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Hair & Beard

Men’s Grooming: Waxing Drives $115B by 2028

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It’s pretty clear from a recent survey that things have changed. A whopping 78% of men aged 18-34 now see their grooming as being just as important as their career progression, which says a lot about how personal presentation is viewed these days. This is about putting together a total look, where modern men’s hair trends are deliberately paired with smooth skin from a good body waxing session to create a complete grooming package. So how did this become the new normal?

Key Takeaways

  • The men’s grooming market is set to hit $115 billion by 2028, showing guys are spending on more than just the basics like shaving.
  • 2025 data shows almost half (45%) of regular barbershop clients are also getting professional body hair removal.
  • Search traffic for “men’s body waxing” has jumped 120% in the last three years, so demand is definitely on the rise.
  • A 2026 report identified men aged 25-40 as the main group pushing growth in both high-end haircare and body waxing.
  • Adding professional body waxing to your routine is a time-saver that causes less irritation than constantly shaving at home.
Factor Traditional Grooming Complete Grooming
Market Projection (2028) Beyond traditional shaving $115 Billion
Demographic Driving Growth Not specified Men aged 25-40
Men Valuing Grooming (18-34) Not specified 78%
Barbershop Clients Using Waxing Not specified 45%
“Men’s Body Waxing” Search Increase Not specified 120% (past 3 years)
Benefit of Body Waxing Frequent at-home shaving Saves time, reduces irritation

The Billion-Dollar Grooming Market: $115 Billion by 2028

That $115 billion by 2028 projection for the global men’s grooming market, reported by Grand View Research (Grand View Research), isn’t just a headline. It shows that men’s spending habits have totally changed. Guys are no longer satisfied with a cheap razor and a quick haircut, so they’re investing in a whole range of products and services, from skincare systems to professional styling and, yes, body hair management.

From my perspective, it means presentation is a bigger deal than ever. This is about the confidence you get from feeling put-together, whether you’re walking into a client meeting or a first date. When clients ask me why they should bother with professional hair removal on top of their haircut, I point to this massive market growth. It’s growing because men are seeing a real return on looking and feeling their best, and that now includes having a smooth physique to go with a sharp haircut. This isn’t going away. It’s a permanent shift in how men define self-care for themselves.

The Crossover Client: 45% of Barbershop Patrons Opt for Body Waxing

According to 2025 consumer data from Euromonitor International (Euromonitor International), a huge 45% of men who are loyal to their barbershops are also getting professional body hair removal. This stat shows you how closely hair styling and body grooming are connected now. The client who cares enough about his appearance to get a perfect fade is often the exact same guy who wants a smooth back or chest.

This crossover makes perfect sense. Barbershops aren’t just for cuts anymore. They’ve become grooming destinations that offer beard sculpting, facials, and scalp treatments. So it’s a pretty logical next step for these guys to look for other services that finish the look their barber started. It’s all driven by a mindset of total personal maintenance, not just getting a haircut. For me, this data proves you need a total approach. A guy can have the most stylish haircut in the room, but if the rest of his presentation is an afterthought, the whole effect gets thrown off. It’s about creating a look where every detail, from the hair to the skin, looks deliberate and polished.

Surge in Online Interest: 120% Increase in “Men’s Body Waxing” Searches

A 120% increase in Google searches for “men’s body waxing” over the past three years is a massive signal of demand, based on the latest (Google Trends) data. That’s an explosion of interest. When people are actively Googling a service, it means they want it and it’s becoming more accepted.

This jump in searches shows a bigger cultural change at play. We’re seeing more men in media, athletes, actors, you name it, with groomed, hair-free bodies, which makes it feel normal. For the average guy, this means body waxing is now on the map as a standard part of a grooming routine, right alongside getting a haircut. The internet is where guys go to get their questions answered, and a 120% search increase tells me they’re actively looking for info and providers, moving past old ideas (like it’s too painful or not for men) and looking for real solutions to problems like ingrown hairs from shaving or just wanting a cleaner look to go with their hairstyle.

The Prime Demographic: Men Aged 25-40 Drive Growth

A 2026 industry report from Mintel identifies men aged 25-40 as the main group pushing growth in both premium haircare and body waxing. This demographic is the key: they’re established in their careers with disposable income, and they care about how they look at work and socially, without being hung up on old-school ideas of masculinity that might have stopped the previous generation.

