Body hair, yuck.
I have never liked my body hair. As a natural red head my body hair is fair but there’s a lot of it. I will never forget how amazing it was the first time I shaved off all my body hair. Wow! So smooth, so soft! Then to put on hose and heels and a soft dress; holy smokes I was in heaven!
I have since said that if men shaved their bodies the world would see less violence and war. To me, doing that one thing is such an act of self-care, self-love. Just the manner of shaving, slowly letting the razor glide over all the curves and crevasses of your body, feeling each inch of skin is an act of love that I’ve never received but find it a wonderful gift, a giving experience to myself. It’s not just that the act of shaving is wonderful in and of itself, it continues after the shower when I gently apply lotion to my legs, arms, and anywhere that has been shaved. The cool, soft feeling of delicate fabrics caressing newly shaven skin is so pleasurable. After I shaved for the first time, I discovered that the hair on my body had been keeping my skin somewhat separated from my clothes. I had never really felt fabric on my skin. What a fine discovery!
I started exploring different ways of removing body hair. First was Nair. I read the instructions and tried it on my chest. It did not give me the removal I hoped for, so I tried it again. That was my mistake. Being fair skinned as I am, I discovered a high sensitivity to Nair. Shortly after the second application, I felt my skin burning. I washed it off, but it was too late, and my entire chest became covered in hives. It took a month for them to go away.
So, I went back to shaving. I had no idea how fast shoulder and arm hair grew. I would shave in the morning only to have prickly shoulders by evening. Then I read about epilating. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s like tweezing your hair only instead of plucking each hair out one at a time it has a roller that high-speed plucks out an inch swath. Supposedly, you will be without hair for 4 to 6 weeks. After checking around, the highest reviewers were for the Braun Silk epil 9. I found it for sale on eBay for 70 dollars. It’s a bargain because new they are $140.
I started with my legs. It stung but was not unbearable. It’s been about three weeks so far and still no hair there. I then went to my arms and shoulders. Stung a bit but not bad. I went to my belly and OUCHIE, OUCHIE, OH CRAP THAT HURTS! I can only do a few inches at a time and then I must stop. Each day I do a little more and love the feeling of my smooth belly. I’ve read that after your skin gets used to the process the discomfort becomes minimal. I have been finding a few places on my arms that fine hair has returned, but with just a quick swipe of the Epi it takes care of it with no discomfort at all.
I have to say, I miss that feeling of hose on fresh shaven legs. But I love that I don’t have to shave my arms and privates every single day.
So, to all the ladies I say, give yourself a gift of sensitive, soft, and sumptuous skin.
Hugs
Diane
Love ❤️ this
Maryjane, Thank you for reading this story and connecting with it. I think that is what most of us want is a genuine connection.
Hugs
Diane
Hi I did use Nair with Aloe .To keep your skin from doing that I use Aloe to minimize the burning and discomfort. I have been shaving sence i was 22yrs old it works all the time for me.
That is what I tried but wow it did not like me!!!
Hus
Diane
Nair works wonders on my legs. So much less tedious then shaving and they are soft as silk. However, I have the worst problem with the back & inside of my thighs, as well as my cheeks. Nair burns my skin in those areas before it gets to the hair and shaving irritates my thighs and cheeks so bad it hurts to sit down. Any suggestions?
I have been using this product called Creamo. It works wonderfully for me and if you get it at bed bath and beyond it is cheep. This 6 ounces will last months. I have had my first tube of it and I know I have had it for 6 months at least. It can cost as much as 22 dollars but at BB&B it is 6.99. Here is the link to the lavender
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/cremo-trade-6-fl-oz-concentrated-lavender-bliss-shave-cream/1020442200?opbthead=true&ta=typeahead&keyword=cremo
I used Nair exactly 1 time. I think Drano is less harsh. Hair removal has been an evolutionary process for me. Shaving>Epilating>Laser/IPL. I simply love having smooth skin. Feeling fine fabric on my hairless body is sublime. I’m never going back!
