According to historians, both men and women have shaved their hair in one way or another since the Stone Age. Apparently, the very first razors were made using shells, and the Ancient Egyptians are said to have used sugar-based wax pretty similar to the types we use today.

Back in the distant past, women removed their body hair to conform to the beauty standards at the time and potentially even to symbolise their class status. So it seems like women have gotten rid of their body hair for centuries, but it wasn’t an issue of personal ‘hygiene’, it was more about beauty ideals and social standings.

Why is body hair considered normal for men?

One American study found that over 80% of women aged between 18 and 25 groom their pubic hair.¹ But is this the same for men? While it’s not the societal norm for men to shave every inch of body hair, research suggests that the pressure may be amping up – especially when it comes to grooming chest and pubic hair.²

Why it’s time for women to take back their body hair

If you’re feeling restricted by beauty standards, it may be time to put down the razor and let your body hair grow out. Whether you find hair removal uncomfortable, expensive or you just don’t have the time – that’s okay! There are no rules when it comes to body hair.

New York city lifestyle featuring young African American woman with black and brown curly hair outside.

Remember, you’re in control. If you feel like shaving your armpits but not your legs, good for you! It’s important to do what makes you comfortable and confident and it doesn’t have to be all one or the other.

Taking inspiration from the Januhairy campaign, which encourages women to grow out their body hair to help work towards acceptance and confidence, why not let go of your hair removal products for a month and see how you get on?

Tips for growing your armpit hair out

Decided to take the plunge and grow out your body hair? We’re all for it, whatever you decide to do. Here are a few top tips for getting started:

1. Put down the razor, laser or wax strips

The first and most obvious step is to stop with the hair removal and let your hair do its thing. Just as you would with the hair on your head, it’s important to be patient and trust the process – even if it looks a little patchy in this stage.

2. Soothe sensitivity

A lot of people experience some sensitivity after removing their body hair, especially when it comes to their pubes and armpits. So keep in mind that you may be feeling a little sore and reach for products that support your skin in the meantime.

3. Exfoliate regularly

You may experience some ingrown hairs when growing your armpit hair out, but the most important thing is not to pick at them. Instead, use a sugar scrub or a gentle loofah to exfoliate the area.

4. Try to wear comfy, loose clothes

While things are still sorting themselves out, it’s best to stick to breathable fabrics. Think roomy organic cotton clothes and less of the tight synthetic stuff!

woman with long curly hair dancing in underwear

The importance of body hair

Why do we have body hair, then? Well, it turns out that our hair follicles play an important role in homeostasis (aka, when our body systems are balanced and working properly), but also in wound healing and skin protection.^3,4

Why do we have pubic hair?

We have pubic hair for a number of biological reasons. But the main two purposes of pubes seem to be reducing friction during sex and helping to keep bacteria at bay.⁵

Why do we have eyebrows?

Similarly, you might be wondering why we have hair on our face. From an evolutionary point of view, humans have eyebrows to prevent sweat from getting in our eyes. And we have eyelashes and nostril hairs to provide us with a little extra protection from the environment.³

happy woman in bralette holding arms above head showing armpit hair, embracing natural hair and happy

Why do we have armpit hair?

Similar to pubic hair, it is believed that we have hair under our arms to help reduce friction from movement. But it may also play a role in making our pheromones stronger…

What are some body hair myths?

The main myth that comes with body hair is that it’s unhygienic. While a lot of people state this as a reason for getting rid of it, there is little to no evidence that suggests body hair is unhygienic. As long as you’re maintaining your personal hygiene, it shouldn’t matter whether you’re fully shaved or leaving your hair au naturel!

So we know that it’s not unhygienic, but does body hair make you sweat more? Not necessarily, no. But hair can hold onto moisture, so you may find that when you do sweat, it stays a little more damp than when you’re fully shaven.

The final say

Fully shaved, partially shaved or all grown out - whatever your preference is, we hope you feel confident in the knowledge that all body hair is normal and if you don’t want to get rid of it, then that’s okay. Attitudes are shifting and outdated myths about body hair are being busted and we’re so here for it.