Despite a hairy back being perfectly natural, society has dictated that they aren’t the most pleasant of things to look at. However, the cons of a bushy back rug extend beyond mere aesthetics. “Significantly hairy men may find that their body hair generates a lot of heat, which can lead to excess perspiration and body odour,” says Darling.

All of these factors combined have made back hair removal one of the most popular treatments among men at grooming salons worldwide. So, if you’re looking to rid yourself of yours, what are your options?

How To Fix It

So, you’ve tried and failed to make ‘chimpanzee chic’ happen and now you need an effective way to banish that back hair once and for all. Luckily, the continued trend for male grooming means that you now have a good range of options at your disposal.

“Hair removal accounts for around 45 percent of sales in most salons,” says Davies. “Whether it’s backs, intimate areas or anywhere else, the clients all say the same – they feel cleaner.”

So, if you’d like to experience that same fresh feeling that only comes with a newly hairless back, here are the best ways to get the job done.

Shaving

If you were avoiding the razor out of concern that you might wind up looking more like Chewbacca than Oliver Cheshire in the long run, don’t worry – it ain’t going to happen.

“Some people believe that shaving encourages more hair growth, but this is not the case,” says Matt Gass of the British Association of Dermatologists. “However, the stubble that follows regrowth may be undesirable and frequent shaving can irritate the skin.”

Even so, if it’s just a quick fix you’re in need of and time is a concern, a simple razor job can work well. To get it done properly, find someone to help you out (preferably a friend or relative, as opposed to just a random person on the street). Make sure they clean up any longer hair with a set of clippers first. Then, using plenty of shaving cream, instruct them to begin gently removing hair using the razor, making sure always to go with the grain. A back shaver (manual or electric) is also a great idea.