How to Manscape: The Complete Body Grooming Guide for Men

Last updated: February 2026 by Marcus Chen-Williams, Editor-in-Chief

Let’s get one thing straight: body grooming is not new. Men across every culture have been managing body hair for centuries. What is relatively new is the number of products, techniques, and opinions telling you how to do it. If you have ever searched how to manscape and ended up more confused than when you started, this guide fixes that.

We tested over 20 body grooming tools across our editorial team over six months. Different hair types, different body types, different comfort levels. I personally went from being a “just let it grow” guy through college to someone who now maintains a deliberate routine that takes about 15 minutes every two weeks. This guide covers everything I have learned, every mistake I have made, and the exact approach that works for each body zone.

If you want the quick version: get a dedicated body trimmer with guard attachments, start with a longer guard setting, work your way shorter, and never use your head clippers below the waist. For the full breakdown by zone, method, and product, keep reading.

Why Men Manscape (And Why It Actually Matters)

Before getting into the how, let’s address the why. Manscaping is not about conforming to some arbitrary standard. It is about hygiene, comfort, and personal preference. Here is what the research and practical experience actually show.

Hygiene Benefits

Body hair traps sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells. That is not an opinion; it is biology. A 2015 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that men who trimmed their armpit hair reported measurably reduced body odor. The mechanism is straightforward: less hair means less surface area for bacteria to colonize, and deodorant or antiperspirant makes direct contact with your skin instead of coating a layer of hair.

This applies across body zones. Trimmed groin hair reduces moisture buildup and the risk of fungal infections like jock itch. Trimmed chest hair means your body wash actually reaches your skin. None of this requires going completely bare. Even a short trim makes a meaningful difference.

Comfort and Confidence

Surveys consistently show that a majority of men under 40 do some form of body grooming. A 2020 Mintel report found that 69% of men in the U.S. trim or remove body hair. The number climbs higher in the 18-to-34 demographic. Partner preference plays a role for some men. A frequently cited Cosmopolitan survey found that 73% of women preferred some degree of grooming on their partner. But the biggest motivator most men report is simply feeling cleaner and more comfortable, especially during warmer months or physical activity.

Athletic and Practical Reasons

Swimmers, cyclists, and runners have been grooming body hair for performance reasons long before it became mainstream. Less body hair means less friction, easier application of sunscreen or muscle tape, and faster wound cleaning if you take a fall. If you use a body moisturizer or sunscreen regularly, you will notice it absorbs significantly better on trimmed skin.

Manscaping Methods Compared: Trimming vs. Shaving vs. Waxing vs. Laser vs. Cream

There are five main approaches to body hair removal. Each has real trade-offs, and the best method depends on the body zone, your hair type, and how much effort you want to invest. Here is an honest breakdown.

Trimming (Electric Body Groomer)

Best for: Chest, stomach, groin, armpits, legs
Pain level: None
Ingrown hair risk: Very low
How long results last: 1-3 weeks
Cost: $30-80 for a quality trimmer

Trimming is the safest, fastest, and most forgiving method. A good body trimmer with adjustable guards lets you dial in exactly how short you want to go without ever touching the skin. This means virtually zero risk of cuts, nicks, or razor burn. The trade-off is that you will not get a completely smooth finish. You will always have some visible stubble. For most men, that is actually the desired outcome.

This is the method I recommend for beginners and for the groin area regardless of experience level. Dedicated body trimmers like the Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 and the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 are designed specifically for body contours and sensitive skin.

Shaving (Manual Razor)

Best for: Back of neck, shoulders, specific areas where you want bare skin
Pain level: Low (unless you nick yourself)
Ingrown hair risk: Moderate to high
How long results last: 1-5 days
Cost: $10-40 for a quality razor and cream

Shaving gives you the smoothest result, but it comes with the most maintenance and the highest irritation risk. Every time you shave, you are dragging a blade across your skin, which can cause micro-cuts, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Men with coarse or curly body hair are especially prone to post-shave bumps. If you are dealing with sensitive skin, our shaving cream guide and aftershave recommendations cover the products that minimize irritation.

I only recommend manual shaving for body zones where you specifically want a bare finish and you are willing to commit to a pre-shave and post-shave routine. The Gillette Intimate Pubic Razor is designed specifically for sensitive body areas if you do choose this route.

