Thought it would be interesting to hear a variety of ideas, tools and techniques with respect to taking care of body hair.

The Beginning of Manscaping
I started manscaping back in 2010, interestingly enough, because of a Russell Peters joke. Shaved the genital area down to the perineum (area just behind the balls and before the anus) with a previously discarded razor cartridge plugged back onto the shaving stick and shaving cream, and it worked just fine from a shaving perspective, giving a close and smooth shave down there. Felt weird initially but quickly got used to it - mostly.

The girlfriend back in the day also appreciated the effort because she didn't have to endure a complimentary flossing during BJs.

What I didn't like what the aftermath from Days 3 through 5 - stubble-rash - that arose from getting such a close shave. This kept me from manscaping my crotch on a weekly basis. I'd do it fortnightly at best and monthly at worst (still worked to keep complimentary flossings at bay.) Stubble-rash also meant sex was an irritatingly painful affair for both of us, and hence we avoided doing the naaaaughteeee on those days.

Adding to the Repertoire
Then in 2011 I acquired a beard trimmer, and used that to trim upper torso hairs. Still used a razor to shave down there and still was unhappy with stubble-rash.

One fine day, a brainwave.

Took the "grille" off the beard trimmer and gave myself a "0" trim at the crotch. That worked... somewhat. Now, stubble-rash was a thing of the past, but there was still sufficient stubble to be felt at "0" trim, and trimming the hairs on the danglies was challenging as hell. Still, kept at it, better than being bushy.

The Best Solution So Far
In 2013, I was surfing Amazon when I came across a manscaping product - Philips Norelco BG2040 BodyGroom Pro. This was touted as the best thing since sliced bread where manscaping was concerned; one only had to look at the numerous glowing reviews. The idea from those reviews was to manage one's expectation since this would not offer as close a shave as a razor, but close enough that skin felt smooth. Works for me; I bought one.

I also bought a Philips Norelco NT9130 D-Finer Precision Trimmer to take care of nostril hairs, since, up until that day, I'd been using tweezers to yank nose hairs out at the root.

It's been just over a year of using both products. Getting the nostril hairs out of the way first, I like not having to yank my nose hairs out anymore. Sure, I can still feel stubble in my nostrils after trimming, but hey, not having to yell, tear and sniffle in pain is worth the remnant stubble.

Now to the BodyGroom Pro. The reviewers are correct. Close enough for skin to feel smooth but not razor-close. This means..... stubble-rash is finally a thing of the past and weekly manscaping is possible!

Personally, dry-"shaving" works best on the genital area. I find I can complete this thoroughly in a good 10 mins flat.

I would use the beard trimmer on the other end of the BodyGroom Pro to keep torso hair in check, but as of late, having gotten back on the exercise bandwagon, I find "shaving" it all off much more hygienic since I perspire like a damn waterfall. Legs also.

The way I do this is to wet-"shave" and use soap as lubricant-cum-shaving-cream. If your body hairs are longer than 2", consider a "0" trim first with the beard trimmer to prevent the "shaving"-head from gunking up too quickly.

1. Wet one leg below the knee
2. Soap up until well-lathered
3. "Shave" using the head of the BodyGroom Pro in an up-down motion until bottom half of leg completely shaven
4. Wash down soap, inspect and re-do missed spots
5. Wet and soap-down thigh; repeat above process
   

This kills two birds with one stone - bathing and "shaving" at the same time.

Including genital dry-"shaving", repeating the process for the other leg, armpits and torso, along with shampooing and face-washing took about 45 mins to complete.

The only thing I have to do after getting out of the shower was to apply aftershave to my armpits. Otherwise, spraying cologne is going to be a burningly painful affair.



Let's hear your manscaping adventures.

I came here to mention the BodyGroom Pro haha we're on the same wavelength! I use it, used it two days ago in fact actually, I LOVE it. Have gone through two of them so far, great product and I'd recommend it to any guy.

Awww c'mon fellas, CatMan and I can't possibly be the ONLY guys here who shave their own balls.

Would also be good for the ladies to chime in and offer your thoughts about your guys being manscaped. Tell us fellas more about where and how you prefer your guys to "trim the grass" "or "yank the weed" as it were.

I like my hair. I'm an ape with huge balls and women love it!

Nuff said

FD

I like(d) my hair too. So I grew the head hair longer to compensate for the current dearth of body hair.

See? Balance....

Dude, if you have hair on your chest, why would you shave it? Women love that. They want you to bend them over your car.

Ball hair, well another story. But all my gf's are clean shaven. Would be nice to have some woman's perspective on this topic.

Nevertheless I choose to remain a hairy bastard.

I started shaving my chest and leg hair about 2 months ago only because of hygiene reasons. I sweat like a damn waterfall at the slightest of provocation, and that meant an increase of BO after weights training sessions (i.e. for the rest of the day, despite thorough showers.) Since shaving it all off, that problem is no longer. Prior to that, I'd trim my chest hair at #1 on the beard trimmer. Armpits have been clean shaven since '98.

Hyperhidrosis in an always-hot-and-humid climate is a REAL biatch.

Agreed, the women I've been with LOVE chest hair, and arm hair, and would gently play with it after a passionate lovemaking session. Oh well, c'est la vie... compromises have to be struck.

Women! Please chime in!

Buddy,

Well we are different . I don't shave my armpits. I do Trim my hair. Have all my head hair but my body is a hair farm..

But if you want to trim hair to be more attractive yo females, perhaps but you are peeing up wind.

However kimosabi , like this thread and great ideas

FD

Like I said, I do it for hygiene reasons, NOT to be more attractive to women. Excessive sweat and body hair do not play well together, especially in tropical climates.

1. Bodygroom Pro somehow or another seems to hammer my armpits into a pulp; it isn't gentle at all. I've gone back to the old razor and shaving cream method, much better! YMMV.

2. Wet-"shaving" the groin area with soap is much faster than dry. Whether it is more effective, i.e. stubble-rash or lack thereof, remains to be seen. Time will tell. Again, YMMV.

3. Laziness adds to the time and discomfort during "shaving" due to longer hairs which may possibly require a "0" trim first. Keeping a religious weekly schedule is where it's at for me.