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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

“Manscaping”? (Male hair removal from pubic area)

87 replies

Inamuddle36 · 22/09/2023 15:15

Hi — I am old and possibly out of touch so I need some perspective. I don’t want to give all the details but need to know whether there is now a trend for men to remove hair from their pubic area or whether the desire to do so is indicative of body discomfort/dysphoria. I have known many men over the years and never knew one who wished to remove pubic hair. Is it even safe to use hair removal cream from such sensitive cream? Is this a new fad or have I just missed it before?

OP posts:
Original poster
Inamuddle36 · 22/09/2023 15:17

(Should have specified — I am interested to know if this is a teenage trend — hence positing here)

OP posts:
LadyDanburysHat · 22/09/2023 15:19

All men that I have known under 35 yeas old ,as a minimum, trim or shave pubic hair.

theduchessofspork · 22/09/2023 15:21

It’s definitely a thing

ElFupacabra · 22/09/2023 15:22

Shaven men are vomit inducing for me. Or laughter inducing. Either way, not having the desired effect.

Precipice · 22/09/2023 15:34

whether there is now a trend for men to remove hair from their pubic area or whether the desire to do so is indicative of body discomfort/dysphoria Both can be true. If you're comfortable with your body, you're less likely to be swept along with trends like this. The same goes for women and girls.

BigFatLiar · 22/09/2023 15:39

I think that, strange to say, young men (
and boys) can experience similar social pressure to look good as young women, including body hair removal. It's been a thing in some sports for along time but seems to be more normal.

StoatofDisarray · 22/09/2023 15:49

ElFupacabra · 22/09/2023 15:22

Shaven men are vomit inducing for me. Or laughter inducing. Either way, not having the desired effect.

Agreed. I like bush on men and women.

BusyBees1234 · 22/09/2023 15:57

It's a porn thing

Fully shaven makes a cock look bigger

Thisistyresome · 22/09/2023 16:21

You always had some sports people who shaved.

There were men who trimmed, back in the day. But total removal is new and mainly due to porn.

Helenahandkart · 22/09/2023 16:32

I think it is a thing now.
Personally I find it repellant. My DH does it sometimes and it feels prickly and gross. I wish everyone (male and female) would just leave it the hell alone.

Original poster
Inamuddle36 · 22/09/2023 16:34

Thanks for your replies. So… sounds like I should be a bit concerned.

OP posts:
Iwasafool · 22/09/2023 16:34

ElFupacabra · 22/09/2023 15:22

Shaven men are vomit inducing for me. Or laughter inducing. Either way, not having the desired effect.

Agree with the laughter inducing. Plucked chicken?

CatusFlatus · 22/09/2023 16:41

I wouldn't say it's concerning on it's own.
I have one teenage son who definitely did / does do some manscaping. He's much more into fashion, sport and 'looking good' than his slightly older brother who wouldn't be bothered with the faff!

Knitgoodwoman · 22/09/2023 16:42

DH keeps his very trim, sometimes gets rid of it all, but he’s very fair so it doesn’t look funny!

Helenahandkart · 22/09/2023 16:47

I don’t know that you need to be concerned. Would you be concerned if your daughter wanted to remove her pubic hair? I think it is just an expectation now, in the same way that it has been for girls for a long time.
I don’t think it’s good, but I wouldn’t say that it’s indicative of anything more than wanting to fit in with your peers/ feel attractive to the opposite sex.
I guess the level of concern depends on how old he is. Under 10 and I might be asking questions, though I remember using my dad’s razor to remove hair when I first got some in primary school.

Hillrunning · 22/09/2023 16:52

The men I know well enough to ask this of, all trim neatly. All early to mid 30s. This was also normal of most of the men I knew in my 20s so 10-15 years ago. Their body to do what they want with.

DuckGooseOwl · 22/09/2023 16:57

Personally it’s neither a good or bad thing if he is shaven/trimming, that’s his choice and a private matter for him, even if you’re an open family in regards to nudity. DS is only 13 and doesn’t have body hair yet although whenever he does it’ll be up to him and if he brings it ip with me I’ll be the appropriate shaver. I myself just stay completely natural as that’s how I am.

Melroses · 22/09/2023 16:57

Chest back and crack waxing was popularised years ago by a famous footballer.

But seems all over hair removal has been a thing for a while too.

DuckGooseOwl · 22/09/2023 17:00

DuckGooseOwl · 22/09/2023 16:57

Personally it’s neither a good or bad thing if he is shaven/trimming, that’s his choice and a private matter for him, even if you’re an open family in regards to nudity. DS is only 13 and doesn’t have body hair yet although whenever he does it’ll be up to him and if he brings it ip with me I’ll be the appropriate shaver. I myself just stay completely natural as that’s how I am.

Meant to say buy the appropriate shaver 🤦‍♀️

JustFrustrated · 22/09/2023 17:10

All the men I know who i know about, aged 24-40 trim close or shave it all.

All are very comfortable and happy within themselves and their bodies. Some straight and some gay.

Why would the hair removal cream not be okay for them? It's fine for women, and if anyone is more likely to have more delicate skin, it's us.

JustFrustrated · 22/09/2023 17:11

DuckGooseOwl · 22/09/2023 17:00

Meant to say buy the appropriate shaver 🤦‍♀️

Show quote history

Hahahaha so good you clarified 😂😂

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 22/09/2023 17:14

Wow. I'd heard of this but only reading random "personal grooming" type articles and i thought it was mainly gay men.

I'm 40s and absolutely wasn't a thing with men I knew when younger (I wouldn't know what male friends now do 😮)

Gosh I am so surprised its become so normalised.

And to answer a pp yes of course I'd be worried if a teen girl wanted to remove all her public hair 😔.

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 22/09/2023 17:15

Duck Goose Owl - This has made me giggle -

littleripper · 22/09/2023 17:15

The Dolphin is a thing too! No hair below the eyebrows 😂

DuckGooseOwl · 22/09/2023 17:23

OneMoreStepAlongTheRoadIGo · 22/09/2023 17:14

Wow. I'd heard of this but only reading random "personal grooming" type articles and i thought it was mainly gay men.

I'm 40s and absolutely wasn't a thing with men I knew when younger (I wouldn't know what male friends now do 😮)

Gosh I am so surprised its become so normalised.

And to answer a pp yes of course I'd be worried if a teen girl wanted to remove all her public hair 😔.

It came as a surprise to me until a few years ago when I was chatting with friends. I personally don’t see why people should get rid of their natural body hair too, but I’m sure others would think I was being dramatic. Each to their own. I’m sure some people would find my body hair to be off-putting! But I just see it as natural and womanly and I’m single anyway lol