Shaving before swimming

[Frazzled2207]

Really have not had an exciting time during the pandemic but am going swimming later this week with the smalls for the first time in I can’t remember so careful to shave all appropriate bits as I always used to.

But it made me think- as I find it a sensitive area and quite difficult due to having an awkwardly located cyst - is it ever ok to go swimming and not shave underarms/legs/tops of legs? I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed what other people do which I suppose is a good thing and suggests we can all just do what we like. But until now I guess I thought it was some kind of unwritten rule. Is it?

I shave under arms as a normal routine as I don’t like the look and texture of the hair. That’s my personal choice. I don’t like underarm hair on men either.
If I was going swimming I would also shave around the bikini area. I don’t think other people would notice or care about hairy arm pits but yeah I think they would notice hair escaping costumes in the bikini area especially if it was a lot.
I would also say that most swimmers, male and female shave arm pits and bikini area.

I usually shave my armpits legs if I remember.

I wear a costume with longer shorts attached so other bits aren't as important

I swim with hairy legs, pits and top
legs. If I was lounging around a spa or beach I'd probably shave but I don't bother for my daily swim session. I don't know if anyone notices but I don't really care.

I would also say that most swimmers, male and female shave arm pits and bikini area

Blimey, where are you that most men shave their pits and bikini line? I don't see this.
(Do men even have a bikini line?!)

Oh no, now I have a mental image in my head of a man in Speedos with hairy legs but a shaved bit at the top 🤦‍♀️ Thank you so very much @Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat and @BettyUnderswoob! 😂

I’ve known an increasing number of men in recent years shave their pits. Maybe it helps with deodorant coverage? Some of them really need that!

@supadupapupascupa

I shave my underarms, might do lower legs. But I always tuck the pubes in.

Tuck the pubes in, you have really made me laugh 😂🙏 thank you

@BettyUnderswoob

I would also say that most swimmers, male and female shave arm pits and bikini area

Blimey, where are you that most men shave their pits and bikini line? I don't see this.
(Do men even have a bikini line?!)

I have been involved in competitive swimming for 15 years. No one has hair on show, not even men

I have been involved in competitive swimming for 15 years. No one has hair on show, not even men

I'm a member of a masters swimming club and compete. Plenty of very hairy men. I don't look closely enough at the women to judge how often they shave but I don't bother shaving especially for swim training

I've never shaven my legs above the knee, who has time for that?

I shave the hair under my arms every few days as I agree with the previous poster and think it's gross and have done from the day the very first hair appeared there.

@ScottishNewbie

Meh. It's just hair. I think we are doing ourselves and other women a disservice by being so obsessed about it.

This

@Veronika13

Those who have husbands then *@Sunbird24* 🤷‍♀️ I find hairy armpits similar to not brushing the teeth. I have the above views, you probably don't - I'm sure we're both happy and content and that's all that matters 😃

So not messing with natural body hair is the same as not cleaning teeth? Stop it, you’re being ridiculous now

I agree. Not removing underarm hair is just a matter of hygienic practice and common sense. Not removing is like not ever cutting your fingernails or toenails.

@Viviennemary

I agree. Not removing underarm hair is just a matter of hygienic practice and common sense. Not removing is like not ever cutting your fingernails or toenails.

Don't be fucking ridiculous 🤣

What? No it isn’t! Never cutting your fingernails/toenails has practical implications, like not being able to wear closed-toe shoes, or making it harder to do normal things like typing, or picking up small items. Having underarm hair doesn’t make life any more difficult otherwise everyone would do it, all over the world. It’s a cultural expectation, not common sense.

@Viviennemary

I agree. Not removing underarm hair is just a matter of hygienic practice and common sense. Not removing is like not ever cutting your fingernails or toenails.

Bollocks

Lol go and tell that to men

@Viviennemary

I agree. Not removing underarm hair is just a matter of hygienic practice and common sense. Not removing is like not ever cutting your fingernails or toenails.

You think the same for men as well I presume?

@Viviennemary

I agree. Not removing underarm hair is just a matter of hygienic practice and common sense. Not removing is like not ever cutting your fingernails or toenails.

My head and hair get very sweaty when I Exercise, should I shave my head then?

Most people don't notice; most of the ones who notice don't care; the ones who do care don't count.

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.

Puberty is not acceptable

I have been involved in competitive swimming for 15 years. No one has hair on show, not even men

Yes, those serious, competitive swimmers are a pretty hairless bunch, but that's to make them more streamlined, surely? It's not about aesthetics or body hair acceptability or trends.

This thread was about normal everyday folk popping to their local LC, though. Most men there will not have waxed their bikini lines (the thought!) nor shaved their armpits. And some of the women won't have, either.

And those comparing having natural body hair to being dirty, unhygienic and on a par with not brushing teeth... that's, frankly, stupid.