Hair Today Gone Tomorrow
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Hair Today Gone Tomorrow
I suspect I'll take a lot of grief from those who don't admit it, but my passion for cycling includes the removal of body hair. Yeah, I said it! For those of you compelled to tell me why I shouldn't, don't bother.
I have never used a razor on my body, choosing instead to use a depilatory. My product of choice is Nair. I have to say that the worst part of the experience is the itching that ensues 24 to 36 hours later, and lasts about three days! As long as I can remain relatively stationary, I can keep the itching to a minimum. At night I take Benadryl, which seems to help.
Recently I switched from Nair to a comparable product from Veet. Veet is a gel which, like Nair, you apply and then wait a few minutes. I've used it two times, and both times wound up with chemical burns on my arms! Why, you might ask, did I use it again after getting burned the first time? Well, I wanted to eliminate the possibility that I had misused it. What was interesting was that there were no preliminary symptoms to indicate a problem – no itching, no burning or tenderness. After about two days I noticed that the skin on my arms and had begun to peel! It took several weeks for my skin to return to normal! Only my arms were adversely affected. I don't recall ever having this problem when I used Nair. The only reason I switched was because I thought that the Veet product would be easier to dispense and might smell better.
I was just wondering what others have experienced and whether anyone would be willing to share their regimen or make a recommendation.
I have never used a razor on my body, choosing instead to use a depilatory. My product of choice is Nair. I have to say that the worst part of the experience is the itching that ensues 24 to 36 hours later, and lasts about three days! As long as I can remain relatively stationary, I can keep the itching to a minimum. At night I take Benadryl, which seems to help.
Recently I switched from Nair to a comparable product from Veet. Veet is a gel which, like Nair, you apply and then wait a few minutes. I've used it two times, and both times wound up with chemical burns on my arms! Why, you might ask, did I use it again after getting burned the first time? Well, I wanted to eliminate the possibility that I had misused it. What was interesting was that there were no preliminary symptoms to indicate a problem – no itching, no burning or tenderness. After about two days I noticed that the skin on my arms and had begun to peel! It took several weeks for my skin to return to normal! Only my arms were adversely affected. I don't recall ever having this problem when I used Nair. The only reason I switched was because I thought that the Veet product would be easier to dispense and might smell better.
I was just wondering what others have experienced and whether anyone would be willing to share their regimen or make a recommendation.
#2
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I don't but my son does. He's a wrestler and getting the hair on your legs pulled out hurts and breaks his concentration. He used a Wahl trimmer and razor to touch up.
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I just use a razor. Once a week is plenty.
#4
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Seems like you have had some good times there. Yikes. I shave my face as needed. What does hair have to do with biking?
#5
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Retired , A Wahl grooming clipper is what I use rather than shaving my face ,
It is fast and the 2 day growth goes back to a 5:00 shadow,
though since the beard hair is white it's not much of a shadow.
It is fast and the 2 day growth goes back to a 5:00 shadow,
though since the beard hair is white it's not much of a shadow.
#6
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have you tried a Neutralizing product after Nair?
https://www.amazon.com/Epil-Stop-Per.../dp/B0016KM5YC
https://www.amazon.com/Epil-Stop-Per.../dp/B0016KM5YC
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Benadryl to sleep? Chemical burns? So not worth it.
When I did shave it was my legs only and then a quick once over with Wahl trimmers and done. Now I just ride and don't worry about it.
No one is looking at my body except me and I've seen it enough not to care any more.
-Tim-
When I did shave it was my legs only and then a quick once over with Wahl trimmers and done. Now I just ride and don't worry about it.
No one is looking at my body except me and I've seen it enough not to care any more.
-Tim-
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+1 But since I don't race anymore (its been over 10 years), I've gotten a bit lazy and skip the razor part. Just use the Wahl trimmer with a #1 attachment. Leaves short hair that looks ok to me. But it may not be as sexy as fully shaved. But having said that, some women (or men) may not like their partner to shave their legs. My wife is in that camp. She says she might as well date a woman if she wanted that...
Last edited by ptempel; 06-23-16 at 02:07 PM.
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Clippers every few weeks works for me.
Here's a story that may cause you to rethink your shaving.
Here's a story that may cause you to rethink your shaving.
CAUTION!!!
Don't shave your legs! Really. You're asking for trouble!
I have to warn all of you about one seldom talked about danger of shaving your legs...
In the early 1980s, I was in my mid twenties, buff & toned, and a fast enough cyclist to stand a chance in local races. Naturally, to gain acceptance from the Bike Powers That Be, (or Were) I made sure that my legs were as smooth as those of the girls at the Cheetah III.
Trouble is, I got to really liking the ritual... you know, buying women's skin-care products, sinking into a hot bath and shaving, the cremes and lotions... I began to shave my armpits, just for the heck of it. I kept my facial stubble all-but-invisible.
One day, I came across a stash of makeup leftover from an ex-girlfriend who had halfway moved in. A little eyeliner to bring out my eyes, just a tiny bit of lip gloss for the Bardot look...
