How to Get Rid of a Hairy Back

If you're looking to reduce your bushy back rug in a safe manner, look no further

Should I shave my back?

This is one of those questions for which there really is no right or wrong answer. Do I keep my hairy back or shall I brave the shave and get rid of that extra furry coat? Let’s start by saying that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a hairy back. It’s entirely natural and normal.

But why are more men starting to transition to the bald back club? Well, hairy arms and chests are generally regarded as more attractive than excessive back hair. It’s also the case that lots of men find having a hairy back quite uncomfortable, especially when out and about in hot weather or whilst exercising. Getting rid of the back hair might just be for the best if you wish to avoid discomfort.

So if you want to turn your back on your hairy back, here’s everything that you’ll need to know about hairy backs and how to shave your back hair.

Causes of a hairy back

Genetics is the most common cause of a hairy back in men. Certain genes in men make them more likely to be susceptible to the effects of testosterone, which encourages the growth of body hair. This is also why most men grow facial hair more easily than most women.

There’s another reason as to why you might have a hairy back. Hypertrichosis is a disorder which causes extreme hair growth all over the body - but try not to worry about this one too much, as it is very rare. If you think that you might have hypertrichosis, however, it's best to consult your doctor for further advice.

Check out our section which is focused on answering all of your body hair questions here: The Truth About Male Body Hair.

6 tips on how to shave your back

So let’s dive into our step-by-step guide on how to shave your back hair in a safe, pain-free manner. Bear in mind that this is often far from straightforward, and you may find that asking somebody - either a partner, friend or a paid professional - to do this for you is much easier.

If you do decide to go it alone, we recommend that you use a razor with a handle that is designed to reach your back, or a standard razor with a razor extender attached:

Start by showering: it’s important that you soften your back hair, as it tends to be very wiry
Use a mirror. Find a large, clean mirror that allows you to view the entire area that you are shaving. If you are shaving in an enclosed space like the shower, you may find that using a hand-held mirror is easiest; this should also enable you to focus on specific sections at a time.
Apply Shaving Gel to your back area, and massage vigorously; this will make it easier for you to remove your back hair in a thorough, painless fashion. Use our Sensitive Shaving Gel if you feel that your skin is a little on the sensitive side.
Shave small sections of your back, starting with the areas that require the least stretching of your arms - it makes the most sense to tackle the areas that are easiest to access first, before moving onto the harder-to-reach areas once you start feeling a little more confident. Go slowly and gently, and aim to shave with the grain of your hair in order to avoid razor bumps.
Rinse and dry: rinse your back thoroughly to ensure that you remove any remaining shaving gel and pat yourself dry with a towel
Moisturise your back with Post-Shave Balm - this will soothe and hydrate your skin

Back Hair Removal: the alternative methods

You may decide that you’d like to explore alternative means of removing the hair from your back. Let’s take a look at methods that obviate the need for a razor or shaver.

Waxing

If you opt for this route, we recommend that you go to a salon and see a professional
This method is not as excruciatingly painful as you might anticipate, but bear in mind that it is far from pain-free!

Hair Removal Creams

Depilatory creams, or hair removal creams, are available without a prescription and work by dissolving the hair shaft
This is an easy, inexpensive option; be careful, however, not to leave the cream on your skin for too long, as doing so could burn your skin

Laser Hair Removal

This procedure permanently removes the hair from your back
Whilst this is the most expensive of the back hair removal methods out there, it is also an effective long-term solution

Where else to shave on my body?

Back in the olden days, men were renowned for their hairy bodies and face. Kudos to you if you decide that you still want to go for the rugged look!

Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about the basics of male grooming, you may find that our expert advice helps you suss out the parts of your body that you might want to start shaving.