Men’s Body Hair: Barbers Skip Trends in 2026

Your barber takes care of your head and beard, but that’s usually where it stops, leaving you completely on your own when it comes to men’s grooming for body hair. You’re left trying to figure out trends and basic upkeep by yourself. So why don’t barbers talk about it, and how do you get a clean look without paying a pro?

1. Assess Your Body Hair Goals and Choose the Right Tools

Before touching a trimmer, you need a plan. What’s the end goal? Are you going for totally smooth, just a neat trim, or something in between? The look you’re after determines the tools you need. For most guys, a good electric body groomer is the foundation of the whole operation. Don’t even think about using your beard trimmer down there. Its blades are too aggressive for sensitive skin and they just aren’t built for the different hair textures on your body. You need to invest in a real body groomer, like the Philips Norelco Bodygroom Series 7000 (Philips Norelco) or the Panasonic ER-GK80 (Panasonic). These have hypoallergenic foils and adjustable guards that are essential for avoiding nicks and irritation, and many of them can be used wet or dry, which is a huge plus for comfort. For really fine detail work, a smaller detail trimmer can be handy, but honestly, the attachments on a good body groomer usually get the job done. Pro Tip: When you’re reading reviews, look for guys talking specifically about using it for body hair. Check what they say about battery life, how easy it is to clean, and how it handles different kinds of hair. A solid groomer is an investment that should last for years. Common Mistake: Grabbing scissors to cut down long hair. It’s a guaranteed way to get an uneven, patchy result, and you’re far more likely to cut yourself, especially when you can’t see what you’re doing.

2. Prepare Your Skin and Hair for Trimming

Don’t skip prep. It’s the difference between a comfortable trim and a week of itchiness. Always start with a warm shower to soften the hair and open your pores, which makes everything go smoother and helps prevent ingrowns. While you’re in there, use a gentle exfoliating scrub, something like the Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub (Jack Black) works great, on all the areas you’re about to trim. This gets rid of dead skin and lifts the hairs up for a cleaner cut. After the shower, pat yourself dry. Even though some groomers work wet, trimming dry gives you much better visibility for a precise cut, especially if you’re dealing with longer hair to start. If your trimmer is dry-only, make sure your skin is bone dry or it’ll pull. If you plan on going for a close shave after trimming, now’s the time to lather up with a good shaving gel or cream to create a protective barrier. Guys who skip this step almost always regret it. Pro Tip: Do this in a well-lit bathroom, and if you have a fog-free mirror, even better. You need to see what you’re doing, especially when you’re trying to get your back or shoulders. Common Mistake: Just going for it on dry, un-prepped skin. You’re asking for razor burn, nicks, and a nasty batch of ingrown hairs that will make the whole thing feel like a waste of time.

3. Master the Art of Trimming: Techniques for Different Body Zones

You can’t use the same approach everywhere. Different parts of your body have different rules.

Chest and Abdomen

For your chest and stomach, first figure out the length you want. A lot of guys just want to thin things out, not go completely bare. Start with a longer guard on your trimmer, maybe a 3mm or 5mm, and make slow, deliberate passes against the direction your hair grows to lift it for an even cut. You can always switch to a shorter guard if you want to go shorter. If you’re aiming for a perfectly smooth chest, trim it down as short as you can with a guard first, then apply shaving cream and finish with a fresh razor. A 2024 survey from Men’s Health (Men’s Health) found that about 65% of men do some kind of trimming or removal of their chest hair.

Back and Shoulders

This is the hard part. Unless you can bend in ways you’re not supposed to, you’re going to need a tool with a long handle or some help. A dedicated back shaver like the BAKBLADE 2.0 PLUS (BAKBLADE) is designed specifically for this, with a long handle and special blades that make it possible to reach everything yourself. Always trim dry first to get rid of the bulk. If you’re just using your regular body groomer, you’ll need a very patient partner or a complicated multi-mirror setup. And be extremely careful around any moles. Of course, NYC Men’s Back Waxing is always an option if you want a pro to handle it for a longer-lasting result.

Arms and Legs

This is easy stuff. A medium guard setting (think 3mm to 7mm) is usually perfect for just reducing the volume so your arms and legs don’t look unnaturally bare. Make long, sweeping strokes with the grain to take down the bulk, and then you can go against the grain if you want it a little closer. Athletes often go for a more significant reduction, but for most guys, a simple tidy-up is all that’s needed.

Groin Area

This is where you need to pay the most attention. Always use a guard. I’m serious. Never go directly to the skin with a bare blade, especially not on your first pass. Start with a longer guard (like 3mm) and go slowly, pulling your skin taut to create a flat, even surface, which is the best way to prevent the blade from catching. For a closer trim, a specialized groin trimmer like the Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0 (Manscaped) with its SkinSafe™ tech is a good investment. If you decide to go for a totally smooth finish, trim short with a guard first, then use a shaving cream for sensitive skin and a new, sharp razor with almost no pressure. Take. Your. Time. Pro Tip: If you’re grooming your back without a special tool, try holding a small handheld mirror in one hand to watch what you’re doing while you use the trimmer in the other. It’s awkward and takes practice, but it’s doable. Common Mistake: Rushing, especially in sensitive areas. That’s how 99% of nicks, cuts, and irritation happen. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

4. Aftercare: Soothe and Protect Your Skin

What you do after you put the trimmer down is just as important as the prep. Once you’re done, rinse off with cool water to help close your pores and wash away any loose hairs. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel, don’t rub. Then, apply a soothing, unscented aftershave balm or moisturizer. You want something with ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile to calm the skin down, like the Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm (Nivea). Stay away from anything with alcohol, as it will just dry out your skin and cause more irritation. To keep ingrown hairs away, start exfoliating again a day or two after you groom and keep it up every few days. A body wash with salicylic acid can really help here. Also, keep your skin moisturized every day. Hydrated skin is healthier and less prone to getting irritated. Pro Tip: If you do get some bad irritation or razor bumps, a cold compress held on the area will give you some immediate relief. If it’s a constant problem, talk to a dermatologist. Common Mistake: Skipping aftercare or slapping on some alcohol-based aftershave. You’ll just end up with dry, itchy skin and a much higher chance of getting ingrown hairs or folliculitis (inflamed follicles).

5. Establish a Maintenance Schedule

To keep the look you want, you have to be consistent. How often you’ll need to do a touch-up depends on how fast your hair grows and what look you’re going for, but most guys find that a trim every 2 to 4 weeks works well. For your chest and stomach, a quick pass with a medium guard once a week or every other week might be enough. The groin area might need more frequent attention, maybe weekly, since that hair can grow faster and be more noticeable. Pay attention to your own body. You’ll quickly learn which spots need more work. Plus, regular maintenance makes each session way easier since you’re just cutting short hair, which doesn’t tangle and is much faster for your groomer to handle. Pro Tip: Clean your tools. After every use, rinse the groomer’s blades under water and let them air dry. Every so often, follow the manufacturer’s directions for oiling the blades to keep them sharp and running smoothly for a long time. Common Mistake: Waiting too long between sessions. Letting it all grow back just makes the next trim a much bigger, more time-consuming project, and it also increases the odds you’ll get skin irritation. Even if your barber only cares about what’s above your collar, mastering body hair grooming is totally achievable with the right gear and a consistent routine. Getting your men’s body hair under control lets you create a clean, comfortable look that’s all your own. For longer-lasting smoothness, plenty of guys are deciding to ditch the shave for waxing in 2026.