The fact that you are searching “should men shave their chest” online proves that there is a debate about this. Let us be the first to tell you that there are valid arguments for and against shaving your chest.
The wise decision would be to not look for a one-dimensional Yes or No answer. You should first know all the pros and cons, and then you can decide what is best for you.
There have been waves in the past where the more hair you had on your chest, the manlier you were. Around the 2010s, the scenario completely switched and manscaping became all the rage.
What is the situation now? What is currently more attractive to women? Are there health benefits of shaving your chest? Are there any side effects?
Stick with this article and we will answer all your questions and provide you with all the information you’d need.
Contents
Is Chest Hair Attractive to Women?
Having or not having chest hair has an aesthetic value. It is completely understandable to wonder what is currently more appealing to women. So, what does chest hair say about a man?
You might be surprised to learn that multiple surveys have been conducted by GQ, Esquire, Philips, and other famous magazines and companies. They went around and asked women if they found chest hair attractive or not.
What is less surprising is that the answers were not linear or straightforward. Everyone has their own subjective opinion and we can assure you that there’s no objective answer.
Some women find a clean shaved chest to be attractive, some women don’t mind some hair, and some actually demand it.
So, if you have a wife or a partner, and you’re thinking about shaving your chest for them, then it would be smart to just ask them first. Do not assume and actually learn what they find appealing.
You might not be in a relationship, and you just want a general idea, then we have two suggestions for you. We have gone through their answers and we found two common threads.
If you have really long chest hair, then keep it tidy and groomed. Most women want you to put in some effort. Nobody is dying for a full “carpet”.
Secondly, almost all the women have agreed that having or not having chest hair depends on your physique and personality. So, go with the natural flow and find out what works best for you.
Why Should Men Shave Their Chest?
Apart from being an aesthetic choice, there are some great benefits of shaving your chest hair. Let’s go through them one by one.
The first reason we’ve already discussed. A clean shaved chest is attractive for a lot of women. It can increase your appeal and make you sexier.
If you pay proper attention to your body, and you have a fit physique, then you’d want to shave your chest. How else will you put your pecs on display? Make all those hours in the gym worthwhile.
By shaving your chest hair, you can accentuate your muscles and your fit shape. Also, definitely shave if you have tattoos on your chest. What’s the point in keeping them hidden?
There are also health benefits. Shaving your chest is hygienic. There will be no dirt or gunk stuck in your chest hair. You will also keep the ticks away.
Shaving your chest will ensure that you have less sweating and less body odor. So, you will have a more confident appearance.
You should especially consider shaving your chest if you are a swimmer or an athlete. It is a proven fact that you can swim faster if your body is clean shaved. A shaved chest will also give you an advantage in boxing, cycling, gymnastics, and other sports.
Why Should You Avoid Shaving Your Chest?
After persuading you to shave your chest hair, let’s look at shaving chest hair’s side effects. An intelligent man always looks at both sides of the coin.
There are a few risk factors in shaving your chest. There’s the obvious one, which is you might cut yourself. But, that can be easily avoided by being careful and learning the proper method.
However, maintaining a clean shaved chest is riskier. That means you have to regularly shave your chest. Not all skins are the same, and some are pretty sensitive.
Regular shaving can cause skin irritation, rashes, itchiness, redness, etc. to sensitive skin. You will need a lot of time and products to protect your skin. So, if you have sensitive skin, and you don’t want to put in the effort, then you should avoid maintaining a clean shaved chest.
You can also face issues when your hair starts growing back. You might have scruffy stubbles and feel scratchy. It doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing either. It will be hard to impress someone at this regrowing stage.
If you are at a point in your life where you’re not confident with your physique, not shaving might be a safer choice. There’s no judgment from us and not everyone needs or wants a six-pack. In that case, chest hair can provide you with a more appealing appearance.
Finally, we would like to remind you that your partner might actually like you better with chest hair. So, know their stance before you decide to shave.
What are the Alternatives?
To shave or not to shave? Well, these two are not your only choices. There are plenty of alternatives. One of them might just be perfect for you.
Trimming your chest hair can be the best of both worlds. You will have short and tidy chest hair, without worrying about rashes and skin irritation. This is perfect for the ones with sensitive skin.
It is also the safest option when ladies are concerned. Not all women want a completely shaved chest, and they also don’t want chest hair poking through your shirt. By trimming, you can ensure having just the right amount of hair.
We do have a suggestion for you if you choose to trim. Make sure your hair is dry. Do not trim in the shower because it is very difficult to trim wet chest hair.
You can also go for the traditional option, which is waxing. If you are worried about the in-between stage where your hair is growing back, this is the option for you. There will be no scratchy stubbles, and you will have soft and smooth hair when it regrows.
Waxing will also save you time. Your chest will be smooth for a few good days before you have to start worrying about shaving again.
Although you already know it, we should probably warn you again that waxing can be extremely painful. So, make sure you know what you are getting into.
If you’re looking for a painless method, then you can go for depilatory creams as well. The chemicals in this cream will smoothly remove your chest hair.
However, depilatory creams don’t affect all skins in the same way. You must be extra careful, and first, apply it in a small area to see if there are any side effects.
Finally, you can go for laser treatment to remove your chest hair. But, do remember that it would be a permanent commitment. So, think long and hard before you choose this option.
Verdict
So, should men shave their chest? Well, it turns out that it depends on the man. There is no right or wrong answer.
After reading this article, you now know everything you need to know. You know the risks and rewards of shaving your chest, you know what women think, and you know the alternatives.
You can now make a smart decision and choose what works for you. Our one final suggestion to you would be to not put too much pressure on yourself.
Having or not having chest hair doesn’t make you more or less of a man. As we’ve seen throughout the article, it’s just a matter of preference.
Nothing compels you to choose one or the other. Just be yourself and do whatever is the best fit for your persona.
Whether your chest is as smooth as a baby’s bottom, or you’re keeping it au naturel, your appeal will depend on how you carry it.