The Final Frontier?

Ten years ago ‘downstairs’ grooming was pretty much the final frontier in terms of keeping up appearances. But with the recent growth of interest in manscaping, all eyes have shifted southwards in the pursuit of neat and tidy nether regions.

So much so that, according to a recent survey by Gillette, one in five men now sport a close trim down below (though given that the survey also showed that 92 percent of women prefer a man with a tidy trunk line, the other four fifths might want to consider some pubic topiary, too).

In fact, a whole industry has developed around keeping men’s tackles clean and fresh, so grooming below the belt isn’t so much an eyebrow-raising oddity, as a practice you should probably consider taking up.

So, here’s everything you wanted to know about ‘down below’ grooming but were too afraid to ask.

Shaving Private Ryan

Next to the popularity of beards, I can’t think of another grooming trend that’s proved as popular as the removal of body hair (also known as ‘manscaping’), especially in the pubic area.

There are lots of reasons for this – trends in porn, pressure from partners and the fabled ‘optical inch’ pubic hair removal supposedly provides have all been cited – but the bottom line is that some men just prefer the way it looks and feels.

“Hair-free skin can certainly feel cooler and fresher, and also helps to reduce body odor, especially during hot and humid weather,” says body waxing expert Andy Rouillard, owner of Axiom Men’s Grooming Salon. “As for anything below the belt; nobody likes to see sideburns poking out the side of a pair of trunks, do they?”

So, if you fancy trimming, shaving or waxing, here are a few simple pointers:

1. Trim Before You Shave

A light trim is often all that’s needed to neaten pubic hair, but if you want an altogether smoother look, and are using a razor to achieve it, trim the hair back first with a specialist device like the Philips Bodygroom, Braun CruZer6 Body, Wahl Body Groomer or the King of Shaves Prostyle Bodystyler. Any of these will make shaving much easier, not to mention less hazardous.