
- Electric epilators (rotating tweezers). These are manual devices that pull the hair from the root using a set of tiny rotating tweezers. They are portable, can be used at home, and provide results for several weeks. However, they tend to be painful (more so than waxing), and hair can become ingrown. They are mainly used for legs or armpits in women; among men, their use is less frequent, as male hair tends to be thicker and more sensitive.
- Laser. These are long-term permanent hair removal technologies. All emit light that destroys the hair follicle. Lasers (diode, alexandrite, soprano, etc.) target the hair’s melanin with concentrated intensity. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is similar but uses broad-spectrum light. Both methods require multiple sessions and progressively weaken the hair until it is nearly eliminated.
- Electrolysis. An old method that applies electric current to the follicle, permanently destroying it one by one. It is effective on all hair and skin types, but it is very slow (treating one follicle at a time) and can leave marks. Today, it has largely been replaced by laser and is only used in specific cases (e.g., very fine facial hair).
- Other specific methods. This includes threading (mainly for eyebrows or fine facial hair) and natural/traditional techniques (tweezers, pumice stone, etc.). These are more isolated cases or complementary methods for facial hair or eyebrow care.
Most common techniques used in Spain
Among Spanish men, shaving with a razor or electric shaver is by far the most common method, as it is quick and accessible. According to a study on male hair removal habits, 8 out of 10 men have resorted to removing body hair at some point, and 67% say they use an electric shaver to trim or remove hair.
In fact, the body shaver is often chosen for its convenience. Many men prefer a quick at-home solution and want to avoid the pain of waxing. In second place are methods such as wax strips or hot wax in beauty salons (mainly for the torso and back), and increasingly, laser hair removal. Aesthetic centers observe that today, men are requesting permanent hair reduction treatments more frequently: data from SEME (2023) indicates that 30% of men seeking hair removal aim to reduce hair density, not remove it entirely.
In contrast, other methods such as depilatory creams or electric epilators with tweezers are used by a minority. Intimate hair removal (pubic hair) has gained popularity in recent years, although many perform it with a razor or trimmer at home. In summary, available figures show that male hair removal in Spain is primarily done with body shavers and razors, complemented by waxing and increasingly by laser/IPL.
Most common areas for hair removal
Men remove hair from different parts of the body depending on personal preferences, sports, or trends. In general, the most common areas are the chest and upper back. Recent studies indicate that the pubic area is the most commonly removed (33.6% of men do so), followed by the chest (28.8%) and armpits (27.1%). Experts agree that areas such as the neck, abdomen, shoulders, and beard (or its contour) are also highly requested. For example, Dr. Rosa Ricca states that “the most demanded areas by men are the chest, neck, abdomen, back, and beard.”
In addition to these main areas, more and more men are paying attention to other details: legs or arms for sports (swimming, cycling), the facial hair line (beard outlining), and even small areas such as ears, nose, and eyebrows. A specialized article lists that men most frequently remove hair from the armpits, chest, back, legs, arms, intimate area, and eyebrows. In short, the most common image is that of a man with a smooth chest and back, trimmed intimate hair, clean armpits, and a defined beard, leaving hair only on the legs or other areas according to personal preference.
Differences with female hair removal
There are clear differences between the hair removal habits of men and women. In general, women shave more frequently and in more areas: legs, armpits, bikini line, face. Due to deeply rooted social norms, many women remove hair almost routinely (weekly or biweekly) in several areas, while men usually do so occasionally or based on specific needs (for sports or personal preference). In fact, only 21% of men remove hair weekly, 32% do so monthly, and 35% do it occasionally. This contrasts with women who may shave areas like legs and armpits several times a month.
In addition, due to social pressure, female hair removal is almost mandatory (according to an article in ABC, it is a “precept impossible to overlook” due to social expectations). In contrast, for men, it is a more voluntary option, which explains why traditionally many men (34.1% in the cited study) have never removed hair.
Regarding tools and techniques, both use similar methods (razors, wax, laser, creams), but they differ in their emphasis. Women typically use razors designed for large surface areas (legs) or electric epilators (tweezers) for extensive areas, as well as visit aesthetic centers for waxing and IPL/laser treatments in the bikini area. On the other hand, men prefer body razors designed for men. In summary, while female hair removal focuses on visible and large areas with very gentle products (e.g., razors with lubricating gel, oval-shaped heads), men tend to use products optimized for thick hair (resistant body razors, powerful laser treatments) and focus on muscular areas.
Lastly, in terms of frequency, it is noticeable that women, due to their beauty routines, generally remove hair more often (several times a month) and in more areas of the body, while many men opt for occasional hair removal. However, this gap is closing as male aesthetic awareness increases: for example, more men are inquiring about permanent hair removal (laser) at clinics, and they themselves value feeling more confident or attractive when they remove hair.