Waxing

Best for: Back, chest (if you want fully bare), shoulders
Pain level: High
Ingrown hair risk: Moderate
How long results last: 3-6 weeks
Cost: $30-100 per professional session

Waxing pulls hair out from the root, which means results last significantly longer than trimming or shaving. The downside is obvious: it hurts. Professional waxing is preferable to at-home kits for body grooming because a trained aesthetician can work quickly and minimize skin trauma. The groin area (often called a “manzilian” or “brozilian”) is available at most waxing studios that serve men.

Waxing is not a great option for men with very curly or coarse body hair, as the risk of ingrown hairs increases when thick hair tries to push back through the skin after removal. If your body hair is on the coarser side, trimming or laser are better long-term choices.

Laser Hair Removal

Best for: Back, shoulders, chest (long-term reduction)
Pain level: Moderate (like a rubber band snap)
Ingrown hair risk: Very low after treatment
How long results last: Semi-permanent (6-12 months between touch-ups)
Cost: $200-800 per session, 4-6 sessions needed

Laser is the most effective long-term solution for men who want significant hair reduction in large areas like the back and chest. Modern laser technology works across skin tones, though men with darker skin should specifically seek out Nd:YAG laser providers, which are safer for melanin-rich skin. The investment is substantial, typically $1,200 to $4,800 for a full treatment course, but you are essentially done afterward apart from occasional maintenance sessions.

Laser is not practical for the groin area for most men. The treatment is uncomfortable on sensitive skin, and most men do not want permanent bare skin in that zone.

Depilatory Creams (Chemical Removal)

Best for: Chest, legs, arms
Pain level: None (unless you have a reaction)
Ingrown hair risk: Low
How long results last: 3-7 days
Cost: $8-15 per bottle

Depilatory creams dissolve hair at the surface using chemicals like calcium thioglycolate. They are painless and produce a smoother result than trimming. The catch: these chemicals can irritate sensitive skin, and you should absolutely never use a standard depilatory cream on your groin. Some brands, like Veet for Men, offer formulas designed for sensitive areas, but always do a patch test 24 hours before full application. If your skin shows redness, burning, or irritation during the test, do not proceed.

Quick Comparison Table

Zone-by-Zone Manscaping Guide

Every body zone has different skin thickness, hair density, and sensitivity. What works on your chest will not work on your groin. Here is the step-by-step approach for each area, including which tools and guard lengths to use.

Chest and Stomach

Recommended method: Trimming
Recommended guard length: 3mm to 6mm (start longer)
Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks
Best tool: Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000

Step-by-step:

1. Start dry. Dry chest hair stands up straighter, which allows the trimmer blades to catch each hair cleanly. Wet hair clumps and slides through guards unevenly.
2. Attach a longer guard first. If you have never trimmed your chest before, start at 6mm. You can always go shorter. You cannot glue hair back on.
3. Trim against the grain. On the chest, hair generally grows downward. Move your trimmer upward in steady, slow strokes. Do not press hard. Let the guard maintain consistent distance from the skin.
4. Work in sections. Do the upper chest first, then the lower chest, then the stomach. This prevents you from creating uneven patches.
5. Blend the edges. The transition from trimmed chest to untrimmed shoulders or armpit area should look natural. Use a slightly longer guard (one step up) around the borders to avoid a hard line.
6. Clean up. Shower afterward to rinse loose hair and apply a light moisturizer.

Common mistake: Going too short on the first attempt. A completely bare chest looks obviously groomed and requires constant upkeep as stubble grows back. A 3mm to 6mm trim looks natural and neat. Most partners and most men prefer the trimmed-not-bare look on the chest.

Groin and Below the Belt

Recommended method: Trimming only (see our best trimmer for balls guide for dedicated tool recommendations)
Recommended guard length: 2mm to 4mm
Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks
Best tool: Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 or Meridian Trimmer

This is the zone where most men make mistakes, and the zone where using the right tool matters most. Here is the thing nobody tells you: the skin down there is thinner, looser, and more vascular than anywhere else on your body. A regular beard trimmer or barber clipper was not designed for this anatomy and will nick you.

