The 10 Best Manscaping Tips for Shaving Your Body, According to Grooming Experts

Go Slow And Use The Right Razor for Manscaping

It should go without saying, but shaving slowly is especially important when you go down below. “I have seen disasters from guys getting careless with razors and scissors down there,” says Rieder. “The skin is particularly delicate and there is not much separating the blade from your nuts!”

If you are going to use a razor, Janczyn recommends a two-blade razor. Fewer blades mean less irritation and fewer cuts. “They also clog up too quickly,” he says, “which increases frustration and makes people go a little too hard with the blade.” A simple razor like Gillette Sensor 2 is perfect. It still gives you the close shave you need, but is more gentle on your junk (or anywhere else) than versions with more blades. Remember: “more is not better,” says Janczyn.

Avoid Cross Contamination When Manscaping

The most important part of manscaping, according to Rieder, is cleanliness. Always shower before attempting to manscape. It will not only help soften the hairs and make them easier to cut, but it also helps get rid of bacteria that may be lurking on the skin (especially in areas like your groin or your pits). Then, before you set in to mow the lawn, wash your hands again.

The same cleanliness rules apply to the tools you’re using. “Never use the same razor for your body that you do for your face,” says Janczyn. We have different bacteria on our body than we do on our face, so keeping blades separate can help prevent spreading things like jock itch and even staph. “Ideally, you want two sets of razors,” he says, and make sure both sets are always sharp.

Using a disposable razor for your body is a good way to minimize the risk of contamination. Inexpensive packs of Schick ST2 Sensitive Skin Razors are perfect to make sure you’re always using a new blade (dull razors increase your risk of nicks and irritation). Plus, you won’t ever be tempted to use it on your face if you throw the razor out after every use. If you’re a minimalist, Janczyn says you can take a razor from your face to your body, but never vice versa.

Read more: Best Razors for Sensitive Skin

Shaving Your Balls Takes Flexibility

If you’re going to attempt to shave your own balls, do some stretches first. “It takes flexibility and patience,” says Janczyn. He recommends laying a towel down on the floor and standing in front of your bathroom mirror. Make sure you have good lighting. “There are all these different crevices that you need to be able to see,” he says. Before you start, relax—rushing through it will not help. When you’re shaving a delicate area like your junk, “you can only do small strokes with the razor,” says Janczyn. “Make sure you allow yourself enough time that you don’t get frustrated.” As you go, pull the skin tight (especially on your sack) to make sure you’re getting an effective shave.

If bathroom yoga isn’t your thing, or taking a blade to your toolbox is a little too extreme, Rieder recommends using a manscaping trimmer instead of a razor. “Clippers are way safer and decrease the risk of cuts, irritation, and ingrown hairs,” he says. Look for a clipper specifically designed for delicate areas, like the Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0 which is gentle enough for your family jewels and has multiple length settings so you don’t have to go fully hairless if you don’t want to.

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Use a Pre-Shave Oil Before Manscaping

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No matter where on your body you’re manscaping, you need to make sure to protect your skin first. The same rules apply to shaving your body as shaving your face. “Razors offer a close shave, but can also cause post-shave irritation if there is inadequate lubrication,” says Rider. Prep the skin before you shave with a pre-shave oil to help protect your skin.

It will help the razor glide across your skin easier and soften coarse body hair so it’s cut more easily.You can use the same shaving oil on your body as you do your face, just make sure it has skin-healthy ingredients and won’t clog your pores. Bevel Priming Oil uses olive, lavender, and caster oils for a smooth glide, and softens even course body hair to make it easier to cut.

Fade Your Body Hair With a Trimmer for A Natural Look

If you’re trimming your body hair, instead of shaving it off completely, think of it the same way you do the hair on your head. Not everything should be the same length. “You want to achieve a natural fade,” says Janczyn. “The hair on the outside of your chest should be closer to the skin and the hair in the middle of your chest should be a bit longer.” Not only will it look more natural, but it creates an optical illusion of more defined pecs without hours of bench presses. It also lasts longer. “If you trim your chest hair all one length, it looks fake as it grows in,” says Janczyn.

He recommends using a trimmer and scissors to make sure you are getting the exact length you want. At Manscape Spa, the contour chest and body hair by hand to create an artistic look. But at home, a trimmer with multiple settings works wonders. Start with the longest length and then work your way shorter only in the areas you want to crop close. “You can always go closer if you want,” Janczyn says.

Janczyn’s preferred trimmer is the Philips Norelco OneBlade because of its versatility. It comes with multiple length attachments and is small and light enough to use on even hard to reach areas. “It can do the entire body,” he says. If you’re going to use it on your face, which he says works well too, just make sure to have a different blade reserved for your body.

Read more: Philips Norelco OneBlade Review

Fur Ingrown Eliminator Mitts, which will help exfoliate and release hairs caught under your skin.

