Men’s Grooming: Waxing Overtakes Shaving by 2027

The whole men’s grooming world is getting turned on its head. For years, it was all about the daily shave, but now other hair removal methods are seriously challenging that routine. You can see the change in companies like Dollar Shave Club, which built its empire on razors but is now getting into longer-lasting solutions because that’s what guys are asking for. It’s clear the waxing trend is here to stay, and it’s changing how men think about grooming, opening up doors for customers and businesses alike.

The Shifting Sands of Men’s Grooming

For what feels like forever, men’s grooming meant one thing: shaving. Your bathroom counter was a fortress of razors, creams, and aftershaves. But the 2020s are different. Men are trying out a much wider range of personal care, and it goes way beyond just beard oil and fancy face washes. Guys are completely rethinking how they deal with body hair. Dollar Shave Club is a perfect example. They blew up the shaving market with their subscription boxes but now they’re pivoting because they see their own customers want something that gives them smoother skin for longer than a blade can. It’s a sign that the market is growing up and asking for more than just the basics. So why the big change? A lot of it has to do with looks, partly thanks to social media and what it means to be masculine today. Men are just more open about wanting a smooth chest or back, sometimes for sports or just because they like how it feels. According to a 2023 report from Grand View Research, the global male grooming market hit $55.5 billion in 2022 and is set to grow at a 6.2% CAGR, projected to reach $81.2 billion by 2028. Hair removal, and waxing specifically, is a huge piece of that growth. These aren’t just stats. They show a real shift in what people are buying and what they expect.

Beyond the Blade: Why Men Are Choosing Waxing

Why are so many guys switching to waxing? The biggest draw is how long it lasts. Shaving is a daily (or every-other-day) chore that gives you temporary smoothness, but waxing yanks the hair out from the root, so you stay smooth for weeks. That means less time in front of the mirror and a consistently clean look. If you’re a busy professional or have an active lifestyle, getting that time back is a huge deal. Think about it: no stubble for three to four weeks. That’s an attractive offer. Then there’s the regrowth. Shaving slices the hair off at the skin’s surface, creating a blunt edge that feels scratchy and looks thick when it grows back. Waxing pulls out the whole hair, so when it eventually returns, it’s finer and softer. Over time, this can seriously cut down on ingrown hairs, which are a constant complaint for guys who shave sensitive spots. Plus, the waxing process itself is a great exfoliator, ripping away dead skin cells and leaving your skin looking healthier. I’ve seen countless guys walk in as skeptics and walk out as converts once they feel the difference. The benefits are about your overall skin health, not just getting rid of hair. And how people see body hair is changing. Some guys still like the natural look, but a lot of others are going for some level of hair removal. For athletes, less hair can mean better hygiene, less friction, and even help with injury recovery since it makes massage and applying creams easier. Swimmers, cyclists, and bodybuilders have been doing this for ages for performance, but now it’s trickling down to everyone. The simple comfort of having smooth skin, especially when it’s hot out or you’re working out, is becoming a big selling point.

Market Growth and the Professional Grooming Sector

The boom in male waxing isn’t just something you hear about. You can see it in how professional grooming services are expanding. Salons and spas that used to be almost entirely for women are now openly advertising to men. They’re offering wax treatments for the back, chest, shoulders, and even the “brozilian.” The industry sees the money on the table and is changing its service menus, training its people, and working to make men feel welcome. For instance, a lot of places now have a dedicated “men’s waxing” section on their website or menu, which takes the guesswork out of it for a first-timer. What’s pushing this growth? A big part of it is just more awareness. You’ve got social media influencers and men’s magazines talking openly about waxing and other grooming routines. When guys see other guys doing it and talking about their good experiences, the old stigma starts to fall apart and they become more willing to try it themselves. With information so easy to find and more specialists opening up shop, you get a cycle where demand creates more supply which in turn creates more demand. A Statista survey from late 2025 showed that almost 30% of men aged 25-44 in cities had tried a professional hair removal service in the last year which is a massive leap from just five years ago.

Adapting to the New Grooming Field: A Business Imperative

If you’re in the grooming business, you can’t afford to sleep on the waxing trend. Companies like Dollar Shave Club, built on razors, are adding all sorts of new products to their lineup. They’re not just doing it to have more stuff to sell. They’re doing it to stay in the game as the market changes. People expect choices now, and they’ll stick with a brand that can cover all their personal care needs. For an independent salon or barbershop, adding men’s waxing can bring in a ton of new revenue. You’re expanding your customer base with a service that has a much higher price point than a basic haircut. But you can’t just put it on the menu and call it a day. Your estheticians need proper training on male hair patterns (which are different) and how to make the experience comfortable and discreet. Your marketing has to be smart, too, hitting on the benefits that men care about, like saving time, feeling cleaner, and getting long-lasting results, instead of just talking about looks. I’ve seen firsthand how a salon can completely transform its male clientele with a well-trained staff and the right marketing. You have to build a place where men feel like they belong, not like they’re an afterthought.

The Future of Male Hair Removal: Innovation and Integration

So what’s next? The men’s hair removal market is only going to get more specialized. We’ll probably see better wax formulas made just for coarse male hair and sensitive areas. There will be a bigger push for pre- and post-wax products for men, with stuff that actually works on ingrowns and irritation, all wrapped in masculine packaging and scents. Technology will probably get involved, maybe with apps that give you personalized product advice based on your skin and hair type. The line between doing it yourself at home and going to a pro will also get blurrier. While a professional wax gives you the best results (and you don’t have to do the painful part yourself), there will always be guys who want a good at-home option. The brands that figure out how to serve both markets, maybe with high-quality home kits and a directory of trusted professionals, are going to win. At the end of the day, men just want hair removal that works, is comfortable, and doesn’t take forever. This is a real recalibration of grooming standards. The fact that giants like Dollar Shave Club are changing their whole strategy shows that waxing for men has gone from a weird, niche thing to a totally normal preference. Any business that jumps on this demand for effective, long-lasting hair removal is going to be in a great spot for years to come.