Hair removal from the male body has become known as Manscaping. Though it has been practiced for many years in some forms (mostly by cyclists and swimmers to reduce drag) it went mainstream with the popularity of the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy television show, when they told their audience it promotes a more "groomed appearance, makes some things, like bellies, look smaller and 'other things' (head nod to the crotch) look bigger."
Now, the practice is a matter of personal taste. Some of us prefer the groomed look and others firmly believe we should allow our bodies to remain as nature provided, no matter the degree of hairiness (light sprinkling or Sasquatch). I personally prefer a clean, smooth cock shaft and ballsac, and the rest to be neatly trimmed.
A Faithful Reader (who regularly contributes to posting ideas - and I thank him profusely!!) sent me a link to an "article" about Manscaping, which makes the claim that it spreads a viral STD. I'd long been contemplating doing a post on this, but this provided the impetus to finally do one. Now, because I like blogging and don't want to be shut down (again), I won't name [company] names.
This "STD" is called Molluscum and, after carefully reading through the article, it makes sense to a certain degree - I can see how yanking the hair out via waxing (or similar type of removal) could leave "microscopic" wounds. Give them a couple days to heal and transmission through skin contact would be a non-issue. Other forms, such as laser, or mild depilatories do not leave open wounds - or shouldn't if done properly! However, it [the article] immediately becomes suspect because the site sells (and promotes within the article, providing links to the purchase page) OTC health supplements to boost the immune system. And becomes even more suspect when it claims that simple trimming, or "clipping" as she puts it, will also lead to transmission.
Upon further investigation, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), "Molluscum infections occur worldwide but are more common in warm, humid climates and where living conditions are crowded. ... Although not limited to children, it is most common in children 1 to 10 years of age. People with weakened immune systems (i.e., HIV-infected persons or persons being treated for cancer) are at higher risk for getting molluscum ... Molluscum can be spread from one person to another by sexual contact. The virus may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it, such as a towel, clothing, or toys. ... these infections are not routinely monitored because they are seldom serious and routinely disappear without treatment. ... " (Italics (for clarification) and bold type (for emphasis) are mine.)
Though the article is correct that it is "spread through sexual contact," it positively is not, and can not be, classified as an STD. She quotes a "study" of 30 patients in France to make her case but that certainly does not qualify as a legitimate medical study - in any sense of the term.
One statement in her post is untrue - at least as far as I've been able to find - regarding the regrowth of hair after laser removal. It does take a series of treatments over a period of (up to) several years to stop hair growth, but stop it it does.
Overall, I have to describe this "article" by what is known as a "scare tactic sales pitch." Always read internet "studies" with a jaundiced eye; work through them using the smell test - if it seems fishy, it probably is!
So, Manscape to your hearts content if that is your preference.
I truly thank my Faithful Reader for bringing me another great men's issue to blog about! And, remember, if you've got an idea for a post, or a question to ask, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment!
13 comments:
I like them manscaped myself. :)
I trim CAREFULLY using a razor. Been tempted to go "bald" down there, to match my head
I like my men with bald balls and a smooth shaft. Their pubic bush should be bushy.
It's the first time that I read something about STD. By cons I've heard that this practice has if not eradicated at least greatly reduced the population of pubic lice. But in terms of aesthetics, I have the impression of seeing prepubescent individuals.
Bisous, my dear friend.
I also enjoy a bald sack and shaft. I like how it looks and how it feels. As for my bush, either bushy or lightly trimmed. For everyone else I love the diversity. Great information here. Thanks for your research. I hope you are having a great day, buddy. Hugs and Strokes, AOM
Shaved sac and trim the rest! I've never had an infection from that!
I still prefer the natural look. Although I must admit a fit, toned body can look very appealing hairless. But this is probably because of the similarity to the classical look of marble statues and naked heroes, gods etc in art.
Where manscaping goes wrong is when men do it unthinkingly. Some will simply shave a strip above their cock in some misguided notion that it will make their member look bigger.
Others will shave off their pubic hair and leave the rest of their body hair at natural length, making them look like numpties. And then there are those that trim their body hair to ridiculously short length, hoping that it still looks natural. It doesn’t. A case in point is an actor in an English soap opera. He is naturally hairy all over. We know this because a few years ago we saw him/his character with his shirt off just before his then girlfriend gave him a waxing. More recently, his shirt came off to show his friend the bruises caused by his fiance beating him. We didn’t see his back but his chest hair was so obviously “just shaved” that it was laughable.
If it is done right, it can look okay. Otherwise it can just look sad and weird.
If in doubt guys, don’t bother.
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I trim, never shave. Like a neat haircut.
Personally I don't understand why guys shave it bare, it's definitely a turn off for me. But each to their own.
Oddly enough, I started manscaping due to an STD - crabs! I am quite hairy, and got the little critters somewhere once. After that, I started trimming and then shaving parts of my bod. I haven't had an issue since, although I have certainly put my ass in situations where I probably came in contact with the little fuckers. Just as one should not vigorously brush one's teeth or floss right before performing oral sex, one should probably not shave your balls and then have sexual contact with a stranger. Shaving leave tiny openings and you can expose yourself to stuff that way. Thanks for sharing this information. - Uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque
Ahhh, people.... *shakes head*
I usually prefer a man to be trimmed (I absolutely abhor getting hair in my mouth) but not shaved entirely, as it is rarely done right before sex and so tends to lead to a rash from the pricklies. :P
On the complete other side of the ballpark, a run through a local drugstore for something else entirely led us to buying Zinc and Gingko Biloba supplements. The gingko was more for me, but he takes them as well since they are good for blood circulation and the brain. And, as you and I discussed quite some time ago, the zinc DEFINITELY seems to be increasing the amount of precum AND the thickness of his cum. 'Tis very nice! Thank you again for the suggestion.
@ Amanda - It is always good to know you've stopped by! I wish more Ladies would join the conversations here!
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