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It’s a reality of shaving that cuts happen, even to the most experienced among us. And when you’re manscaping sensitive areas, they’re even more likely. Then add the fact that you might not always be able to see where you’re shaving (like under your balls or on your shoulders) and it’s basically like using a weed whacker blindfolded. “If you see blood for any reason, stop immediately,” says Janczyn. “Wait for a couple of days for the spot to scab over and you can finish shaving, making sure to avoid the area that’s still healing.” Better yet, cool it for a couple of weeks until the area is completely healed.

“If you cut yourself manscaping, clean the area with soap and water,” says Rieder. “Hold firm pressure for ten minutes on any area that is bleeding.” Once the bleeding has stopped, he says to apply a petroleum ointment like Aquaphor to the cut and then cover it with a bandaid. Keep doing that every day till the scab falls off. Tinier cuts don’t need to be covered, but should be kept clean. And of course, “if the bleeding doesn’t stop, seek medical attention,” he says.

How to Manscape Your Chest

1. Depending on how long your chest hair is, you may want to trim it down first. Using a clipper with adjustable lengths (either built-in or with guards), choose a length that is slightly longer than you think you’d want. You can always cut it shorter later.

2. Apply baby powder to your chest to help soak up excess moisture and plump up hairs to make them easier to cut.

3. Use the trimmer to trim down the length of your chest hair. Once you’re done, check to see if you should use another length guard to go a little shorter. If you’re going to shave completely, you’ll want hair long enough to shave but not too long that it easily gets caught in the razor (think a couple days worth of beard growth max). If you’re happy with the length, then you’re done.

4. If you’re going to shave completely, hop in the shower to wash off the hair trimmings and baby powder. The hot water will also help soften up your chest hairs before shaving.

5. Once you’re dry, apply a pre-shave oil and a shaving cream to your chest.

6. Using a razor (like the Schick ST2 Sensitive Skin Razors), begin shaving with short, slow strokes starting from the outside of your chest and working your way in. Chest hair grows in a variety of directions, so you may need to go over the same areas several times to make sure you shave it all. Make sure to rinse the razor frequently to prevent it from clogging.

7. Reapply shaving cream as needed to make sure your skin is protected.

8. When you’re shaving around the nipples, never go over them with the razor (ouch). Instead, delicately work around the area making sure to stretch the skin for better coverage instead of going over the nipple itself.

9. Once you’ve shaved completely, hop back in the shower to wash everything off.

10. Finish up with a moisturizer like Fur Ingrown Concentrate which helps moisturize skin and also prevent ingrown hairs.

How to Manscape Your Pubic Hair

1. First and foremost, make sure you have ample time and are not rushed. This is not something you want to speed through!

2. Position yourself in front of a mirror with good lighting to make sure you have good visibility for all the crevices.

3. Get out your trimmer and choose your length. If you’re going to continue on to fully shave your pubic hair, choose a length that is long enough to shave but not too long (think a couple of days of stubble). If you’re just trimming, start with a longer length then you think you’ll ultimately want. You can always cut it shorter.

4. Apply baby powder on your pubic area while it’s dry to help soak up extra moisture and plump up the hairs.

5. Using short, gentle strokes, use the trimmer to cut the hair. Pubic hair grows in a variety of directions so you’ll want to go slow and possibly go over the same areas a few times. For your scrotum and shaft, go extra slow and stretch the skin to flatten it and make easier to trim. If you’re trimming your butt, crack and perineum, you may want to place a hand mirror on the floor to help see where you’re trimming. You can also place one leg on a tub or toilet to make the area easier to see.

6. If you’re happy with the trim job, then you’re done! Hop in the shower to wash off.

7. If you’re going to shave completely, once you’re out of the shower, apply a pre-shave oil and shaving cream to the areas you’re going to shave. The key here is to not be stingy with the cream.

8. When you’re taking a razor to your nether regions, you’ll want to be extra careful. Shave with the grain of the hair in short, slow strokes. Do not, we repeat, do not rush. You’ll want to use the same stretching technique on your scrotum and shaft as you did while trimming and the mirror is ideal if you’re taking the razor around back.

9. Make sure to rinse the razor frequently to avoid clogs and re-apply shaving cream as needed.

10. Once you’re done, hop back in the shower to rinse everything away.

11. Apply a moisturizer or body oil to the area to help keep it protected. You may also want to apply a moisturizer or anti-chafe product regularly (like at least once a day) to help cut down on friction which can cause irritation on shaved skin, especially below the belt.

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How to Manscape Other Areas

Generally, the same rules apply to trimming and shaving other areas as listed above for your chest. The one caveat is that if you’re shaving your back, which is almost impossible to do by yourself, you’ll likely need someone to help you.

Garrett Munce

Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming. He’s written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.

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