More and more of us shave our bits these days. It’s okay to admit it. But it’ not okay to do it badly. That’s why we took a lesson in wet shaving our dangly bits from Melanie Mari, owner and trained manscaper at Bare Skin Studio.
Step 1: Trim the Bulk
Before pulling out the razor, use electric clippers to trim any patches of unwieldy hair, including your bush and your perineum (that’s the fancy word for the no-man’s land between sack and crack, also known as the ‘taint’). “Don’t use electric clippers directly on your balls because you’ll catch skin,” Mari warns. “If your ball hair is really long, just float the clippers over the skin to remove some length.” Taking down the bulk will keep long hairs from getting stuck in your razor when you go to wet shave, making the job a whole lot easier.
Step 2: Get Steamy
Shaving your nethers in a hot shower is beneficial for two reasons: 1) The warm water will soften the particularly coarse pubic hairs, and 2) “It’s easier to shave your balls when they’re loose-y goose-y [which they will be in a warm shower] because the razor can’t get to the hairs stuck in the nooks and crannies when they’re shrivelled up,” says Mari. In other words, the lower they’re hanging, the easier they are to shave.
Step 3: Lube Up
“I recommend using a shave butter rather than a shaving cream,” Mari says. “That way, you can see exactly what you’re doing down there.” This is especially important when you’re wet shaving your naughty parts, as they’re particularly prone to nicks and cuts.
Step 4: Start Shaving
Wet shaving the area above your shaft is fairly straightforward—just be sure to shave with the grain to avoid itchiness and ingrown hair. “If you’re one of those guys with hair growing on his shaft […] it might be easier to shave that area with a boner,” Mari laughs. That way, the skin will be taut—as opposed to soft and shrivelled—which makes for a safer shave. For that same reason, it’s important to stretch your ball skin while shaving it.
Step 5: Be Gentle
“I recommend using a post-shave balm down there once you’re done shaving,” Mari says. This can be a life saver, since the skin below the belt is extra sensitive and prone to irritation.
There you go. Do it properly and go easy. It’ll all be worth it in the end.