I’ve read the previous posts on this controversial topic, but I have a couple of outstanding questions. I have body hair - not enough to be ashamed at the pool, but I have noticeable chest, back, arm and leg hair. If I shaved only to the bike shorts, it’d look pretty funny at the pool, never mind the shower. While I enjoy the feeling of passing other hair-less triathletes on the course (“what’s with that mountain biker?!”), I’d like to shave (for any one of several good reasons, previously covered in other threads!), but I’m not sure what I’m signing up for - Should I be shaving all the way up (what does that mean, exactly)? Will I be shaving 2x per week (I can’t really get by without shaving everyday for work)? Is shaving the best option?
Apologies for those that are blessed with fair/thin/no body hair that can’t really appreciate the dilemma of us hairy legs. Thanks for your help!
Unless you are an elite level cyclist, I can’t see the reason for maintaining shaved legs, never mind other parts of the body. I shave my legs prior to a race, but only so that I’m not ripping leg hair out as I yank off my wetsuit. Other than that, I let it grow, usually keep it short with clippers, but maintaining shaved legs is time consuming. I don’t know how women do it. Maybe having fine hair helps, mine is thick and dense.
As for how high, I shave to my speedo line when I do shave, otherwise I’d look ridiculous.
Brother Triguy— You are a triathlete. Triathletes wear small neon-colored lycra clothes, spend a lot of money on gear, talk about drag coefficients, and exercise twice a day. Triathletes walk around grocery stores in their speedos. 5’10" triathletes weigh 145 pounds and are still on diets. Triathletes are dorks. You are a triathlete, ergo, you are a dork. Be proud of it! I recommend you shave your legs just to the bottom of your tri shorts legs. Consider shaving an IM logo in your back hair and a superman logo in your chest hair while you are at it.
-Marc “still get shaving tips from my girlfriend” K
the reason cyclists shave their legs is not for aerodynamics. It’s so that when you hit the pavement at 30+ mph the road dirt is 100 times less painful to scrub out of your wounds. Believe me, I’ve had to do it with and without the fur. Not to mention you could save upto half a second in non wetsuit swim legs! Just kidding. But if that thing with the wetsuit and yanking on the hair is true, that sounds like reason enough. I’d leave the arm, back, chest and ear hair alone though. Not going to give you any benefit anywhere. And if you do it 2x per week then the “Gay Alarm” will ring in your ears forever. Right before a race should be sufficient. And no more than will be exposed should be fine on the legs.
Personally, I think shaving to the bottom of your tri/bike shorts looks kind of silly, and since looks is a big part of why we shave… I shave to the speedo line and I shave 3 days a week to keep it smooth (relatively). I hate stubble. I raced IMMoo last year, and then went right into cyclocross, and then went to Powerman Alabama in March, so I just kept the shaved legs all winter.
I’ve used it to great success in the past when removing hair from my legs. You may need to use it twice the first time to get all those pesky hairs, but it leaves you as smooth as a baby’s you know what and there are no worries about cutting/knicking your knees, your ankles, etc…
Now I’ve been told there is Nair for Men** **which seems like something worth trying. I know we have a lot of brave souls on this forum and I’m curious who’ll step up and take one for the team.
Heck it looks like they are giving out free samples even - why not give it a shot.
It may sting a bit while using it - be very careful of any cuts, nicks, etc… because those can hurt more than a red-hot fire poker. But all in all it doesn’t hurt too bad. It ends up hurting much less than knicking your legs with a razor.
I happen to have been cursed with more body hair than I care to have. So to combat this, I shave my body hair on a regular basis. I shave my legs, back (my wife helps with this, what a woman), shoulders smooth and closely trim my chest, abdomen, arms and armpits. I’m NOT a freak. Those of you who are naturally hairless just don’t know what it’s like to be hirsute in this sport and this life that typifies fit, healthy and sexy as a chisled, smooth-chested man (Tom Selleck, Nicholas Cage, Robert Redford, et. al. excluded).
I also use a Gillette Sensor Excel razor and Nair for Men for certain things and have some personal do’s and dont’s. I use the razor for face and shoulders only. I get razor bumbs anywhere else using this method. Nair for Men on the legs, but only 3/4 of the way up the thigh. Any higher and I break out in razor bumps. I go all the way up the leg, but use the trimmer without the guard. WARNING - Nair for Men works great, but follow the instructions EXACTLY. Use a digital kitchen timer and start it as soon as you start to apply it, otherwise IT WILL BURN! This is a caustic lotion that literally burns the hair to remove it. It will burn your skin, too, if left on too long. I use a little Pyrex custard cup, put the Nair for Men into it and apply it to my legs using a cheap, 2" natural bristle paint brush that can be purchased at Home Depot for about 30 cents (one-time use only as the Nair will burn this hair, too!). This ensures a smooth, even coat of remover. Do one leg at a time and remove the Nair as soon as the timer beeps (I start with 9 minutes). Use a soft sponge (natural sea sponge works good) and water to remove the Nair and help the stubborn hair to be removed.
Good luck. I totally understand how you feel and I say go for it!
Very helpful replies from some (not so much from others!..but that is the nature of the topic, I guess…).
Muppet - I’ll be interested in your Nair experience. Be sure to post a report. I’ve heard nasty things about that stuff (skin irritation; got to live with stubble for some time after each treatment, until the hair grows ‘long enough’ again;…).
Haystack - thanks for the sympathy! I’ll see if the wife is up for helping out.
I dunno - After Haystack’s post, I’m not so sure I want to try it! Actually - I ordered a sample from their website, not sure how long it will take to arrive, but I’ll post when I’m done
Although I do it for vanity reasons (mostly), another advantage that I haven’t seen mentioned is that it makes sunscreen application 100 times easier.
I have fair skin, and have to religiously use sunscreen on everything exposed if I go outside. I go through a butload of sunscreen every year. Anyhoo, when applying suncreen to hairy legs, it can take awhile and the sunscreen doesn’t rub in nearly as fast and clumps, as the hair hinders the absorbtion and spreading. Man, but when the legs are smooth…WOW…its quick and fast.
By the way, BullFrog Alcohol based sunscreen just can’t be beat. Its clear (not white) and dries and spreads quick.
