More local men waxing lyrical

Body hair removal is on the rise among Wairarapa men - with some even opting for the full "manzilian", a local beauty therapist has revealed.

A new international online survey, conducted by Auckland University's Virginia Braun, and Gareth Terry from the Open University in the United Kingdom, quizzed nearly 600 people aged 18-35 on their body hair grooming habits.

It found that while body hair was still considered more acceptable on men than on the fairer sex - except on the back or shoulders - male body hair was not seen as particularly desirable.

Masterton's Ali'i Beauty Therapy owner Gayle Atack said while Wairarapa farmers were less likely to get the full treatment, male body waxing was definitely becoming more popular among local men.

"You'd find a greater number in places like Wellington, where there's less of the hardy farming stock and more of the metrosexuals."

But the last couple of years had seen more local men coming to the clinic with hair removal requests, she said.

Her clinic did everything from chest hair removal to full male brazilians, but back waxes were the most popular.

Even though men were becoming more comfortable with the idea of hair removal, they still weren't likely to talk about it with their mates, she said.

And most men preferred to go to small clinics like Ali'i where they could be anonymous, Ms Atack added.

Red Eleven modelling agency co-director Amanda Betts said hair removal was increasingly common among male Kiwi models.

"Men are all of a sudden placing value on beauty products and beauty services. It's becoming increasingly as important to them as what it is to our female talent."

Men were also experimenting with different hair removal strategies and more aware of what worked best.

"It's about personal choice. Some men see body hair as an identity, while others couldn't get it off fast enough."

Some clients still requested body hair, especially the "five o'clock shadow", to convey a sense of effortlessness and manhood. But a hairy back was "never acceptable".

Wellington beauty salon Shannons owner Deborah Shannon said back and leg hair removal procedures were most popular for men in their mid to late-20s. "Metrosexuals - they certainly are conscious of it and certainly do want to be quite well groomed."

However, men in their 50s also had their backs waxed.

"They're quite conscious [of hair] and they just feel better after it."

Ms Shannon, who has worked in the industry for 27 years, said only women visited salons when she started.

"It's been a very gradual [increase], but definitely the younger guys prefer to be more hair-free." APNZ