Male waxing is the broad term for hair removal for men using depilatory wax. Within the beauty industry, it is common to see the more specific definitions 'male body waxing' and 'male Brazilian waxing'.
The latter refers to the removal of hair from the pubic area and buttocks, a service which is not always offered at salons while other male body parts might be, hence the distinction. Some salons may also offer to wax up to the bikini line, or leg crease, but go no further.
Male body waxing refers to all body areas from neck to toe except the genital and buttocks area. Normal body hair is finer with shallower roots than pubic hair. It is usually removed with strip wax which leaves a smooth result and exfoliates the top layer of dead skin cells.
Strip waxing begins with the application of warm depilatory wax in the direction of hair growth. A paper or calico strip is then pressed onto the wax then pulled off briskly in the opposite direction of application.
A post-wax lotion with antiseptic properties is then applied to help the skin recover quickly.
Some men grow dense pubic hair on body areas instead of the finer body hair, particularly on the stomach, chest, and upper back. This is usually due to ancestry, but can also be impacted by testosterone supplements.[1]
The somewhat vague term, male Brazilian waxing, refers to any removal of hair from the pubis, penis, scrotum, perineum, or buttocks. The definition also usually includes the bikini line, or an inch or two out from the leg crease.
It takes its name from female Brazilian waxing. The term Manzilian is becoming increasingly mainstream in advertising and popular culture to differentiate the treatment from female waxing.[2]
A slang term, back, sack and crack, is sometimes referred to in adult films to describe the treated area but it has largely fallen out of use.
Pubic hair is removed with hot wax, also called hard wax. This type of wax is solid but malleable at room temperature and does not require a strip.
Hard wax is applied in a similar fashion to strip wax, given a few seconds to harden and then pulled off. The advantage with hard wax on sensitive areas is that is less likely to stick to the skin, especially if used in conjunction with the pre-wax oil recommended by the manufacturer.
Again, an antiseptic post-wax lotion is applied afterward.
Brazilian waxing is very difficult for the untrained to perform without causing skin damage due to the multi-directional hair growth pattern of the pubic region.[3]
Hair Removal Therapists will usually recommend follow-up waxing treatments every 4 to 6 weeks. With repeated, regular treatments, it is common to notice a reduced rate of hair growth and finer hair.
This is particularly noticeable in people in middle-age or older where the rate of hair growth is naturally decreasing already.
Hair growth inhibitors are available commercially, and can be applied after waxing. The theory is that they somehow limit the hair follicle's ability to generate new hair, however their efficacy is open for debate.
Common contraindications for treatment include but are not limited to:
People taking anticoagulants, sometimes incorrectly referred to as blood thinners, are also in a higher risk category due to an increased chance of bruising. This is not necessarily a major risk, especially if they already wax regularly.[4]