A Curious History Of Body Hair Removal
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

A Curious History Of Body Hair Removal

America is built on razors and waxing strips.

417
A Curious History Of Body Hair Removal
Pixabay

If you are constantly short on time, like me, chances are you have lamented the fact that shaving is a societal expectation and something that takes away your few, few minutes you have in the morning or the precious minutes in the shower at night. You might have even wondered to yourself the purpose of all this body hair removal: for women, shaving or waxing legs, armpit hair, bikini area, upper lip, eyebrows, and even peach fuzz on your face. For men, shaving pubic hair, shaving beard and mustache area, waxing eyebrows, and even excess chest hair. This may seem excessive to you when all laid out in a list, however many people do all of the above every day.

This body grooming may seem new to you, however, it is a tradition that has been traced back to 3000 BC, through ancient art and depictions of women from Egyptian and Mesopotamian times. Additionally, the nude Greek statues that were often depicted as hairless began the human movement toward the removal undesirable body hair: one that continues to this day, and one whose history is ever evolving and changing.

From 3000 BC to now, much has changed on the topic of body hair removal, and public persona and viewpoint with it.

Methods of body hair removal have begun to evolve greatly, even more with technological advances like laser hair removal and mechanical evolutions such as epilators, changing the efficiency and ease that body hair removal requires.

With basic methods such as waxing and tweezing ranging to higher tech and even perhaps considered “trendy” versions like sugaring and body hair removal cream. The wide range of body hair removal tactics has made the action commonplace and thus is a contribution to the societal expectation. The capitalist driven market of body hair removal continues to drive the propagation and image of the hairless human, perhaps costing us those extra minutes in the shower.

The reasons why we remove our body hair may be nuanced, however, there are several evolutions in history that likely encouraged the ritual of continual body hair removal.

For women, World War 1 in the 1940s caused a rise in the popularity of shorts, causing leg shaving to be commonplace. The rise of the bikini led to a more extreme case of hair removal, increasing the popularity of bikini waxes. On the men’s side, the rise in popularity of bodybuilding (Arnold Schwarzenegger) led to the exposure of more skin, and thus the men’s body hair removal tradition begun to gain traction.

However, perhaps as a backlash to all this body hair removal, the general population seems to have had enough. Movements like feminism have begun the protestation against these rather rigid societal expectations. So the next time you’re in the shower, remember that while body hair removal may be expected, it is always optional.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45982
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29108
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953512
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160320
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments