Pulling, plucking, shaving and waxing - it’s safe to say women go to great lengths to stay smooth and hair-free.
But at a time when men everywhere are taking more of an interest in their appearance, it seems they too are worrying about how best to get rid of their unwanted hair.
One London clinic, in fact, has reported that the number of men undergoing laser hair removal rose by 86 per cent between 2012 and 2013.
The Private Clinic on Harley Street claims male patient numbers are soaring, with men now making up 17 per cent of all laser hair removal patients.
Excessive hair growth in men is often caused by excessive levels of testosterone.
But this is not always the case as genetics, age and ethnicity can also all play a part.
And while for some women a hairy chest is a sign of a ‘real’ man, today it seems more and more women prefer their men’s chests to look silky smooth.
Louis Kearton, a 21-year-old customer services advisor, suffered with excessive hair on his arms, back, chest and shoulders from the age of 12.
He said: ‘I was bullied as a child because of the hair and life as a teenager certainly wasn’t easy.
‘As I grew up I wasn’t able to do things other guys my age did, like swimming or going to the gym. I felt trapped in my own clothes and I absolutely hated taking my top off.
‘The problem also put my dating life and my sex life on hold. It stopped me from wanting to go out and find someone and I lacked confidence.
‘I didn’t want to talk to anyone about the problem though and I just went into my own little world and closed myself off. I didn’t feel attractive and I certainly didn’t think anyone else would find me attractive.
‘As much as I waxed and shaved my chest, it didn’t seem to make any difference -the hair would actually just grow back ten times worse.’
Eventually, he decided to undergo hair removal treatment.
The treatment involved targeting the hairs with pulses of heat from a laser.
The heat is attracted to the pigmentation in the hair follicle, damaging it until the hair stops growing.
Over time, and after a series of sessions of laser hair removal, hair growth will significantly slow or even stop altogether.
After a series of eight sessions, Mr Kearton’s hair removal procedures had removed the unwanted hair.
‘Now I can look in the mirror and feel proud of myself,’ he said. ‘I can wear what I want for the first time now and I’m not scared of taking my top off at all. I finally feel like a normal 21-year-old.’
Rachel Nugent, senior laser practitioner at The Private Clinic, said: ‘The number of male patients we treat has grown steadily over the years.
‘Men are now displaying a far more open attitude towards undergoing beauty treatments and cosmetic procedures, which they know will improve the way they look.
‘Now, not only is it more important than ever for men to look their best, but it is also important for them to feel good about themselves.
‘Very often, having a lot of hair on the body is something that gets in the way of men feeling at their most attractive or confident. Because of this, laser hair removal is now a popular treatment among men from their early twenties through their fifties.’
She added: ‘Today it is completely acceptable for men to invest in such treatments in order to improve their appearance and ultimately increase their levels of self-confidence.’
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