Buzz
Discover whether women find a hairy chest appealing and how to enhance your body hair style.
The age-old question: to shave or not to shave? Before grabbing that razor, let us share some interesting statistics! While embracing your body is essential, surveys indicate that chest hair is actually in fashion, and a bit of fur is quite attractive. We're here to answer the question once and for all: Do women appreciate chest hair? Plus, we’ll dive into why it’s appealing, how they feel about other body hair, and what you can do about your own chest hair (or lack thereof).
Key Insights
- Attraction to body hair is subjective, but surveys show that many women are drawn to a moderate amount of chest hair.
- Additionally, research reveals that some women are attracted to both extremes: a very hairy chest or no hair at all.
- While embracing your natural self is important, trimming your chest hair (instead of shaving it) may enhance your appeal to a broader group of women.
How to Proceed
Do women find a hairy chest attractive on men?
Yes, many women are fans of chest hair! Surveys show that 31% of women believe men look more attractive with moderate to thick chest hair, while only 14% think men look better without any chest hair. So, burly guys, you're in luck! And even if you're a smooth guy—14% of women is still quite a large group.
- Importantly, most women seem to prefer a moderate amount of chest hair, as per polls, rather than a completely hairless chest or a thick coat of fur.
- Remember, attraction is subjective. People have different preferences, and there will always be someone who finds you irresistible, no matter your look.
Why Women Are Attracted to (or Not to) Chest Hair
Body hair is often associated with masculinity. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “That’ll put some hair on your chest.” It suggests that something will make you tougher or more manly. Though it's just a figure of speech, it highlights how chest hair is often linked to masculinity (whether we like it or not). And masculinity is a trait that many find attractive.
- It’s also linked to perceived levels of testosterone, which many find appealing.
Body hair trends come and go. Like any other fashion, body hair has its cycles. The hairy chests of icons like Tom Selleck were highly fashionable in the '80s (and even earlier in the '70s). Then the sleek, smooth look dominated in the '90s and '00s. But just like those stylish chest hairs on heartthrobs, trends always circle back, and chest hair could very well be making a comeback once again.
Some women perceive excessive body hair as overly masculine. Research suggests many women prefer a balance of masculinity—not too much, not too little. A surplus of body hair might be viewed as overly masculine, even intimidating. Of course, whether this is fair or realistic is up for debate.
- Some women may also associate chest hair with poor hygiene, but as long as you're showering daily with soap and water and attending to all areas, this shouldn't be a concern.
Women's Views on Other Body Hair
Women are generally not fond of hairy backs. When asked about hairy backs, 64% of women find them unattractive, while the rest are either indifferent or supportive. That said, polls are not definitive, and there are always people who appreciate it.
- Younger individuals (16-24) are more accepting, with only 47% disapproving of hairy backs.
- Interestingly, gay men tend to be more appreciative of body hair, with subcultures dedicated to it. To each their own!
Women seem to be open to men's armpit hair. Polls reveal that 33% of women believe men should keep their armpit hair, while only 13% think men should shave it. Good news for those of us who don’t enjoy the post-shaving prickly feeling.
- A significant 49% of women are indifferent about armpit hair. It’s not a big deal.
Women generally approve of arm and leg hair. 34% of women find leg hair attractive, with only 8% saying it’s unattractive. Interestingly, 53% don’t have a strong opinion either way. Arm hair probably fares similarly, as it's more visible and generally accepted.
Women have mixed opinions about pubic hair. Preferences on pubic hair vary. Surveys show that 41% of women prefer men to trim their pubic hair, 14% prefer men to be completely hairless, and 36% favor a natural look.
Chest Hair Tips and Guidelines
Trim, don’t shave, your chest hair for broader appeal. If you're aiming for a wide range of appeal, most women seem to like moderate amounts of neat chest hair. To achieve this, trim it once a week (in the shower for a smoother finish) with clippers to about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) for a controlled yet natural look.
- Apply a moisturizing cream afterward to keep your skin soft and prevent irritation.
- Matching your chest hair with your facial or other body hair can create a harmonious appearance. If you have a beard or hairy arms, more chest hair might look more balanced.
- Separate your chest hair from your beard by shaving your neck to avoid a continuous hairline from chest to chin, which can make you appear hairier than you actually are.
Embrace your natural body, even if it’s a hairless chest. Take this advice with a grain of salt. If you’re constantly trying to meet an idealized version of what you think a partner wants, you’ll exhaust yourself. The reality is, there’s always someone out there who won’t be able to resist you, whether you're covered in hair or as smooth as a newborn.
- Remember that aside from balancing your testosterone or using hair growth formulas for your scalp (which may not work on other areas), there is currently no proven method to increase body hair growth.
