Razor burn. Any guy who has ever tried to manscape a little down there has probably dealt with this. If you wax, you can avoid it. Here are a few male waxing tips to make the process as painless as possible.
If you have ever used a razor to manscape a bit, you’ve probably dealt with razor burn. Razor burn occurs when hair that is shaved doesn’t grow back straight through the pore opening, and instead causes irritation and small abscesses.
About half of all men experience it when shaving their head, and I would wager that an even higher percentage experience it when manscaping.
The reason for this is due to a few factors:
- The skin around your private area is often very sensitive.
- Shaving too closely, or repeatedly shaving the same area.
- Using a dull razor.
- Not using shaving cream or a similar product.
What has that got to do with waxing around your junk?
Just about everything.
You see, anytime you want to take your trusty razor and cut your lower body hair down to size unless you are extremely careful and have done your due diligence in terms of preparation and after-care, you are all but assured of having at least some razor burn.
That is why, if you are going for a smooth look in and do it down there, I would advocate that you wax, and not shave.
Male Waxing Tips for Downstairs
There are two primary reasons I would recommend at least trying to wax:
- No razor burn and bumps.
- Your lower region will stay smooth and hairless for a longer period of time.
How much longer?
It’s not uncommon to go a good three weeks before you start to see hair follicles poke through the pores.
This brings me to a few key tips that you need to abide by if you want your junk, not to look like junk.
Tip #1 Get a Do-It-Yourself Kit
There are a few inexpensive but reliable do-it-yourself waxing kits made specifically for men online. My favorite is the BodyHonee Waxing Kit for Men.
I would recommend the sugar version instead of the extra strength since the wax is easier to apply and everything is a lot easier to clean up. Here’s why I would suggest you go with a do-it-yourself waxing kit, instead of going to a local pharmacy and buying all the products there.
- It’s simply easier.
Do-it-yourself kits contain everything you need in order to wax: wax, waxing strips, and spatulas. All you need to do is pop it into the microwave, heat it up, apply and rip it off
For your lower region, with most do-it-yourself kits you should have more than enough strips to last you at least a few months, or 3 or more waxing sessions.
Tip #2 Use a Body Powder Before Waxing
The directions won’t tell you this, but it’s common advice:
- Apply a bit of talcum or body powder to your lower body hair before waxing.
This will keep the skin dry and ready for the wax, and also make the hair seem to stand up a bit more, which means you’ll be able to pull off more hair with each strip. It also seems to really help with reducing the pain of waxing.
The reason you should apply a bit of body powder before applying the wax (as opposed to after) is to make sure everything is dry and clean. It will also help you keep your skin taut as you apply the strips and rip them off.
You won’t need a lot, just a bit should help.
Tip #3 Trim Hair Down there to Around Half an Inch
If the hair down there is too short the wax won’t be able to properly secure itself to the hair follicles and you won’t be able to rip those suckers out.
Too long and the hair follicles will get all mangled and twisted with each other, and it’s going to hurt like a b*tch when it comes time to actually wax.
Take a good hair trimmer and trim the hair down there to around half an inch. This is the ideal hair follicle length for a waxing session.
Tip #4 Work the Wax in Sections
I know you probably want to smear that hot wax all over your senior area and get it over with as fast as possible but don’t.
You are more likely to make a major mistake.
Instead, work in sections. It’s actually faster and more efficient this way anyway.
Smear the wax on in the direction of your hair growth, approximately an inch or two wide and three to four inches in length. Think of how you would smear peanut butter and jelly on a sandwich.
- Smear the wax in sections
- Wait a good 30 seconds or so until the wax hardens
- Check wax by tapping it
- Pull the section off by going against the direction of the hair
Tip #5 Clean Up Properly
Proper clean-up is important, and I’m not talking about your bathroom.
If you are up to it you can clean up by jumping in the shower and exfoliating yourself. Be very careful here as your skin will probably be a little sensitive and perhaps inflamed. It may be better if you instead apply a moisturizer. This will keep the skin soft and hydrated, and help to reduce inflammation and irritation.
You don’t want to make it ten times worse by scrubbing it with an exfoliating scrub as hard as you can.
It’s better if you actually exfoliate the skin around your lower region a few days or a week before waxing, as it will help your pores stay open, then clean and make the waxing session go a lot smoother.
But do make sure all the wax residue is cleaned up, and do a good once over with a good body wash and you will be good to go.
To summarize everything:
- Use a do-it-yourself waxing kit to save yourself a lot of the hassle that comes with getting ready to wax.
- Use a body powder before waxing.
- Get the hair down there to around half an inch in length. That seems to be the optimal length for waxing.
- Work in smaller, rather than bigger patches of hair.
- Clean up properly by either washing or using a moisturizer.