Step-by-step:

1. Use a dedicated groin trimmer. This is non-negotiable. Tools like the Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 feature ceramic blades with rounded tips and SkinSafe technology specifically designed to prevent cuts on thin, loose skin. Your head clippers are not the same thing.
2. Trim dry or slightly damp. Some groin trimmers are rated for wet use, and a warm shower can soften the hair. But most men get better, more even results on dry or towel-dried hair.
3. Pull the skin taut. This is the single most important technique for preventing nicks. Use your free hand to gently stretch the skin flat before running the trimmer over it. Loose, bunched skin is how cuts happen.
4. Start with the bikini line and work inward. Trim the crease where your thigh meets your torso first, using a 3mm or 4mm guard. Then move to the pubic area above. For the scrotum, switch to the shortest guard or use the trimmer without a guard, moving very slowly with the skin pulled taut.
5. Go with the grain on the scrotum. Unlike the chest, you want to trim in the direction of hair growth here. Going against the grain on loose scrotal skin increases the chance of the blade catching a fold.
6. Apply body powder afterward. A product like MANSCAPED Crop Preserver or basic cornstarch-based body powder reduces friction, absorbs moisture, and prevents the uncomfortable chafing that can happen after trimming.

Common mistake: Using a regular beard trimmer or hair clipper on the groin. Standard clipper blades have exposed cutting edges that can grab loose scrotal skin. Dedicated body trimmers have guards and blade designs that prevent this. I learned this lesson the hard way in my 20s, and I am telling you so you do not have to.

Armpits

Recommended method: Trimming
Recommended guard length: 3mm to 6mm
Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks
Best tool: Any body trimmer with a narrow head

Armpit grooming is the highest-impact, lowest-effort manscaping move. Trimming your armpit hair makes a noticeable difference in body odor and deodorant effectiveness within a single day.

Step-by-step:

1. Raise your arm above your head. This stretches the skin flat and exposes the full armpit area.
2. Trim against the grain. Armpit hair grows in multiple directions, so you may need to make passes from a few different angles. Use a 3mm to 6mm guard.
3. Do not shave bare. Shaving your armpits creates stubble that is sharp and uncomfortable, and the constant friction from arm movement makes razor burn almost inevitable. A short trim is more comfortable and still gives you 80% of the hygiene benefit.
4. Apply deodorant on clean, dry skin afterward. You will notice it works noticeably better.

Common mistake: Shaving armpits completely bare. The regrowth is prickly, the razor burn stings with every arm movement, and the stubble shadow is visible within 24 hours. A 3mm trim is the sweet spot.

Back and Shoulders

Recommended method: Trimming (self-service) or waxing/laser (professional)
Recommended guard length: No guard or 1mm to 3mm
Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks
Best tool: BaKblade 2.0 Elite Plus (self-service back groomer)

The back is the hardest zone to manage alone. You cannot see it, and you cannot easily reach it. There are two practical approaches.

DIY with a back groomer:

1. Get a long-handled body groomer. Tools like the BaKblade have an extendable handle with a hinged head that lets you reach your entire back. Standard body trimmers require a second person for back grooming.
2. Use long, downward strokes. Start at the top of your shoulders and pull downward. The blade should move with the grain.
3. Do this in the shower or over a towel. Back hair creates a lot of clippings. Easier to clean up in the shower.
4. Check with a mirror. Use a handheld mirror and your bathroom mirror to check for missed spots.

Professional approach: If you have significant back hair and want a clean result, professional waxing or laser is more practical than trying to maintain it yourself. A monthly waxing session ($40 to $80) or a course of laser treatments ($1,200 to $3,000 for the back) gives you long-term results without the awkward solo grooming sessions.

Legs

Recommended method: Trimming (if desired)
Recommended guard length: 3mm to 9mm
Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks (or not at all)
Best tool: Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000

Leg grooming is entirely optional for most men. Athletes trim or shave their legs for performance and injury reasons. Swimmers shave to reduce drag. Cyclists shave to make road rash easier to treat. If you are not doing any of those things, there is no hygiene or practical reason to groom your legs unless you personally prefer the look.

If you do choose to trim, use a longer guard (6mm to 9mm) for a natural look that just reduces bulk without creating an obvious “I shaved my legs” appearance. Trim against the grain in upward strokes. The shins are bony and prone to nicks if you shave, so trimming is safer than a razor.

Nose and Ears

Recommended method: Dedicated nose/ear trimmer
Frequency: Weekly
Best tool: Manscaped Weed Whacker or any rotary nose trimmer

Nose and ear hair are different from body hair. These are coarser, grow faster as men age, and are immediately visible. A dedicated nose trimmer with a rotary blade is the only safe approach. Never use scissors, tweezers, or a regular trimmer inside your nostrils. The mucous membranes inside your nose are there for a reason (filtering air), and you only want to trim the visible hair that protrudes.

