Leg shaving
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leg shaving is the practice of removing leg hair using a razor. It is a very common practice among women in Western countries, and is also done by many men, especially cyclists and swimmers. In addition to shaving the hair off, some individuals may use waxing, sugaring, depilatories, depilation devices, or lasers to remove the hair. These hair-removal methods are often also practiced on armpit hair and pubic hair.
Shaving can be done with an electric razor or a regular, manual one. If a non-electric razor is used, some lathering agent such as soap or a special "shaving cream" or foam should be applied to the legs first, if a painful razor burn is to be avoided.
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[edit] For men
Certain male bicyclists shave their legs often. This is usually ostensibly done because road rash heals faster without the presence of leg hair (and is easier to clean). Aesthetics, fitting in with their cycling peers, and "feeling faster" (without the feel of wind resistance on body hair) are other common reasons. It also helps the lycra bike pants to 'stick' to the skin better with shaved legs. It also allows the sweat to dry up in the bike pants rather than stay under them in the hair.
Swimmers shave their legs to reduce friction in the water.
It is also practiced by male models and bodybuilders, since it tends to show off muscle better. Male leg shaving is becoming a more popular practice among younger males.
[edit] For women
For women, the practice of shaving the legs derives from a current cultural standard in the West that deems leg hair on women unattractive. This standard emerged during the twentieth century, at a time when women's legs became more visible, and when the safety razor made the practice of leg shaving practical. The reasons for this cultural standard are debated, but this is sometimes seen as an example of a cultural mechanism for increasing sexual dimorphism. Others have suggested that it was promoted as a means of selling razors to a broader segment of the populace.
Depending on the amount of hair on their legs or the amount of the woman's patience, some women may only shave the hair below the knee, while others shave the entire leg. The frequency of shaving also varies from individual to individual. Some shave as often as every day, and others may not bother to shave at all during winter months when their legs aren't visible to the public. In general, younger women tend to shave more frequently than older women. Women who shave their legs typically do so either while bathing or showering.
Some women, despite the social pressure for hairless legs in certain Western countries, simply never shave at all. While some refrain out of laziness or lack of concern, others do so in protest of what they consider an unnatural and repressive societal double-standard. Still others refrain in an effort to be less environmentally wasteful. Research also suggests that women who do not shave their body hair are "characterized by higher global self-esteem." [1] Scholars suggest that this is because women with lower levels of self-esteem are less likely to be satisfied with their natural bodies, and thus more likely to alter them. [2]
Most women usually begin the practice at some point during their adolescence. It can serve as an unofficial "rite of passage" into womanhood in some countries.
Special razors, somewhat different in shape from razors aimed at men who shave their faces, are often marketed at women. Advertising campaigns promote hair removal products, which, when applied to the woman's legs, allegedly will make them "sexy" or "silky smooth".
Uncommon in most other parts of the world, the practice of leg shaving among women is common in Brazil, North America, Australia, and Western Europe.
