Armpit Hair Is Trending

Bubblegum5586

Saw this posted on FB from a local radio station. The comments on FB and the article are vastly negative. I shave my armpits and likely will continue to do so but I know sometimes I'll miss a few days (or more) and wont feel self conscious about it. 

I was just surprised at how negative the comments were from both men and women... 

Click here

Then it was linked to another article about the fad of dying your armpit hair... which now that seems like a lot of work! lol Click Here

I had no idea this was even a discussion.. I go to plenty of reggae shows and see hairy pits all the time! Am I out of the loop on this?!

hellohkb

I hope one day I live in a world where society doesn't faint at the sight of female body hair. I applaud the woman who post pictures of their body hair. The backlash and negative comments must not be the easiest thing to deal with. 

randomslove

Yeah, apparently people think it is disgusting if women don't shave-- not just armpits, but everything below the neck. I don't get it. It's body hair. If people don't want to shave, they shouldn't be called disgusting. I don't find men with beards gross and I'm not going to demand men keep their arms down in pictures so I don't have to see their hairy pits. Why doesn't that apply for women?

MollyandD

I saw that article too. Armpit hair is not my thing, but I shave my arms fully anyway. I'm not a fan of body hair on myself. What other people do is their own business. I only start judging the people who don't shower and smell bad. You can go natural and still not smell like onions.

doeydo

I am not so sure it is "trending" so much as some women are embracing their bodies the way they are naturally and encouraging the world to do so as well.  Why are women "supposed" to be hairless and not men?  Women do not need to be hairless from head to toe (except for their head hair, eyebrows, and lashes) in order to be attractive, and being attractive to someone is not the end all be all of a woman.  Also, I have heard shaving was not the norm until men were away at war and the razor companies started marketing towards women.

lovemesomemonster

I don't get why it's even a discussion, what other people do with their bodies is their business, as long as I don't smell you I'm good with it. I will say that when I was working overseas for a month and the weather was cold I didn't shave anything until I got home, nobody was seeing it anyways and FI was in the states. It was amazingly liberating not worrying about it so I can see the appeal! 

novella1186

I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the ladies in the photos had IMMACULATELY manicured eyebrows. No big deal, but to me it was just kind of funny. If you're gonna let your hair grow, let it grow! Let the unibrow come back in lol. 

I mean I get that the armpit thing has become a symbol to some people, but when I don't feel like taking the time or effort to shave (which to me isn't a symbol or taking a stance, it's just me being lazy and doing whatever the hell I want with my own body) I don't shave anything or tweeze anything either.  

southernbelle0915

I cannot imagine getting as heated as some of the people in those comments. I had no idea armpit hair was such a hot button issue.

thisismynickname2

I, for one, think body hair (not peach fuzz) is gross. I can't even pinpoint why. I have a memory from junior high where one girl who developed earlier than the rest of us showed us her armpit hair, and I was repulsed. 

Even now, even though it's perfectly acceptable for men to have it, I don't like seeing it on them either! The sound of DH rubbing his gel deodorant into his underarms skeeves me out.

No idea why. I'm not coming at this from an attractiveness standpoint, standards of beauty, none of that. Just underarm hair is gross to me. If people want to keep theirs, well, I hope they bathe regularly. That's all. 

[Deleted User]

Armpit hair is not my thing. But I'm in the "good for her, not for me," camp. Do what you want, just please don't be smelly. (And that rule applies to ALL people, not just women.)

beachyone15

I've honestly never understood why women are "supposed to" shave their underarms, but men don't. I mean really, it's the same body part! Why is it ok for one sex, but not (generally) for the other?

justsie

I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.

charlottesmom0626

I thought I remember reading somewhere that women didn't actually start shaving their arm pits until one of the World Wars, (I think WWI) because razor sales were dropping (lack of men in America shaving) they turned their advertisements to women and basically convinced women this was a thing. Somehow that took off, and now we have people afraid of armpit hair. 

beachyone15

charlottesmom0626 said:

I thought I remember reading somewhere that women didn't actually start shaving their arm pits until one of the World Wars, (I think WWI) because razor sales were dropping (lack of men in America shaving) they turned their advertisements to women and basically convinced women this was a thing. Somehow that took off, and now we have people afraid of armpit hair. 

Ahh, interesting!

novella1186

charlottesmom0626 said:

I thought I remember reading somewhere that women didn't actually start shaving their arm pits until one of the World Wars, (I think WWI) because razor sales were dropping (lack of men in America shaving) they turned their advertisements to women and basically convinced women this was a thing. Somehow that took off, and now we have people afraid of armpit hair. 