Somebody, somewhere, should be saying "uh oh..."
Before too long, I was wearing silk panties under my Nashbar eight-panel shorts, and I occasionally ordered plus sizes from the women's clothing section of the bike catalogs.
Since I had an extremely masculine hairline... as in: already balding at age 24... I waited until Halloween and bought a really nice "Cher" wig from the Sally Beauty Supply Company. Nobody though it was weird... they just figured that I had a costume party to go to.
The ruse was complete. By 1983 I was a full fledged transvestite biker. I'd go on mixed rides sponsored by LBSs in full bikerette drag, and I answered to "Lydia." The guys would all hit on me, the girls looked at me as if I was from some other planet.
It gets worse. I'd dress out in transvestite biker casual clothes and wander into bike shops. Bike wrenches, known for their lack of respect from the opposite sex, would fall all over this muscular young lady who came it to check out this years' machines. None of the guys ever suspected... James, you know who you are!
I began thinking... "Hey, I'm short and thinly built... I'll bet I could pass as a 'she' in a bike race. Hmmmm, I could compete as a woman, and smoke the real ones. This was probably the only way I was ever gonna win a race.
I entered, I competed, I won. And won. And won. By 1987, I had a rep as a seriously fast and powerful biker, who just might be a ****... nobody knew for sure. Then one day on a hilly stage of a race in the Blue Ridge, it happenned... I crashed. Bad. CPR on the scene, life support in the ambulance, multiple surgeries at the hospital.
And every cyclist in four states found out that I was a man. Reputation: torpedoed & sunk. Race career: way beyond over.
Legal problems became serious... It seems that misrepresentation of gender for financial gain is a federal crime.
It took the intervention of the Federal Witness Protection Program (God bless those guys!) and my agreement to turn state's evidence on a huge transvestite & transsexual sports racket... to get me clear of all this trouble. I changed my name, grew a beard, let my leg, chest, back, and 'pit hair grow out... and kept a very low profile.
For years, I didn't dare ride a bike, but I gradually grew brave enough to sneak out at dawn or dusk. Today, I ride dilletante-style comfort bikes, with toe clip pedals and rear parcel racks. I dress macho, too... black & white vans, baggy shorts, and tank tops that show off all that body hair. I make sure that everyone sees that I'm bald.
I ride in the shadows, on the fringe of society, careful not to draw any attention to who I was or what I did. "Lydia" is long gone, and I am nothing without her.
ALL BECAUSE I USED TO SHAVE MY LEGS!!!
Don't shave your legs! Really. You're asking for trouble!
I have to warn all of you about one seldom talked about danger of shaving your legs...
In the early 1980s, I was in my mid twenties, buff & toned, and a fast enough cyclist to stand a chance in local races. Naturally, to gain acceptance from the Bike Powers That Be, (or Were) I made sure that my legs were as smooth as those of the girls at the Cheetah III.
Trouble is, I got to really liking the ritual... you know, buying women's skin-care products, sinking into a hot bath and shaving, the cremes and lotions... I began to shave my armpits, just for the heck of it. I kept my facial stubble all-but-invisible.
One day, I came across a stash of makeup leftover from an ex-girlfriend who had halfway moved in. A little eyeliner to bring out my eyes, just a tiny bit of lip gloss for the Bardot look...
Somebody, somewhere, should be saying "uh oh..."
Before too long, I was wearing silk panties under my Nashbar eight-panel shorts, and I occasionally ordered plus sizes from the women's clothing section of the bike catalogs.
Since I had an extremely masculine hairline... as in: already balding at age 24... I waited until Halloween and bought a really nice "Cher" wig from the Sally Beauty Supply Company. Nobody though it was weird... they just figured that I had a costume party to go to.
The ruse was complete. By 1983 I was a full fledged transvestite biker. I'd go on mixed rides sponsored by LBSs in full bikerette drag, and I answered to "Lydia." The guys would all hit on me, the girls looked at me as if I was from some other planet.
It gets worse. I'd dress out in transvestite biker casual clothes and wander into bike shops. Bike wrenches, known for their lack of respect from the opposite sex, would fall all over this muscular young lady who came it to check out this years' machines. None of the guys ever suspected... James, you know who you are!
I began thinking... "Hey, I'm short and thinly built... I'll bet I could pass as a 'she' in a bike race. Hmmmm, I could compete as a woman, and smoke the real ones. This was probably the only way I was ever gonna win a race.
I entered, I competed, I won. And won. And won. By 1987, I had a rep as a seriously fast and powerful biker, who just might be a ****... nobody knew for sure. Then one day on a hilly stage of a race in the Blue Ridge, it happenned... I crashed. Bad. CPR on the scene, life support in the ambulance, multiple surgeries at the hospital.
And every cyclist in four states found out that I was a man. Reputation: torpedoed & sunk. Race career: way beyond over.
Legal problems became serious... It seems that misrepresentation of gender for financial gain is a federal crime.