1. Insert the trimmer just inside the nostril opening. Do not push deep.
2. Rotate the trimmer slowly around the inside edge.
3. Check for any remaining visible hairs and do a second pass if needed.
4. For ears, run the trimmer around the outer ear canal and the outer ear where stray hairs appear.

Best Manscaping Products by Zone

After testing over 20 body groomers, trimmers, and aftercare products across our editorial team, here are the tools that actually deliver. Every product was purchased independently.

Best All-Around Body Groomer

Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 ($50 to $70)

The Bodygroom 7000 is the Swiss army knife of body groomers. One end has a trimmer with five guard lengths for bulk removal. The other end has a foil shaver for smooth finishing. It is waterproof, has a 80-minute battery, and works on every body zone from shoulders to ankles. The dual-sided design means you can trim with one end and smooth with the other without switching tools. This is the body groomer I recommend to men who are buying their first dedicated tool.

Best Groin Trimmer

Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 ($70 to $90)

Manscaped built their entire brand around below-the-belt grooming, and the Lawn Mower 5.0 shows it. The ceramic blade with SkinSafe technology has rounded tips that reduce nicks on sensitive skin. The 7,000 RPM motor cuts cleanly without pulling. The LED light (yes, really) helps you see what you are doing in hard-to-see areas. It is waterproof, has a 90-minute battery, and includes two guard lengths. We cover this in detail in our best trimmer for balls roundup.

Best Budget Groin Trimmer

Meridian Trimmer ($40 to $50)

The Meridian delivers about 85% of the Manscaped experience at roughly half the price. The ceramic blades are gentle on sensitive skin, the build quality is solid, and it includes two guard lengths. It lacks the LED light and some of the premium features of the Lawn Mower 5.0, but for the price, it is the best value in dedicated groin trimmers.

Best Back Groomer

BaKblade 2.0 Elite Plus ($25 to $35)

This is a manual (non-electric) back groomer with an extendable handle and a wide blade cartridge. It is simple, effective, and solves the fundamental problem of back grooming: reach. The handle extends to 19 inches, and the blade cartridge is wide enough to cover ground quickly. Replacement blades are about $15 for a four-pack. For men who just need to clean up back hair without investing in professional treatments, this is the practical choice.

Best Nose and Ear Trimmer

Manscaped Weed Whacker ($30 to $40)

A dedicated nose and ear trimmer with a 9,000 RPM rotary blade and SkinSafe technology. It cuts cleanly without pulling, and the tapered head fits comfortably in the nostril without going too deep. Waterproof, USB-C rechargeable, and comes with a small travel case.

Manscaping Aftercare: How to Prevent Irritation and Ingrown Hairs

The grooming itself is only half the job. What you do after trimming or shaving determines whether you end up comfortable or covered in razor bumps. Here is the aftercare routine that prevents problems.

Step 1: Shower and Rinse

Take a warm (not hot) shower immediately after grooming. This rinses away loose hair clippings, opens pores, and prepares your skin for treatment. Use a gentle, exfoliating body wash with salicylic acid, like CeraVe SA Body Wash, on the areas you just groomed. Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant that prevents dead skin from clogging pores and trapping ingrown hairs.

Step 2: Pat Dry (Do Not Rub)

Freshly groomed skin is more sensitive than usual. Rubbing with a towel can irritate it. Pat gently until dry.

Step 3: Apply Aftercare Product

The product depends on the zone:

• Groin: Body powder or anti-chafing balm. MANSCAPED Crop Preserver is a ball deodorant and moisturizer that reduces friction. Cornstarch-based body powder is a cheaper alternative.
• Chest and stomach: A light, fragrance-free moisturizer. Anything from your regular skincare routine works. Our moisturizer guide has recommendations that work well post-grooming.
• Areas prone to ingrown hairs: Tend Skin Solution is an alcohol-based treatment that prevents ingrown hairs. Apply it to freshly groomed skin once daily for three days after grooming.

Step 4: Exfoliate Regularly Between Sessions

Two to three times per week, use an exfoliating body wash or a gentle scrub on areas you groom. This keeps dead skin from building up and trapping regrowing hairs. This single habit eliminates most ingrown hair problems for most men.

7 Manscaping Mistakes That Most Men Make

After talking to dermatologists, barbers, and reading more grooming forum horror stories than I care to admit, these are the mistakes that come up repeatedly.