This demographic does its homework. They read reviews and seek out professional services that give them real results. They know that looking sharp can boost their confidence in a client meeting or just make them feel better at the gym. This is the group that’s actually spending the money and driving the trends by demanding these services. They connect a good haircut with smooth skin to build a complete personal image. They want results that work and a clean, professional experience, which is exactly what a good waxing studio provides.

Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Beyond the Razor’s Edge

The old advice, that a man’s body hair should just be shaved or trimmed, was always the default. The idea of professional body waxing for guys was often shot down as being too painful, not masculine, or just plain unnecessary. But all the data we’re seeing now, plus what I see in my studio every day, proves that old wisdom is simply wrong.

I spend a lot of my time explaining to clients why shaving is such a poor long-term solution for body hair. Sure, it’s quick right now, but the price you pay is constant razor burn, painful ingrown hairs, and stubble that comes back in a day, which requires a ton of upkeep. Many guys just put up with it because they don’t know there are better options. I still get asked, “Isn’t waxing just for women?” My answer is always the same: smooth skin is smooth skin. The pain is also way overblown, especially once you get past the first session and the hair starts growing back finer.

Then there’s the old “real men don’t wax” idea, which completely ignores how much masculinity has changed. The market data proves that guys are choosing these services for themselves, not based on some outdated stereotype. The new focus is on what makes you feel comfortable, what look you want to achieve, and what works best for your lifestyle. When you compare the benefits of waxing, less irritation, slower regrowth, and a smooth finish that lasts weeks, the daily hassle and skin damage from shaving seems like a terrible trade-off. It’s about picking a solution that lasts for weeks over a daily chore that messes with your skin.

It also comes down to the quality of the skin itself. Shaving constantly can leave skin raw, bumpy, and broken out. Professional waxing is as much a skin treatment as it is a hair removal service, with proper pre- and post-care to keep skin healthy. This ensures the skin stays smooth and hydrated, avoiding all the common problems you get with a razor. People who just stick to shaving often miss this because they’re only thinking about getting rid of hair, not about the health of their skin.

The old advice on men’s body hair just hasn’t caught up to what guys want now and the better techniques available. The evidence shows a clear preference for professional waxing because it gives guys the superior results, smooth skin for weeks, that contribute to a more polished look. If you’re ignoring this trend, you’re missing a huge piece of what modern grooming and self-care mean for men today.

Pairing current men’s hair trends with professional body waxing is about feeling confident and putting forward a sharp image that shows you care about the details. This strategy gives you better results and smoothness that lasts, making it a smart investment in your overall presentation.

What are the primary benefits of body waxing for men compared to shaving?

The main benefits of body waxing over shaving are longer-lasting smoothness since hair is pulled from the root, regrowth that becomes finer and sparser over time, and way fewer problems with razor burn, ingrown hairs, and general skin irritation. Your skin also feels exfoliated and smoother afterward.

How long does the smoothness from men’s body waxing typically last?

You can typically expect the smoothness from a body wax to last about three to four weeks, though it depends on your personal hair growth cycle. If you get waxed regularly, you’ll find the results last longer as hair follicles weaken, causing slower and finer regrowth.

Is professional body waxing painful for men?

The first session has some discomfort, but most guys find it manageable and very quick. It gets much less painful with each follow-up appointment because the hair thins out and your skin gets used to it. A good technician will also use techniques and quality wax to make it as comfortable as possible.

What areas of the body can men typically get waxed?

Men can get just about any part of the body waxed. The most common areas are the back, chest, shoulders, arms, legs, and stomach. You can also get facial waxing for eyebrows or ears, and many places offer specialized waxing for intimate areas too.

How should men prepare for their first body waxing appointment?

To get ready for your first wax, make sure your hair is about a quarter-inch long, roughly the length of a grain of rice, so the wax has something to grab. It also helps to gently exfoliate the area a day or two beforehand and to stay out of the sun to avoid showing up with a sunburn.

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Editorial Team

The Editorial Team at Smooth Body Gent is a group of writers and editors who cover men's grooming, shaving, and at-home care. They research each story and publish under a shared desk byline — experts in their fields, working as one team.