Body hair is a common colloquial term for the
terminal hair on the human body developing during and after puberty in contrast to the head hair and the less visible
vellus hair. A medical term for it is
androgenic hair since its growth depends primarily on the level of androgens (male hormones) containing within the individual human organism. Due to a normally higher level of androgens men tend to have visibly more androgenic hair than women so that this type of hair can be seen as a sign for sexual dimorphism and therefore a secondary sex characteristic.
Growth and DevelopmentThe appearance of androgenic hair is caused by the rising level of androgens due to puberty that causes a transformation process of vellus hair into terminal hair on several parts of the human body. The hair follicles respond to androgens, primarily testosterone and its derivatives. The rate of hair growth and the weight of the hairs increase. Different areas respond with different sensitivities. As testosterone levels increase, the sequence of appearance of androgenic hair reflects the gradations of androgen sensitivity. The pubic area is most sensitive, and heavier hair usually grows there first in response to androgens.
Areas on the human body that develop terminal hair growth due to rising androgens in both sexes, men and women, are the axillary hair (underarm) and the pubic hair. In contrast to that, normally only men grow androgenic hair in other areas. There is a sexual dimorphism in the amount and distribution of androgenic hair, with males having more terminal hair (particularly facial hair, chest hair, abdominal hair and leg and arm hair) and females having more vellus hair, which is less visible. The genetic disposition determines the sex-dependent and individual rising of androgens and therefore the development of androgenic hair.
Retrieved from "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgenic_hair"
Hair RemovalHair removal describes any method of removing hair, especially from the human body, and generally fall into two categories:
Depilation is a generic term for hair removal which affects the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving. Another popular option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking the disulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength, making the hair disintegrate.
Epilation is removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin. Some individuals may use waxing, sugaring, epilation devices, lasers, intense pulsed light or electrolysis. Hair is also sometimes removed by plucking.
Body Waxing-Men.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,576.0.htmlFor more information on Hair Removal Methods see Susan's Wiki at
https://www.susans.org/wiki/DepilationShavingShaving is the practice of removing body hair using a razor.
Shaving is a common method of depilation, and is most commonly used by men to remove their facial hair and sometimes chest hair, and by women to remove their leg hair, underarm hair, pubic hair, or other bodily hair. Women and men may also shave the hair off of the top of their heads, or at least parts of it. Shaved heads can be considered as a form of haircut.
Shaving MethodsShaving can now be done with an electric razor or a manual razor. If a non-electric razor is used, some lathering agent such as soap or a special shaving cream, gel, or foam is normally applied to the area to be shaved first, to avoid a painful razor burn. Lathering agents lubricate the area to be shaved, moisturize the skin, and lift the hairs.
Manual razors are available in many different styles: disposable, disposable cartridge, straight razor, and safety. Some forms of women's razors have no blade at all, and use chemicals to break down and remove the hairs.
Shaving without the aid of shaving gel, soap, or cream is known as dry shaving. Electric razors are typically used without external shaving aids, and were originally called dry shavers, however modern electric razors now lubricate the skin slightly.
The removal of a full beard often requires the use of an electric (or beard) trimmer to reduce the mass of hair, and simplify the process.
For More information on How-to and about Shaving see Susan's Wiki at
https://www.susans.org/wiki/ShavingAlso for much information from Transsexual: Hair Removal section (some of the posts bellow come from here) see
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,81.0.htmlMelissa's Hiding Facial Hair.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,5478.0.htmlCindi's Experience.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,6907.0.htmlFace gets irritated when shaving.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,8077.0.htmlGetting red rashes on my legs when shaving.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,9222.0.htmlDeveloping red bumps.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,262.0.htmlWays to lessen arm hair?
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,8746.0.htmlPermanent facial hair removal.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,8608.0.htmlHRT affect on facial hair growth (decrease).
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,9169.0.htmlDee's Body hair removal.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,8526.0.htmlIf Shaving isnt working best.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,980.0.htmlSusan Member's Recommendations: Electric Shavers.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,7935.0.htmlQuatro titanium vs Mach 3.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,6414.0.htmlEpilator.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,674.0.htmlSusan's Wiki: Epilation Devices.
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Epilation_deviceArms, chest, and rear hair removal.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,812.0.htmlProblems with Veet.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,498.0.htmlNews article on Razor Light.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,9238.0.htmlPoll: Do you shave your legs?
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,8533.0.htmlPlucking Hair. Probably the single best method to take care of small numbers of stray facial hairs is by plucking them with a pair of tweezers. It is a great method of maintaining your eyebrows, plucking the odd hair that grows in between the brows, and those hairs that grow between the brow and the eye lid. See Susan's Wikipedia for more on Plucking
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Hair_pluckingStep-by-step Eyebrow shaping. (this article has ok pictures and instructions)
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=MAKEUP&ID=44How to have perfectly shaped brows.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2986.0.htmlHelp...I have thick eyebrows.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,7867.0.htmlEyebrow Concealing.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,1696.0.htmlCosmetic and Permanent EyebrowsI need thicker eyebrows, they are too thin.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,6522.0.htmlUsing Eye area makeup, such as eyebrow pencil (scroll down to Eyebrow area for a few more bits of info, and to see the big picture with other makeup).
https://www.susans.org/wiki/CosmeticsPermanent Makeup: Eyebrows (Gallery).
http://www.permanentmakeupbyceles.com/eyebrows/ and
http://www.apermanentcosmeticcenter.com/index.html#galleryFacial Hair: (This is copy pasted from various sites. 2 links at bottom link to two posts I found in FTM)
The extent to which some women are obsessed with the hair on their heads is nothing when compared to the level of obsession some men have with their facial hair. While generally speaking, most women prefer a clean-shaven man, many women (and many more men) find facial hair to be very attractive. And the up-and-coming generation of young men (those in their late teens and early twenties) seem to have founded a renewed interest growing and grooming unique facial hair designs.
