It’s a controversial topic with differing opinions all round, but I’m happy to hold my hand up and admit I’ve been shaving my legs for a couple of years. I like the way they feel, I like the way they look, the skin on my legs seems healthier with regular shaving, and there’s no way I’m going back.
In my opinion, there’s one overriding reason why men should shave their legs: and that’s hair loss. It happens to a lot of men as part of the ageing process. We don’t just lose hair on our heads, we can also lose it from other areas of the body, including arms, chest, you name it.
Why I shave my legs
The gradual process of hair loss from my legs has been happening for over ten years now. I first noticed it when I was on a Mediterranean holiday in 2013 and had to put on a pair of shorts to keep cool. A few little bald patches were starting to appear on my calves, barely noticeable, but from that point I knew they were there.
The process continued over the years, and for a long time I was too self-conscious to wear shorts. Then along came the global pandemic, lockdowns, and my first ever head shave. Having turned that corner and never looked back to my days of having hair, I realised the solution to the hair loss problem on my legs was exactly the same. It was time to shave my legs.
How I shave my legs
By 2022, the hair loss on my legs was advanced. Almost ten years after noticing those few bald patches on my legs, I was faced with the opposite scenario of just a few remaining patches of hair. It was a quick and easy job to trim those down using my Remington hair clippers, which are technically for head hair but great for trimming leg hair too.
After trimming, I hated the rough feel of the stubble, so I used a double-edged safety razor to shave them completely smooth. I applied some Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser as a finishing touch to the shaving routine, and my legs were left looking and feeling great, and for the first time in over ten years they were consistent in appearance.
What do others think of shaved legs on men?
My wife says they look a lot better shaved, and has jokingly expressed some envy about how easy it is for me to have legs as smooth as hers. As long as she approves, that’s all that really matters to me.
I have noticed other women checking my legs out when I’m showing them off with a nice pair of Bermuda shorts. I’ve even had a couple of smiles from those I’ve caught out. I’m sure there are women and men who would find shaved legs on a man weird or repulsive. Each to their own, I guess.
Most important is the fact I like my legs shaved. In exactly the same way shaving my head improved my confidence, shaving my legs has done the same, and since 2022 I have been proud to wear shorts every year during the warmer months, which are usually May to September.
Every now and then I notice other men who obviously shave their legs, so I know I’m not alone. It really shows off muscle tone, so it’s a popular aesthetic choice for bodybuilders, and can allegedly also provide an aerodynamic advantage to athletes, swimmers and cyclists.
When should men shave their legs?
Ultimately, it’s down to the individual and personal preference, but for men who are experiencing patchy leg hair, shaving those legs is a quick and easy solution to regain a consistent look and recover confidence. I recommend it, and even if there was a cure for leg hair loss, I wouldn’t go back to hairy legs again.
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