Ask QC: What To Do About My Extra-Hairy Back?
Dear QC,
It's summer break! I just finished high school and CAN'T WAIT to go to college in the fall. But there's a problem. I'm really hairy. Don't get me wrong, I totally love my hairy chest, but what I can't stand is the hair growing on my back. Not just the back of my neck and shoulders either—it's covers the entire top half of my back, and left and right flanks of my lower back. I'm kinda scared to take my shirt off around guys, let alone have sex with them when I know they will be touching and seeing my nasty hairy back.
I mean, the obvious answer is to shave/wax it. I never shaved it, because I hear that's the worst since it grows back fast. But keep in mind I'm a college student, so I can't really afford monthly or bi-monthly waxes. Also, I don't know how fast it would all grow back. I tried the Norelco Body Groom and the Mangroomer without much success. The Norelco just doesn't work well, and the Mangroomer leaves red marks; they go away in a few days, but by then the stubble is back.
I know some people will say "Oh you'll find a guy who will be okay with it." But if I'm not okay with it there's no way I'll just keep my back hair growing. I'm planning on getting laser treatment when I'm out of college, but until then, can anyone recommend a course of action for me? Maybe a different product or something else? Take into account I'm going to be in college so money's an issue to keep in mind as well as sound (I really don't want to use the loud Mangroomer or Bodygroom in my dorm or in the showers. LOL!)
Thanks a lot. Can't wait for some feedback!
Marty
Marty's in a hairy situation and needs advice that's a cut above the rest. Should the young cub grin and bear his ultra-hairy back or is there a smoother solution for him? Please share you advice and experience in the comments section.
Have a question for QC? Send 'em to ask@queerclick.com and we'll do our best to solve your problems!
13
QC Asians
Reader Comments
Your 2¢, in chronological order — add your comment below.
Nair... it is cheap and easy to use... u may have to keep up with it regularly but it works... now how to apply... take the nair smear a nice layer on the shower wall... then turn around and rub ur back against the wall... use a mirror to make sure u have covered all areas... rinse the wall off and wait till it has worked.. when the hair can be removed with easy pressure... rinse ur back off and rub it against the wall to remove all the hair.. should last a week or so before any real regroth...
Get some Nair or Veet hair remover creme. It's available in any drug store, grocery store, or Walmart. If you can shave your own back, you should be able to apply these cremes yourself. You'll probably need to use it once per week.
TRY NAIR FOR MEN. IT MAY TAKE A COUPLE APPLICATIONS, BUT IT'S THE MOST ECONIMCAL, AND LEAVES YOUR BACK FEELING SMOOTH....
I love hairy men and that includes hair back there. My own back hair bugs me b/c it itches (I'm OK w/the way it looks). It's too expensive to get it lasered off since it doesn't bother me all the time.
My advice, learn to appreciate it as a sign of your virility (extra testosterone!) and a complement to your chest hair. Yum.
To meet other guys (in a healthy way) you need to be comfortable with who you are overall, not necessarily every aspect of yourself. Take your time.
I was in the same situation once. I got a "Grooming Buddy" (strictly platonic) and my problem was solved.
I was in the same spot. I got laser hair removal (took about 5 hours of sessions) and it removed about 90% of the hair on my back. I did it 10 years ago and am glad I made that decision instead of suffering. It is expensive, but it you think about the years ahead of you I think you might decide it's worth the investment. I hit the last 10% with a razor 1x a month (I use the Razorba which holds a razor for your back). Be sure t oresearch the types of lasers that work best for your type of skin and hair (there are different types) and negotiate with the company that you use to remove the hair (in this economy the will definitely be doing a deal). If you have some type of tradeable skills (web design, carpentry, etc) you might be able to trade services with a small business owner. FYI that back when I did it, men did not go get their backs lasered...it was a little humiliating calling and shopping around but I sucked it up and did it.
Either get it lasered off or learn to live with it. I'm really hairy myself and have met a surprisingly large number of guys who are into it. For some guys it's a turn-off, but there's always going to be someone who doesn't like whatever type you are. But a lot of guys who didn't think they'd like it end up thinking it's sexy. In fact, I've never had trouble getting laid. But that's only if you come to terms with it yourself. If you think it's a defect, other guys will pick up on that.
Dude. I have back hair. I used to shave it, Nair it, I even used a spray-on hair remover. They all worked well, but were time consuming and not easy to use by my self. Its all a big pain in the ass. I decided that it wasn't worth all the trouble, and if the man I was with had an issue with it, the he wasn't worth my time. I now have a great boyfriend that LIKES the hair. (he calls me his razorback...as in the wild boar)
I'm happy, and I'm saving money and time. Just let it grow, be who you are. Life is about a hell of a lot more than just looks.
haha that grooming buddy sounds like a good idea. for now i use the mangroomer back hair shaver - but luckily it doesn't leave red marks for me. are you using it on a regular basis or just whenever? maybe your skin needs to get used to it...
If you go with the Nair, even if you get one for sensitive skin, do a test on a small patch of skin (inside of your elbow or something like that) first! If you're allergic/sensitive/whatever to it, it's like a chemical burn and it hurts like the hottest fires of hell.
And yes, that's the voice of experience speaking. LISTEN TO IT. You will thank me.
Nair seems to be the unanimous solution. Relatively cheap and easy (I'd be leery of trying so save even more by using non-name brand products).
The grooming buddy idea may have merit if you can find someone looking for a similar solution (I used to cut and trim a straight roommate's hair).
However, I vote for accepting yourself as you are. It seems everyone has something or other they don't like about themselves and the funny thing is, others WISH they had that particular "problem." Some super-smooth, hairless guys wish they had MORE hair, and here you are complaining that you have too much.
It's not too much, it's exactly right for who you are.
Imagine all the man-hours wasted on grooming PERCEIVED flaws. Another roommate spend HOURS plucking his "pleasure trail" until it was "just so." What a waste of time (believe me, it wasn't his pleasure trail that needed work).
Use the Nair Body Cream. Works great for me. Lasts about a week or so. I also use it on the outer edges of my ears. I always set aside some grooming time at least every two weeks to trim nails, trim lower regions (if you know what I mean), and work on my back. I must admit a "grooming buddy" sounds awesome!
I too have a hairy back (and hate it - but not knocking those that crave a silverback ;-). Nair it. The men's version's smell can be pretty gross, so I always buy the women's aloe scented one (it's actually the same product - sorry ladies). I'm pretty flexible (yoga and running), so I can reach all parts of my back myself. If you can't, you'll need to find a grooming buddy. If there's no guy in the dorm who'll do it, find a girl. Bring over some drink mixer and make margaritas while and her girlfriends help you ;-) I used to do that in college and watch Sex and the City with my girlfriends - good times.
You don't have to work into the skin very much - just lay it on your pelt really thick. Then wash the stuff off in the shower after wards. Then, take a towel and (gently) rub it across your back to get any "stragglers."
If you do nair repeatedly, the hair comes back slower over time.