Best ways to remove and maintain arm hair for men.

Body hair is a matter of genes, necessity, and personal preference. While certain men grow a thick layer of soft fuzz all over their arms, some men are naturally smooth, while others trim their arm hair on a regular basis.

It’s not the arm hair that makes the man, but your confidence in the decision to save it or shave it. If you do prefer a smooth look, knowing the best way to remove arm hair can ensure a clean cut, prevent bumps and burns, and reduce irritating reactions.

Before you turn to waxing or laser hair removal—options that are expensive, painful, and can cause major irritation—consider these MANSCAPED®-approved techniques for trimming and shaving your arm hair.

Why do men groom their arm hair?

Arm hair is natural, but not every man enjoys the look, feel, or (at times) inconvenience of a full sleeve of fuzz. In fact, there are a number of reasons why men choose to shave their arms, including:

• Aesthetics – Many men simply prefer the look of clean-shaven arms. They offer a unique, sleek aesthetic, especially when paired with the right fashion and attitude.

• Hygiene – Hair tends to collect sweat, dirt, oil, dead skin, and other debris. If you work a job where you sweat heavily and get dirty, shaven arms can help you stay clean and fresh. Hairless arms are also key for gym lovers and cardio kings, as excess sweat from exercise can collect on hair, causing greasiness, odors, and potential discomfort.

• Sports – Athletes know that hair of any kind can get in the way on the court, field, or other sporting venue. Hairless limbs help turf tape stick to football players’ arms, preventing burns from slides and falls. Smooth skin makes swimmers more aerodynamic, helping them cut precious seconds off their times. Shaved arms are also beneficial for combat sports, as any hair can be plucked and pulled in the heat of battle.

• Tattoos – If you've ever gotten ink before, you know they need to shave the whole area for the tattoo to set properly. Many men also prefer to maintain a clean shave around their tattooed areas to better display their body art.

• Muscle definition – Lifting is an arduous process, and results take a significant amount of time. After all that work, many men prefer not to cover up their progress with hair. By shaving their most muscular areas, these men can highlight their definition and hard work.

Whatever reason you have for shaving the sleeves, you’re not alone: Men around the world are increasingly choosing to smooth out their arms and rock the hairless look.

Do men shave their arms? Yes—here’s why.

The number of men who shave their arms varies widely based on which part of the arm we’re talking about. When it comes to the pits, over two-thirds of men admit to trimming or shaving for comfort and hygiene reasons. Across other areas, such as the forearms and biceps, the percentage is much lower—somewhere around 6%.

Either way, arm hair care is on the rise as men increasingly feel the desire to groom, rather than grow, their body hair.

Among certain groups, the impetus for shaven arms is even higher. For instance, the majority of professional swimmers have shaved their bodies clean since the late 1950s, and very few high-level competitors skip the razor. Arm hair also increases drag for cyclists, meaning many shave it off in anticipation of important races.

There are also other, more practical and common reasons to shave your arms:

• Shaving makes it easier to see your skin, allowing you to better care for wounds, rashes, and irritation.

• Smooth skin allows ointments and lotions to penetrate deeper into your dermis, rather than soaking into your hair.

So, how can you go smooth without fuss and frustration?

The best ways to groom arm hair—and how to do it, step-by-step.

Trimming and shaving are the two best ways to groom your arm hair. The right option for you will ultimately depend on the look and feel you’re after.

Trimming

Arm hair is a fact of life for most men, so trimming offers a more natural, casual style. Trimming is also best for men with sensitive skin and guys prone to razor burn, bumps, and other irritation. Trimming won’t leave your arms totally smooth, but that soft layer of fuzz can often feel even better than skin alone.

Adjustable guards ensure an even length and uniform look to arm hair, so use them whenever you trim. If you prefer a completely shaven, smooth appearance, however, you’ll need to whip out the manual razor.

Shaving

Shaving your arms is the optimal way to achieve a smooth, clean look with minimal friction and no remaining hair. It’s also the best option for athletes trying to optimize their speed and performance.

If you have particularly long hair, shave your arms with an electric trimmer before moving in with a manual razor. This prevents irritation and ensures the smoothest shave possible.