Male pogonotrophy (the growing of facial hair; beardedness) is often culturally associated with wisdom and virility. Many men style their facial hair into beards, moustaches, goatees or sideburns. However, many others completely shave their facial hair. A man's facial hair, especially short hairs that were missed in shaving, is often referred to as whiskers, although only certain nonhuman mammals have true sensory whiskers.
Styles come and go, of course, but with facial hair the same looks have remained popular, albeit with some slight adjustments. It seems that actual hairstyles are serving as the real centerpiece of a person's look, but that can change depending on how much effort you put into changing your facial hair.
A few days' growth:This is the classic, no-nonsense facial hair style. If you prefer having a more rugged look and are tired of walking around clean-shaven, then try growing out your facial hair for a few days. If you feel like your hair is getting too out of control and would rather clean up your look, you can use a trimmer or clipper to tame the region by establishing the contours around the cheekbones, mouth and chin.
The Depp detour:You might get annoyed with Johnny Depp's bohemian look and method acting technique, but you have to admit that he boasts his own style -- and that's pretty admirable. In addition to his shaggy hair and mismatched clothing, Depp's quasi-goatee has become part of his trademark. Although simple goatees are out, a thin mustache along with a small patch of hair underneath the bottom lip and another patch of hair on the chin (none of which are attached) can help add some edge to your style. This can work with or without a handlebar-like mustache.
(these two styles reposted from
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/139_fashion_men.html)
au naturel:Having a clean-shaven face never goes out of style. This is the cleanest looking style of facial hair you can have -- no facial hair. While it may be annoying to always maintain your clean shave, this style makes for a preppy, classy, fresh look. Not only does it take a few years off of a man's perceived age (which may not be the preferred style for those who look young to begin with), but his girlfriend will love the fact that she can cuddle up with him and kiss him without feeling like she's cuddling up to a porcupine.
boldly bearded: Here's the facial hairstyle at the extreme opposite of the clean shave: the full beard. Many men can pull this one off, but don't misunderstand me; I'm not suggesting that you keep a beard that would make you the envy of Biblical characters. Keep your beard trimmed and neat by using clippers or an electric razor. Just because you don't have the daily task of maintaining a cleanly shaven face, it does not mean you can neglect caring and tending for your beard. You can have fun with a beard by donning a thin beard with a goatee and a thin moustache, by shaving off the top part of the beard and leaving only the bottom part.
Goatee:Now for the chin whiskers: the goatee. This is another facial hairstyle that must be maintained, and may be one of the more high maintenance styles. Make sure that the goatee remains neat and trimmed, and avoid imitating the father of all goatees -- the goat himself. The style may be named after the farm animal, but that doesn't mean you should also don a triangular shaped goatee on your chin -- a definite fashion faux pas.
(Last 3 styles reposted from
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends/16_fashion_men.html/)
The Chin Curtain: This is a style of facial hair that is often seen in the media whenever video footage of America's Amish community is shown. The style is marked by facial hair grown only along the lower portion of the face at the chin and following the jaw line. While many Amish men still wear traditional chin curtains, modern variants are seen that are trimmed into ultra thin lines and even patterns along the jaw.
The Soul Patch (or Small Beard): The Soul Patch is most readily identified as a style popular among the beatniks and jazz artists of the 50s and 60s. In earlier periods, the soul patch was called a 'small beard' for obvious reasons. It is characterized by its confinement to the area just below the lower lip. It has been seen trimmed short, or grown long and groomed into varied shapes. Modern versions are often trimmed short and narrow.
The Handlebar Moustache: This is one of only two moustache styles chosen to include here. Moustaches as a whole are simply variations on a theme, styled and trimmed full or thin. The handlebar moustache is characterized by the fact that it must be worn long enough to curl the ends of the moustache upward. This is usually achieved and maintained through the use of specialized styling wax. Modern moustache styles tend to be close-trimmed and worn thin.
(last 3 styles are reposted from
http://www.hairfinder.com/hairstyling/mensfacialhair.htm)
FTMs with Facial Hair at Susan's.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,6281.0.htmlHow much does facial hair matter.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,3816.0.htmlfor more information on Beards here is some further resources:
** Great Site** Hudson's FTM: facial hair grooming guide (lots of pics and info).
http://www.ftmguide.org/facialhair.html#beardAll about Beards.
http://www.beards.org/The Beard Community.
http://beardcommunity.com/This posts is a start I will modify it more the next few days.