I just read that the shaving armpit trend started in 1915 when sleeveless dresses became a huge trend and an ad in Harper's Bizaare declared that the right way to wear it was with bare armpits, so it became a huge trend from there. Not sure if that's 100% accurate though 

mrsdee15

I personally don't like having excess hair anywhere, but I don't get how it would be any of my business to comment on someone else's choice to keep armpit hair (or other hair).  No one's lifting my arm and exclaiming "OHMYGAWD, IT'S BALD!" so it's really not a big deal to me if they choose not to shave.

MollyandD

novella1186 said:

I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the ladies in the photos had IMMACULATELY manicured eyebrows. No big deal, but to me it was just kind of funny. If you're gonna let your hair grow, let it grow! Let the unibrow come back in lol. 

I mean I get that the armpit thing has become a symbol to some people, but when I don't feel like taking the time or effort to shave (which to me isn't a symbol or taking a stance, it's just me being lazy and doing whatever the hell I want with my own body) I don't shave anything or tweeze anything either.  

I noticed the eyebrows too. One if those girls had gorgeous eyebrows. I wish mine grew in that beautifully, so I could shape them as well as she did. 

ShesSoCold

You'll pry my razor out of my cold dead hands. Looking at those pictures yucked me out. I mean, I guess I can see the point behind it, but I'm not on board. I will continue to wax my ladybits, shave my pits and pluck my stache because I feel better doing it, not for my H or my mom or society or whatever.

PrettyGirlLost

hellohkb said:

I hope one day I live in a world where society doesn't faint at the sight of female body hair. I applaud the woman who post pictures of their body hair. The backlash and negative comments must not be the easiest thing to deal with. 

As another female I think it's gross.  Not faintworthy, just gross.  Same with periods, they are gross.  Natural and a fact of life, sure.  But they are gross. 

Lots of shit in nature is gross.  And just because I think something is gross doesn't mean I'm body shaming, or not empowering women or whatever.

Plus I think shaving helps keep the odor down, even if you use deodorant. 

ETA: And for the record I think mens' hairy pits are gross as well, and I'm not a fan of thick, unkempt beards either.

[Deleted User]

justsie said: I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.
ETA: Boxes at some point lived here


I don't equate hairiness to a lack of cleanliness, but hair does hold onto odor. Think about how your hair smells if you've been around a bonfire, or inside a yummy Mexican restaurant (I'm smelling those fajitas aaaallllll night long unless I get a shower.) So, when I say "just please don't be smelly," what I really mean is, be aware that those flow-y pit hairs are holding onto all that lovely body odor, so when you skip those shower or bath days, extra deodorant might be required.

PrettyGirlLost

abcdevonn said:

justsie said:

I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.

ETA: Boxes at some point lived here

I don't equate hairiness to a lack of cleanliness, but hair does hold onto odor. Think about how your hair smells if you've been around a bonfire, or inside a yummy Mexican restaurant (I'm smelling those fajitas aaaallllll night long unless I get a shower.) So, when I say "just please don't be smelly," what I really mean is, be aware that those flow-y pit hairs are holding onto all that lovely body odor, so when you skip those shower or bath days, extra deodorant might be required. ******STINKING BOXES*******

This.

I had a friend who didn't shave her armpits or bathe regularly or use deodorant.  I loved her to death, but she smelled of BO, and no amount of patchouli could hide it.  Deodorant would have solved a lot of the "issue" without her even having to shave her armpits.

Ever been on a bus on a hot day or in the gym with a guy who's wearing a tank top?  Hairy pits, right?  Stinky, hairy, pits.

justsie

PrettyGirlLost said:

abcdevonn said:

justsie said:

I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.

ETA: Boxes at some point lived here

I don't equate hairiness to a lack of cleanliness, but hair does hold onto odor. Think about how your hair smells if you've been around a bonfire, or inside a yummy Mexican restaurant (I'm smelling those fajitas aaaallllll night long unless I get a shower.) So, when I say "just please don't be smelly," what I really mean is, be aware that those flow-y pit hairs are holding onto all that lovely body odor, so when you skip those shower or bath days, extra deodorant might be required.

******STINKING BOXES*******

This.

I had a friend who didn't shave her armpits or bathe regularly or use deodorant.  I loved her to death, but she smelled of BO, and no amount of patchouli could hide it.  Deodorant would have solved a lot of the "issue" without her even having to shave her armpits.

Ever been on a bus on a hot day or in the gym with a guy who's wearing a tank top?  Hairy pits, right?  Stinky, hairy, pits.
So then this sounds like a deodorant/bathing issue. Not one relating to longer armpit hair.

ShesSoCold

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

[Deleted User]

justsie said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

abcdevonn said:

justsie said:

I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.

ETA: Boxes at some point lived here

I don't equate hairiness to a lack of cleanliness, but hair does hold onto odor. Think about how your hair smells if you've been around a bonfire, or inside a yummy Mexican restaurant (I'm smelling those fajitas aaaallllll night long unless I get a shower.) So, when I say "just please don't be smelly," what I really mean is, be aware that those flow-y pit hairs are holding onto all that lovely body odor, so when you skip those shower or bath days, extra deodorant might be required.

