Get it off your chest

Should men shave their chest hair? I did a quick straw poll and acquaintances are divided about the issue: in a sample of 20 people (ten of each gender), it comes in as exactly 50/50.

Image by amacedo via Flickr

The proponents of shaven masculine chests, both men and women, cite aesthetics, muscle definition, hygiene and comfort as the main reasons. Those in favour of chest hair point to it as a symbol of masculinity and being ‘natural’.

Certainly, the arrival of the ‘metrosexual’ meme in the early part of this decade means that men can be less self-conscious about personal grooming and, if armpits and pubic hair are groomed, why not other areas? Some people believe that cosmetic firms have hyped the metrosexual concept to create a vibrant market for men.

Here are a couple of opposing views from online forums:

“OK men, listen up. I am not old nor old-fashioned. I am a young (24), attractive woman with a message for all you men: stop following the media hype. Most women want ‘real’ men and real men have chest hair (and arm/leg hair and pubic hair and tummy hair…and, hell, even a little bit of lower back hair is OK). I am so sick of so-called tough guys with no body hair. Men need hair — so stop manscaping, now. If women want to sleep with someone with soft silky skin, we will do it with each other, got it?”

“I think a hairy chest is old-fashioned.The modern women likes a shaved chest and the non-modern women likes a hairy chest. Most women find a shaved chest hygienic and that is a fact. All masculine models have a shaved body because it is hygienic and modern and it is what the modern woman prefers. They find a man with a hairy chest looks like a monkey and they also hide their feelings.”

Certain athletes — swimmers, cyclists and triathletes — claim that body shaving boosts training and performance. Swimmers shave to make themselves more streamlined and increase their feel of the water. Cyclists shave legs so that the inevitable scrapes and cuts from falls (‘road rash’) are more easily treated.

According to Bryan Roberts, an instructor at the Sports Technology Institute in Loughborough University, about two-thirds of the aerodynamic drag caused by cyclists comes from their bodies — and it can easily be reduced by “wearing a smooth suit or by shaving the skin.”

“Fellow bikers don’t take you as seriously if you don’t shave your legs,” says Ironman triathlete Ned Tobey. “For whatever reason, it’s a credibility thing.” Another reason for athletes to shave, especially if you’re subjecting their bodies to the wear-and-tear of triathlon training is to assist massage: treatments for tendonitis or sore muscles work better with no body hair.

I run and cycle and, although I am not overly hirsute, I do find that chest hair is irritating on a long run or ride. It rubs against my clothes, even the slinky Lycra stuff, and inhibits cooling through sweating. So I have started shaving my chest. As well as my normal grooming, of course! On holiday this year, I found that a smooth chest, as well a smoothly-shaven face, is more sensual and sensitive to the feel of the wind and sun. So, I’m a convert.

I expect it’s an issue that will always divide people but let’s remember that women put a huge effort into exfoliating and grooming. Perhaps blokes should make a similar effort?

Jeremy