Should you shave your armpits?

Author: Mrs. Elizabeth Hettinger  |  Last update: Friday, August 22, 2025

Hygiene. Men who engage in sports or physical activities may find that shaved armpits allow for better sweat evaporation, reducing the chances of body odour. Additionally, keeping the underarm area clean and free from excess hair can prevent the buildup of bacteria and minimise the risk of skin issues.

Is it better to shave or not shave your armpits?

You don't have to shave your armpits. But you do need to keep them relatively bacteria free. Armpits are warm, usually dark and most importantly, moist. It's possible that ``excess'' body hair there will trap sweat/moisture and therefore become a lovely breeding ground for bacteria.

Should I shave my armpits if I'm a guy?

Absolutely! Shaving underarms is a personal choice and there's no rule dictating who should or shouldn't do it. Many guys choose to shave their underarms for various reasons, including aesthetics, hygiene, or simply personal preference. Shaving un...

Is it healthier to have armpit hair or not?

Body hair in places like armpits is actually pretty healthy, it creates a barrier between bacteria and skin and wicks away moisture and such which one would think actually decreases sweat and odor.

Will shaving my armpits reduce smell?

Yes, removing armpit hair, whether through shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal, can potentially reduce body odor. Armpit hair can trap and hold onto sweat, creating an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to the development of body odor.

Shaving Armpit Hair | Manscaping Tips with Gillette STYLER

What happens if you never shave your armpits?

Reducing Friction: Not shaving reduces skin-on-skin contact friction, which means when you do activities that involve arm movement, like running or walking, your skin is much less likely to get irritated by the friction. This might lead to fewer skin issues like rashes and ingrown hairs.

Does not shaving down there make you smell?

Does shaving pubic hair reduce odor? Grow it long or cut it off — it's completely your choice whether to shave your pubic hair — but shaving isn't proven to reduce vulval smells. “Removing pubic hair can increase the risk of sweating, which can lead to odor from the sweat glands,” explains Dr. White.

Is it more hygienic to shave your pubic hair?

If you sense a little body odor, it's because your pubic hair is doing its job of trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria. To care for your pubic area, all you need to do is regularly rinse with water. Long story short, there is nothing dirty or unclean about pubic hair. There is no medical reason to remove it.

Does deodorant work better with shaved armpits?

Whether it's trimming underarm hair or shaving your underarms, shorter hair means deodorant can reach your skin more effectively. Ultimately, the best way to remove underarm hair is whatever works best for you – but keeping it a little shorter is a good first step.

Should you shave your butt hair?

In Conclusion. Shaving your butt hair is a personal preference if you feel like you're growing just a little bit too much down where the sun doesn't shine. While you should never feel like you need to shave your butt hair completely, there's a correct way to do it to minimize safety risks.

What percent of guys shave their armpits?

According to a recent Men's Health study of the 4,044 men surveyed, 68 percent said they trim their armpit hair; 52 percent said they do it for aesthetics, and another 16 percent said they do it for athletic reasons.

Do most girls shave their arms?

We asked the ladies in our office how many of them shave their arms, and similar to our Instagram audience 25% of them do.

Is not shaving armpits a trend?

It's becoming increasingly normal for Gen-Z women to ditch the razor. A study from 2016 revealed that nearly one in four females under the age of 25 had stopped shaving their underarms, and it's likely that figure is considerably higher now.

Where should you not shave?

Seven areas I recommend NEVER shaving
  • (1) Widow's peak or any irregularity along your hairline.
  • (2) Any part of your eyebrows. Shaving causes a cross-section of the hair and makes you look like you have a 5:00 shadow between your eyebrows. ...
  • (3) Beard and face. ...
  • Chest. ...
  • Arms. ...
  • (4) Armpits. ...
  • (5) Stomach. ...
  • (6) Pubic area.

Do celebrities remove arm hair?

Kim & Khloe Kardashian: Known for their reality TV presence, the Kardashian sisters use laser hair removal for arms, legs, underarms, and bikini lines, ensuring they're always red-carpet ready. Sara Sampaio: This Victoria's Secret model discussed her positive experience with laser hair removal in an Allure interview.

Is it OK if I don't shave my armpits?

According to a study published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, not shaving your armpits has little to no effect on body odor. As long as you're still regularly showering and using deodorant you should expect to smell the same as you always do. As for sweat, that's also just a myth.

When did shaving armpits become a thing?

In the 1920s, the new fashion for sleeveless tops and short dresses meant that the legs and armpits of American women were now visible in social situations, and advertisers seized the opportunity to encourage women to shave their legs and their armpits.

Can I put deodorant after shaving?

As explained earlier, the application of a hygiene product should not be done immediately after shaving or hair removal. A break is essential to allow your skin to breathe and dry completely. A delay of about 48 hours is truly ideal before the application of a deodorant or an antiperspirant.

Do men prefer shaved pubic hair?

Most women (64.3%) and men (62.2%) preferred complete removal of female pubic hair, and this preference was more pronounced in younger women and men.

Do most girls shave down there?

Pubic hair grooming, described as partial or complete removal of pubic hair, is considered a prevalent practice in both men and women [1]. Notably, The prevalence of this practice is reportedly high in groomers with more than 80% of women actively engaging in it, as evidenced by multiple studies [1,2,3,4,5].

Does pubic hair turn gray?

Just like the hair on the head, the hair on the rest of the body, including the pubic area, is subject to graying. As people age, their skin produces less melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving skin and hair its color. The hair follicles contain melanin.

Why do I smell more when I don't shave?

Personal hygiene and lifestyle

Removing some of the bacteria on your skin regularly can prevent unpleasant body odor. Keep your armpits shaved, so sweat evaporates quickly and doesn't have as much time to interact with bacteria. Hair is a breeding ground for bacteria. Regularly wash clothing, and wear clean clothes.

How do female dancers keep from smelling?

In Your Dance Bag

Throw a travel pack of baby wipes (for quick “showers”), deodorant, a towel, and something sprayable that smells good (use it often, but not TOO MUCH).

Why is pubic hair so thick?

Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the thickened cuticle layer in pubic hair may have evolved as a defence mechanism against chemical damage from urine, urea and ammonia. Keywords: FT-IR imaging; cortex; curly hair; cuticle; hair; pubic hair; scalp hair; urine effects.

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