Big hug,
Emily
Emily, I could not agree with you more. Sublime is the prefect word. Soft, smooth, comforting. When I am hairless I just love to feel my skin. It is as if I did not know I had any skin before removing the hair. “Sisters of the pink fog LET THE HAIR GO!!"
Big hugs back at ya.
Diane
Hi Diane, thanks for the tip. I have an epilator that is a million years old and only use it for the bikini region. I just ordered the one you talked about in you article and look forward to using it on my legs.
Thanks for sharing your story, it is not long at all and would love to hear more. You have such an honest and genuine approach to your gender identity and you also look so wonderful! I just love how you express yourself, visually and with words.
Maggie
Thanks Maggie, I just dont know what to say. Thank you.
Hugs
Diane
I have been thinking about writing a follow up to this and some other things. I never thought I could write in the past. So Thanks
Hugs
Diane
To me, it was opposite when i grew up.. i wanted hair on my body soon to let everyone know that im grown up.. but when Neha started to blossom thats when I preferred to have less hair..
I did shave my whole body using but they all came back in a month time.. i do love a short hair in my armpits and my privates… i like all clean, but that short sprout in my armpit gives a different feeling to me!
Hugs
❤️Neha
Neha, Thank you for adding your history to this trail of discovery.
Hugs
Diane
I’m a competitive cyclist so I’ve been shaving for years; though, I shave off “a little" more than I need too. Luckily, I have very little body hair except for my blonde and grey highlighted mane that I’m growing out again. I’ve tried Nair and wax, but I enjoy the ritual of shaving in the shower. The sensation of freshly shaved legs and just laundered sheets is one of greatest thrills.
Erica, I could not agree more. I love the feel of my skin against any fabric really but fresh silky sheets. Wow!!!
Hugs
Diane
An inspiring story. I would love to one day shave off all of my body hair to experience what you have described. It is an act of self love. Thank you!
Christie, It is amazing and after you do it you will not want to go back to hairy you again.
Hugs
Diane
I used Nair too in the beginning and it was yucky and smelly. I also tried my friends epilator and thought it was too painful but now ready to try it again. I have gotten use to using the razor in the shower to stay hair free. I just love the feeling of being smooth and silky all over and use body lotion afterwards. Such a nice feeling the way clothes and hose feels too when out
So as I have been epilating there are a few things I have learned. exfoliate once or twice a week as the hairs will try and grow back and some of those suckers will not grow out properly. Exfoliation Helps stop that from happening.
Hugs
Diane
Hi Diane… Awesome article… Thank you for posting. Over the past few months I have been trying to keep my body hair in check. Recently I purchased a Philips Lumea IPL device. Going to have my 3rd treatment tonight. It seems to be working. Hair growth has diminished. The initial treatments will last 4 months. Once every 2 weeks with a total of 8 treatments… I’m treating once a week… I feel more comfortable with once a week. Once the initial treatments are finished, a touch up once every 8 weeks is all that is necessary. What a wonderful feeling… Read more »
Good for you Genevieve. I am trying to keep up the epilating. I is fine on my arms and legs but the tummy still hurts a lot….
Yeah Smooth!!!
Diane
Epilating sounds too painful for me…
How is your comfort level or should I say discomfort levels around you tummy and chest?
Does it get to be less and less and you continue using? I am hoping the answer is yes.
Have you had any issues with ingrown hairs?
Hugs
Diane
I am sorry I thought it was an epilator you were talkin about. I see it is the flash removal method you talking about. I hope that will work for me but because I have such fair colored hair I don’t think it will. I have ordered one and will try it out and see.
Hugs
Diane
Hi Diane…. the IPL works best with light skin and dark hair… Let me know how you make out with yours. What brand/model did you purchase?
Gen
Thanks for sharing the story. I have used a Braun Epi razor for years now. However, I only use it on my legs. It was way too painful on my chest and bikini areas. I could never stand the pain of it in those areas. More power to you for bearing that pain and creating less hair.
Janice, the only thing that makes it more or less bearable it to do it while in the shower.
Hugs
Diane