******STINKING BOXES*******

This.

I had a friend who didn't shave her armpits or bathe regularly or use deodorant.  I loved her to death, but she smelled of BO, and no amount of patchouli could hide it.  Deodorant would have solved a lot of the "issue" without her even having to shave her armpits.

Ever been on a bus on a hot day or in the gym with a guy who's wearing a tank top?  Hairy pits, right?  Stinky, hairy, pits.

So then this sounds like a deodorant/bathing issue. Not one relating to longer armpit hair. ETF: Boxes again

Correct, except that right now, if I don't bathe for three days, I can just swipe on some deo like usual and be on my merry way. If I were to grow out my armpit hair, that might no longer be enough because more hair means more trapped odor. Not a big deal, but something to be conscious of if you go from shaving to not shaving. The same hygiene routine you used to do might no longer suffice. Again, not a problem, but a reality. I really couldn't care less if women stopped shaving their armpits. Armpits just are a source of body odor and their odorous powers should be respected.

thisismynickname2

ShesSoCold said:

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

LOL I'm the same way. DH comes home from the gym or a run, is all red-faced and sweaty, and still smells like soap. I don't know how he does it. 

lovemesomemonster

thisismynickname said:

ShesSoCold said:

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

LOL I'm the same way. DH comes home from the gym or a run, is all red-faced and sweaty, and still smells like soap. I don't know how he does it. 

My FI is the same way, I have no idea how he does it and when I work out I come home sweating and smelling like a hot mess. 

PrettyGirlLost

justsie said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

abcdevonn said:

justsie said:

I'm also in the "do you" camp. I think its silly to equate people with hairy armpits as people who also might not bathe regularly as well. I just don't get why hair=unclean.

ETA: Boxes at some point lived here

I don't equate hairiness to a lack of cleanliness, but hair does hold onto odor. Think about how your hair smells if you've been around a bonfire, or inside a yummy Mexican restaurant (I'm smelling those fajitas aaaallllll night long unless I get a shower.) So, when I say "just please don't be smelly," what I really mean is, be aware that those flow-y pit hairs are holding onto all that lovely body odor, so when you skip those shower or bath days, extra deodorant might be required.

******STINKING BOXES*******

This.

I had a friend who didn't shave her armpits or bathe regularly or use deodorant.  I loved her to death, but she smelled of BO, and no amount of patchouli could hide it.  Deodorant would have solved a lot of the "issue" without her even having to shave her armpits.

Ever been on a bus on a hot day or in the gym with a guy who's wearing a tank top?  Hairy pits, right?  Stinky, hairy, pits.



So then this sounds like a deodorant/bathing issue. Not one relating to longer armpit hair.

Except that armpit hair traps odor, that's how it's related.

Grow your pits out, go nutty. But use deodorant please, lol.

PrettyGirlLost

lovemesomemonster said:

thisismynickname said:

ShesSoCold said:

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

LOL I'm the same way. DH comes home from the gym or a run, is all red-faced and sweaty, and still smells like soap. I don't know how he does it. 

My FI is the same way, I have no idea how he does it and when I work out I come home sweating and smelling like a hot mess. 

Pheromones.

I bet your DHs don't think you stink either.

lovemesomemonster

PrettyGirlLost said:

thisismynickname said:

ShesSoCold said:

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

LOL I'm the same way. DH comes home from the gym or a run, is all red-faced and sweaty, and still smells like soap. I don't know how he does it. 

My FI is the same way, I have no idea how he does it and when I work out I come home sweating and smelling like a hot mess. 

Pheromones. I bet your DHs don't think you stink either.

huh, good to know because I think I stink!

WinstonsGirl

I feel gross when I don't shave my pits.  Same for bikini line, though leg hair doesn't bother me as much, probably cos it's not in a closed type of space.  I hate arm pit hair, and on guys too, though I generally don't mind it if I don't see it (keep your arms down people!!).  

Once, right after high school, I went camping with my group of friends.  I woke up next to one guy sleeping on his back, hands above his head and my face about 3 inches from his hairy pit. It was horrible.  

PrettyGirlLost

lovemesomemonster said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

lovemesomemonster said:

thisismynickname said:

ShesSoCold said:

I know I love my husband because I think his nasty summer post-work pits smell good. That's true love right there.

LOL I'm the same way. DH comes home from the gym or a run, is all red-faced and sweaty, and still smells like soap. I don't know how he does it. 

My FI is the same way, I have no idea how he does it and when I work out I come home sweating and smelling like a hot mess. 

Pheromones.

I bet your DHs don't think you stink either.




huh, good to know because I think I stink!

Well to everyone else you do! :-p