1. Using Head Clippers on the Groin

Your barber’s fade clippers are designed for the firm, flat surface of your scalp. The groin has loose, thin skin that can get pulled into exposed clipper blades. Dedicated body trimmers have guards, rounded blade tips, and lower power specifically to prevent this. Use the right tool.

2. Going Too Short on the First Try

Always start with a longer guard and work your way shorter. You can trim more off. You cannot put it back. Start at 6mm for body zones and 3mm to 4mm for the groin, then adjust next session based on your preference.

3. Trimming Wet Hair

Wet body hair lies flat against the skin and clumps together. Trimmer blades struggle to catch individual hairs, resulting in an uneven cut. Trim dry or towel-dried hair for the most consistent results. Shower after, not before.

4. Skipping Aftercare

Trimming without aftercare is like working out without stretching. You might get away with it sometimes, but eventually you will pay for it with ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or irritation. Budget an extra five minutes for a shower, moisturizer, and body powder.

5. Stretching Between Sessions Too Long

If you let body hair grow back fully between sessions, you are starting from scratch every time, which means more clippings, more time, and more uneven results. Maintaining a regular schedule (every one to two weeks for the groin, every two to four weeks for other zones) keeps each session quick and easy.

6. Using Dull Blades

Trimmer blades dull over time, just like razors. A dull blade pulls hair instead of cutting it, causing discomfort and irritation. Most body trimmer blades should be replaced or oiled every 6 to 12 months. If your trimmer starts tugging or feels less comfortable than it used to, the blade needs attention.

7. Not Cleaning the Trimmer After Use

Body hair, skin oils, and bacteria build up on trimmer blades between uses. Most quality body trimmers are waterproof and can be rinsed under running water after each use. Do this every time. It extends blade life and prevents bacterial transfer to your skin on the next use.

Recommended Manscaping Schedule

Here is a practical maintenance schedule that keeps everything groomed without consuming your entire Sunday.

Total weekly investment: about 10 to 15 minutes if you rotate zones instead of doing everything on the same day. I do groin and armpits every Sunday, chest and nose on the first and third Sunday of each month, and back as needed. The entire routine is built around a quick pre-shower trim.

Manscaping Tips by Hair Type

Body hair is not one-size-fits-all. Your hair texture affects which methods work best and which risks you face.

Fine, Straight Body Hair

Men with fine, straight body hair (common in East Asian and some European backgrounds) generally have the easiest time manscaping. Any method works well, ingrown hairs are less common, and regrowth is softer. You can go shorter with less irritation risk. A simple body trimmer handles everything.

Thick, Coarse Body Hair

Men with thick, coarse body hair (common in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Mediterranean backgrounds) need to be more intentional about method selection. Coarse hair is more likely to become ingrown, especially after shaving. Trimming with a guard is safer than shaving for most zones. If you do shave, use a single-blade razor rather than a multi-blade cartridge, and always shave with the grain. Exfoliating between sessions is more important for you than for men with fine hair.

Curly or Coily Body Hair

Men with curly or coily body hair (common in Black men and some other backgrounds) face the highest ingrown hair risk because the hair’s natural curl pattern causes it to grow back toward the skin after cutting. Our electric shaver guide for Black men covers this extensively for facial hair, and the same principles apply to body grooming. Trim, do not shave. Use a guard. Exfoliate religiously. Consider Tend Skin or a similar ingrown hair treatment as part of your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Manscaping is simpler than the internet makes it seem. Get a dedicated body trimmer with guard attachments. Start with a longer guard setting. Trim dry. Shower after. Moisturize. That covers 90% of what most men need.

If you want to go deeper, use the zone-by-zone guide above to dial in each area. Invest in a dedicated groin trimmer if you are only going to buy one specialized tool. And commit to the aftercare routine, because the five minutes you spend on exfoliating and moisturizing after trimming is what separates a comfortable experience from a week of razor bumps and regret.

We built CulturedGrooming because “men’s grooming” should work for every man, regardless of hair type, skin tone, or background. This guide is written to be useful whether you have fine, straight body hair or thick, coily growth. The fundamentals are the same. The details, like which guard length works best for your texture or which aftercare products prevent ingrown hairs on your skin type, are where the real value lies.

Start simple. Stay consistent. Adjust as you learn what works for your body. That is the entire playbook.