Chest hair is a part of life for many men. There’s a lot of different options available to men when deciding what to do with their chest hair, including growing, grooming, or shaving.
We get it, having hair between your neck and abdomen can be problematic sometimes, and managing it could be even more worrisome. Are you self-conscious about your body hair? Need advice on how to groom it or the best way to manage its growth?
This piece is a complete guide to all you need to know about chest hair: how to grow it, different methods of removing it, and why you should or shouldn’t keep it.
What Is Chest Hair?
Most parts of the outer human body are covered in hair, aside from the soles of the feet and the palms of our hands.
Chest hair grows on the chest due to rising androgen levels during and after puberty. Men usually have more body hair, particularly facial hair (beards) and on the upper body, due to a large amount of androgen present in the male anatomy.
Genetics differ, so hair grows differently for different people. An individual’s hormonal status, age, and genetic disposition all influence hair growth.
How to Grow Chest Hair
If you’re into beach time and a hot summer body, here’s a list of things that can help you grow a hairy chest.
Testosterone
Having the proper testosterone levels determines if you get hairy clumps or don’t. It also determines if you get longer chest hairs or shorter lengths. You can meet a doctor to know the testosterone level and how to use testosterone supplements.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that testosterone can inhibit hormonal imbalance and prevent hair growth when testosterone is too high. So, the middle of the pack is usually the best spot. A healthy diet and exercise can also help increase your testosterone levels.
Hair Treatment
Some hair growth products are effective, while others are not. You must be willing to conduct research. You can, however, locate something that works. When used as suggested, it can help you grow a little extra hair on your chest.
Always read the label before using a product. If you can’t discover genuine scientific evidence supporting the substances in your cream, you shouldn’t use it. Also, you might get skin irritation on your head or skin as a result of using something that doesn’t go well with your skin.
Groom Properly
Proper grooming can aid in hair growth and improve the overall appearance. Cutting hair to let it grow is a real thing, and to some extent, chest hair works this way. Grooming hair is all about skin health. Grooming your skin translates to clearer pores and a healthy environment that is great for growing hair.
Here are some tips for hair grooming:
- Comb your hair to get rid of dead skin cells and dead hair within.
- Wash it regularly with shampoo.
- Apply serum or lotions that’ll keep it moist and smooth.
Be Patient
Even if you have the best genetics and the ideal hormone levels that aid hair growth, it’ll take time to achieve your desired results. So, be patient. However, don’t neglect it. Make sure to keep it clean and well-moisturized.
How to Manage Chest Hair
While some guys want to grow out their chest hair, some are sensitive and want to go under the razor to shave it all off. Some men even prefer waxing!
Shaving
For a long time, one of the most significant debates in grooming has been centered around hair removal style, particularly shaving.
Shaving aids in healthy hair development and keeps the torso in pristine condition. It’s also the quickest and most cost-efficient way for men to get rid of body hair.
Personal preference plays a huge factor in your decision to shave. Before you pick up that razor, ensure that it is what you want, not social pressure or impulse. Don’t risk getting a razor burn or cut through a shave.
How to Shave Chest Hair
To shave your hair properly without any hassles, get the best shaving cream that works for you. Also, rub the shaving cream over your chest area and run your razor through the hair.
Be extra careful, though, or you may end up nicking yourself with a razor and getting painful wounds or pain from your gel dribbling into an injury.
Pros and Cons of Shaving Chest Hair
Pros
- Shaving will help you show off your gym body.
- It is sanitary, as thick hair length hides dirt and dead skin.
- It will give you a younger appearance.
Cons
- If you have no idea what you’re doing, you could injure yourself.
- You may have sensitive skin and skin irritation for hours after shaving.
- It could make your entire chest look fat, with man-boobs and nipples.
Trimming
Trimming is usually the best method to maintain chest hair. A good trim will give a smooth result and won’t affect your skin.
While similar to shaving, it’s much easier to maintain and a lot easier on the skin. Using the electric trimmer makes trimming better as it reduces the length of the tips of the hair and improves consistency.
Always trim on dry skin as hairs tend to stick to the skin after a warm shower and rinse, thus inhibiting access to most of the hair when grooming. You could use a towel to wipe off the gel and water on your skin.
Pros and Cons of Trimming
Pros
- Having a trim allows you to keep your hair short. You won’t go around sandpapering your partner, and neither will you look like a brillo pad.
- It is more hygienic than keeping full chest hair, with much-needed space between hair follicles.
Cons
- A day or two after trimming, the hair will be sharp and may poke you through your clothes.
- If you don’t have a gym body, you may look unappealing.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is the most technological option for removing chest hair in human history! It is a permanent process where doctors use lasers to burn off the hair root/follicles. Of course, it’s effective, but it’s expensive.
Pros of Laser Hair Removal
- Fast
- Prevents ingrown hairs
- Permanent solution
- Not as painful as other procedures
Cons of Laser Hair Removal
- Pricey
- Untrained technicians can cause poor results
- Long and arduous process
Do Women Like Chest Hair?
This is a complex question because its answers are rooted in women’s preferences. Some women adore men with chest hair; to others, the sight of men with chest hair much less appealing.
However, in many’s experience, women like chest hair. It’s impossible to please everyone, so ultimately choosing to have or not have chest hair is entirely up to you.
Final Words on Chest Hair
Whether you keep chest hair or not depends on your preference. But if you decide to keep it, keep it clean. There’s no telling what can hide in a mass of hair. Bonus points for you if your woman (or women, as the case may be) like(s) it.
By the way, even if you don’t mind hair poking out of your shirt, remember that not every place is a hot beach. In some settings, visible chest hair can be unethical or unpleasant. It’s recommended to shave to be on the safe side; or, better still, a high-collared shirt to keep it all in.
You can choose to have a smooth and bare chest or a full-haired chest like Burt Reynolds or Steve Carell, whatever suits your style, of course. And unless going hairless or laser removal is your choice, it can always be changed.
