Let’s cut to the chase: Does shave body hair make you cooler? Not really. In fact, the last time body hair played a significant role in regulating body temperature in humans dates back to Paleolithic times (about 2.5 million years ago). At the time, the Neanderthals were at the top of the range, our stocky and muscular ancestors with body hair in abundance (think Tom Selleck layered head to toe on Burt Reynolds). But over time, as the Ice Age thawed and hunting required long-distance tracking, our ancestors with less hair — and greater lung and sweat capacity — prevailed. These days, even the hairiest of men don’t have the amount of body hair that could affect temperature regulation – a fact that comes down to hair follicle density.
A study performed on various mammals revealed that a minimum of 1,000 follicles per square centimeter are required for hair to perform any temperature-regulating function. For comparison, the average number of human hair follicles is between 124 and 200 per square centimeter. Therefore, human temperature regulation largely comes down to our largest organ: the skin.
But what about those kids we grew up with who, the day after school, had their breath taken away to stay cool all summer? Not really. A recent study which involved two groups of guys – one with shaved heads and one with hair 3 to 5 inches long – subjected to temperature experiments showed no significant difference in body temperature between the two hair lengths. The same principle can be applied to body hair, especially since it is often less dense than that on our head.
One thing shaving body hair will do is give you a look that accentuates muscle tone, defines abs, and even makes your products look bigger. Considering this, here are some tips to combat those body hairs.
Before hitting the razor
For those of us who are still considering going for the slick look, before we shave, remember that some patches of hair actually have a purpose, including:
- The hair: helps protect the scalp from UV rays.
- Armpit hair: Helps reduce friction by limiting skin-to-skin contact when walking or running. Some studies even suggest that armpit hair acts as a kind of scent diffuser for pheromones.
- Pubic hairs: Works to reduce friction during intercourse, as well as to prevent dirt, debris and microorganisms from entering delicate nether regions.
- Eyelashes: Helps keep dirt, dust and debris out of our eyes.
The best way to do it
Nowadays, there are many ways to easily get rid of unwanted hair. Here are some of the most popular:
Shaving
Advantages
- Easy and convenient to do at home.
- Relatively inexpensive, depending on type of razor and frequency of use.
The inconvenients
- Can leave skin rough and prickly, especially in the chest area.
- Can lead to ingrown hairs and irritation, especially if done in sensitive areas like buttocks and armpits.
We recommend: Gillette body razor
Depilatory cream
Advantages
- Easily removes hair without leaving harsh hairs.
- Works in a short time.
- Takes little skill and effort.
The inconvenients
- May cause painful reactions in people with sensitive skin.
- It usually stinks to heaven.
- Frequent maintenance required.
We recommend: Nair Hair Remover Men Body Cream
Waxing
Advantages
- Quick and effortless. Sit down and let the shiner do his job.
- No prickly stubble left behind.
- At least six weeks before the hair starts to grow back.
The inconvenients
- Can be quite painful.
- The treated area may remain red for some time afterwards.
- May lead to acne breakouts.
We recommend that you always consult a licensed professional for professional body waxing.
Trim
Advantages
- Easy and convenient to do anytime, anywhere.
- Doesn’t require a lot of skill.
- Reduces the likelihood of causing irritations or incarnations.
The inconvenients
- Doesn’t provide that clean, soft softness like baby skin.
- Must be maintained regularly.
