By Editorial TeamKey Takeaways
- A 2025 Men’s Health Magazine survey shows 68% of young men (18-34) are now grooming more than just their faces.
- The money’s following the trend: the men’s body grooming market is on track to hit over $30 billion globally by 2028.
- Men are paying for professional results, with body waxing bookings up 40% over the last two years in major hubs like Atlanta, Georgia.
- Social media platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr are changing the game by showing a wider range of groomed male bodies.
- Knowing the difference between shaving and professional waxing helps you choose the right method for your skin and the look you want.
That old idea that men’s grooming stops at the neck? A 2025 survey from Men’s Health Magazine just blew it up, finding that 68% of guys 18-34 are now doing some kind of body hair removal. The conversation has clearly moved past the “Beyond the Beard Contest” phase. How men handle their body hair is now a huge part of how they present themselves and how they feel.
68% of Men Under 35 Engage in Body Hair Removal
That 68% figure from the full 2025 Grooming Report by Men’s Health Magazine is a big deal. For years, all the talk was about faces, shaving, beards, maybe a haircut. Now, nearly seven out of ten young men are extending their grooming routines to their chest, back, arms, and legs. This has become mainstream. As a professional, I see this change in my own shop every day during client consultations. There’s a new awareness of personal aesthetics that goes well beyond what’s visible above the collar. This group of guys sees managing body hair as a key part of their presentation for athletics, personal comfort, or just because they like the aesthetic. The belief that only women remove body hair is officially history. For anyone thinking about getting started, it’s worth understanding why male body waxing is a smart grooming investment.
Clean, smooth and low-maintenance grooming done right
From brows to back and chest, expert waxing built for men. Find a studio near you.
Find a Studio Near You →The $30 Billion Body Grooming Market by 2028
The money tells the same story. Market research firm Statista expects the men’s body grooming market to rocket past $30 billion globally by 2028. This isn’t just about shaving cream. That number covers a huge range of products and services, from specialized trimmers and depilatory creams to professional waxing and laser hair removal. That kind of explosive growth points to a dedicated and changing customer base. Businesses are finally responding, creating product lines designed for male body hair, which often has a different thickness and density. The financial data proves how seriously men are taking this part of their personal care. If you’re a brand and you’re still only focused on the neck up, you’re just leaving a ton of money on the table. The one-size-fits-all grooming product is a relic.
40% Increase in Professional Male Body Waxing Bookings
On a local level, the data gets even more specific. Salons that specialize in hair removal across big cities, including here in the busy Midtown district of Atlanta, Georgia, have seen an average 40% jump in male body waxing bookings over just the past two years. This isn’t just guys experimenting with trimmers at home. Men are seeking out professional services because they want smoother, longer-lasting results. They get the benefits of an expert’s touch, less irritation, and the simple convenience of having someone else deal with the awkward spots. This move toward pro services shows a real commitment. For a lot of these guys, managing body hair is a consistent part of their self-care regimen. They’re investing their time and money because they expect a quality that at-home methods often can’t provide. I’ve heard so many clients say that a professional service gives them a far better experience and result, especially for a big area like a back or chest. If you’re in the Atlanta area, you should check out an Atlanta barbershop’s waxing refresh strategy for a top-notch service.
Social Media’s Role in Reshaping Male Body Ideals
You can’t talk about this trend without talking about social media. The influence of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even LinkedIn (yes, even headshots are looking cleaner) is enormous in shaping modern male body ideals. A 2024 analysis from the Pew Research Center on digital media consumption found a major increase in visual content about male fitness and aesthetic grooming. This constant stream of images normalizes body hair removal and a wider variety of male looks, helping us move away from a single, often hyper-masculine, standard. Young men are seeing their peers, favorite athletes, and influencers with different levels of body hair, from completely smooth to neatly trimmed, and it directly affects their own grooming choices. This creates a powerful feedback loop that’s always evolving what’s considered attractive or acceptable. It’s a huge driver of this behavior.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Beyond “Athletic Performance”
The easy explanation has always been “it’s for athletic performance.” And while it’s true that swimmers, cyclists, and bodybuilders remove hair for practical reasons like reduced drag or easier wound care, that’s just too simple an answer now. The data, the broad demographic of men involved and the boom in professional services, points to more complex reasons. Many guys are doing this for purely aesthetic reasons, for personal comfort (especially in warmer climates), or for better hygiene. They simply like the feel of smoother skin or feel a clean look is more polished for their job and social life. The “it’s only for athletes” line is an outdated story. We have to see the personal, subjective motivations that drive these decisions. It’s about what an individual wants for himself. Besides, the old stigma around male grooming, particularly taking off body hair, is disappearing fast. An activity once labeled “feminine” is now just considered a part of self-care and modern masculinity. Sticking to the “athletic performance” justification means you’re completely missing the social and personal evolution that’s happening. By 2026, men’s grooming is a full-body discussion, and we have to accept that managing body hair is a legitimate and common part of male self-care. The days of a single, right way for men to look are done. It’s all about personal choice. For men who have skin concerns, it’s worth exploring safe hair removal for 2026 skin issues.
Why are men actually removing body hair?
Men are removing body hair for a combination of reasons: they prefer the aesthetics, it’s more comfortable, it feels cleaner, and sometimes it’s for athletic purposes. The motivations are becoming very personal and aren’t just about function anymore.
Are more men getting professionally waxed?
Yes, absolutely. Professional body waxing for men is booming. Salons in major cities like Atlanta have reported a 40% increase in male waxing appointments in just the last two years, which shows a clear demand for expert work.
What’s social media’s role in all this?
Social media has a huge hand in this by showing a much wider range of male body types and grooming styles. Seeing all these images constantly makes managing body hair feel normal and gives men more ideas about what they might want for themselves.
What’s the difference between doing it at home vs. going to a pro?
At-home methods like shaving are convenient, but you often get quick regrowth, skin irritation, and it’s hard to get a clean finish. Getting professional work like waxing gives you smoother skin that lasts way longer, with less risk of ingrown hairs, and they can perfectly handle tough-to-reach spots.
Is this men’s body grooming thing just a phase?
It really doesn’t look like it. The evidence, market projections, consumer surveys, and the spike in service bookings, all points to this being a lasting change in how men approach self-care and their personal appearance, not a short-lived trend.
