Hairy backs are common among men, many of whom prefer to get rid of their back hair. Some do it because they like the appearance of a smooth back, whereas others are athletes who remove body hair in other areas too. In fact, there seems to be something of a social stigma against back hair in some circles, even where body hair in other areas is seen as ok. Whatever the motive for removing back hair, the demand is such that there is a thriving market for back hair elimination products, such as back shavers.
With a back hair razor, you normally get a much longer than average handle, which is good news for those – i.e. most people – who have difficulty reaching all the areas of the back easily. If you already have a razor you like, you could try using the Razorba, which is basically a long-handled extension with a slot at the end in which you insert your regular razor.
Electric back hair razors are available as well, and one popular model is the Mangroomer. This looks like a normal razor at first glance, but the handle folds out to make it much longer and easier to use. After use you can simply fold it up again, making this a convenient razor for traveling.
When shaving the back, as any other area, it’s important to take good care of the skin, to prevent shaving rash and other nasties. Soak the hair throughly when starting, use a good shaving foam, and shave in the same direction as the hair growth. Also, moisturize the area afterward to prevent dryness.
The disadvantage of shaving back hair is that the hair will regrow rapidly, which can be a problem if you don’t find a razor you’re really happy with. In this case, it might be worth considering other hair removal methods, such as waxing or depilatory creams.