How to trim arm hair correctly.

To properly trim your arm hair:

1. Clean and dry your arms, making sure there’s no dirt or moisture on the area.

2. Move to a location you don’t mind getting hairy, such as in your shower, above your sink, or outside.

3. Grab a reliable electric razor, like The Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra.

4. Using your adjustable guard, select the length you want your arm hair to be—or use the lowest setting if you plan on shaving with a manual razor afterward.

5. Shave your preferred area in long, even strokes, cleaning the razor periodically.

If you want a completely smooth feel, now’s the time to bust out the manual razor. Wet your arm hair, lather it up with a quality shaving gel, and gently shave in even strokes in the same direction the hair grows (with the grain). This prevents tugging and irritation while leaving your skin soft and touchable.

Common arm hair grooming mistakes to avoid.

Men can be afraid to shave their arm hair, often fearing itchiness, irritation, and embarrassing razor burn in an area that’s often in full view. If you avoid these common pitfalls, however, you can achieve smooth arms without redness, splotches, or scratching:

• Shaving long hair without trimming it first – When you shave long hair with a manual razor, you often tug and tear it out instead of cutting it cleanly. Trimming with an electric razor beforehand makes it easier to finish off with a manual.

• Dry shaving – Shave gels help razors glide smoothly over your skin, preventing cuts, stopping your hair from being ripped out by the root, and minimizing your chances of razor burn. Dry shaving is a lousy idea, no matter what part of your body you’re grooming. When you dry-shave an area that everyone can see, you risk putting razor burn on full display.

• Using body soap instead of gel – Body soap is meant to clean your skin, not prepare it for a shave. Sudsy, soapy products often contain alcohol, heavily-scented ingredients, and other additives that can irritate the skin. A quality shave gel specifically formulated for sensitive skin helps razors glide cleanly, reduces the risk of irritation, and leaves your arms smooth.

Shaving gel is just one piece of the puzzle for clean, hair-free arms. Manual and electric razors—plus aftershaves, balms, and moisturizers—all contribute to your ideal final result: Smooth, touchable skin.

For the shaving essentials you need for your arms (and everywhere else), trust the MANSCAPED® lineup of quality grooming goods.

The top MANSCAPED® products for silky-smooth arms.

What’s the best way to remove arm hair? With the collection of men’s grooming kits and men’s body care products from MANSCAPED®.

To get the party started, MANSCAPED® offers a variety of electric trimmers for beards, balls, and beyond. The Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra is our most advanced body hair trimmer. It offers up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge, features a handy LED spotlight to pick out loose hairs, and comes with two adjustable guards, allowing you to trim anywhere from 2 to 12 millimeters.

After your trim, lather up with Power Shave Gel. It’s formulated for sensitive skin, reducing the risk of splotchy reactions, dryness, and razor burn wherever you shave. It also goes on clear, making it easy to see where you’ve already hit and which areas still need attention.

To free the last of your fuzz, use The Crop Shaver. It’s a three-blade safety razor designed for the most sensitive part of you—your groin—but perfect for all sorts of body hair, including your arms. Its pivoting head, extra-wide lubrication stick, and micro-comb bar allow you to carefully follow your arm’s contours, offering a close shave without bumps or burn.

If you need a little post-razor refreshment, MANSCAPED® also offers aftershave, moisturizer, and even cologne to keep you feeling fresh all day long.

Arm yourself with the right razors and products for body hair with MANSCAPED®.

Sources:

The Guardian. Armpit confidential: why men are now shaving – and women are doing whatever they like. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/jun/14/armpit-confidential-why-men-are-now-shaving-and-women-are-doing-whatever-they-like.

YouGov.YouGov. https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/tabs_OP_Personal_Grooming_20160315.pdf.

Esquire Middle East. Smooth criminals: why more and more men are shaving their body hair. https://www.esquireme.com/culture/features/smooth-criminals-why-more-and-more-men-are-shaving-their-body-hair.

National Library of Medicine. The Effect of Shaving Body Hair on the Physiological Cost of Freestyle Swimming. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6774642/.