It took the intervention of the Federal Witness Protection Program (God bless those guys!) and my agreement to turn state's evidence on a huge transvestite & transsexual sports racket... to get me clear of all this trouble. I changed my name, grew a beard, let my leg, chest, back, and 'pit hair grow out... and kept a very low profile.
For years, I didn't dare ride a bike, but I gradually grew brave enough to sneak out at dawn or dusk. Today, I ride dilletante-style comfort bikes, with toe clip pedals and rear parcel racks. I dress macho, too... black & white vans, baggy shorts, and tank tops that show off all that body hair. I make sure that everyone sees that I'm bald.
I ride in the shadows, on the fringe of society, careful not to draw any attention to who I was or what I did. "Lydia" is long gone, and I am nothing without her.
ALL BECAUSE I USED TO SHAVE MY LEGS!!!
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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Iv had the opposite experience with the two--
I think Nair first came out when i was in middle school...I remember all the girls talking about how great it was and so ofcourse I tried it. I hated and still hate shaving, so why a man would want to deal with it is beyond me lol It gave me and my closest girlfriend burns on our legs though.
When Veet came out awhile later, IIRC, being advertised as easier on the skin, I quickly tried that one. It never left any burns or itchiness. They came out with better, softer, moisturizing versions also which were great; No lotion needed afterwards.
Im pretty sure they say on them to test a small patch of skin first. Which is what my girlfriend and i did with the Nair...It was fine until we did our entire legs! She also had a better experience with the Veet.
Honestly though, shaving and Veeting take about the same amount of time, and sometimes shaving is actually quicker. And some razor touch ups are sometimes needed anyway. The only plus i can see for Veet/Nair is that it takes about 2-3 weeks before the hair comes back.
I think Nair first came out when i was in middle school...I remember all the girls talking about how great it was and so ofcourse I tried it. I hated and still hate shaving, so why a man would want to deal with it is beyond me lol It gave me and my closest girlfriend burns on our legs though.
When Veet came out awhile later, IIRC, being advertised as easier on the skin, I quickly tried that one. It never left any burns or itchiness. They came out with better, softer, moisturizing versions also which were great; No lotion needed afterwards.
Im pretty sure they say on them to test a small patch of skin first. Which is what my girlfriend and i did with the Nair...It was fine until we did our entire legs! She also had a better experience with the Veet.
Honestly though, shaving and Veeting take about the same amount of time, and sometimes shaving is actually quicker. And some razor touch ups are sometimes needed anyway. The only plus i can see for Veet/Nair is that it takes about 2-3 weeks before the hair comes back.
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ya kno, could be way "worse".... they could've tried some finasteride for the hair loss, then realized it had other feminizing effects..... another year passes, estrogen, a few more years, maybe this person is actually fully feminized, happy with themself, perhaps no more late night existential identity crises or depression! wouldn't that just be "awful", a huge loss for team masculinity. wouldn't be the first time i heard a story like that tho!
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well if yall men are REALLY careful, i'll let you in on some secrets
there are some electric razors out there made specifically for body hair. tho mens hair is often coarser, so i doubt you'll have much luck with pubes - probably for the best, they do a lot to keep the skin happy down there.
i suppose u men might want to keep in mind where to start/end..... at least i know with SOME people just have SO MUCH hair that shaving the just the "legs" and not the feet or other nearby regions is much easier said than done.
in any case, use this ***WARNING, ITS PINK, USE CAUTION. CONSIDER ASKING FEMALE HOUSEMATES TO LOCK THEIR LINGERIE IN THE SAFE***
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-ES2...anasonic+razor
srsly tho this thing is amazing. it will take 10 minutes every other day and its nowhere near as terrifying as those harsh chemical products (well..... unless the fear of losing precious masculinity is THAT great)
there are some electric razors out there made specifically for body hair. tho mens hair is often coarser, so i doubt you'll have much luck with pubes - probably for the best, they do a lot to keep the skin happy down there.
i suppose u men might want to keep in mind where to start/end..... at least i know with SOME people just have SO MUCH hair that shaving the just the "legs" and not the feet or other nearby regions is much easier said than done.
in any case, use this ***WARNING, ITS PINK, USE CAUTION. CONSIDER ASKING FEMALE HOUSEMATES TO LOCK THEIR LINGERIE IN THE SAFE***
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-ES2...anasonic+razor
srsly tho this thing is amazing. it will take 10 minutes every other day and its nowhere near as terrifying as those harsh chemical products (well..... unless the fear of losing precious masculinity is THAT great)
#15
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My Italian heritage means I shave my legs before a race as a weight saving exercise, wahl clippers do the trick, the world is toxic enough as it is so forget the chemical products..
#16
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No opinion about the shaving. Your body, your aesthetics, do what you like. I shaved when I was younger and raced -- helped a lot treating road rash first time I crashed.
But you should find another method that doesn't irritate the skin so much that you need anything other than a soak in an epsom salt bath or skin lotion.
And you should stop taking Benadryl routinely. Save it for emergencies. I carry it in a first aid kit as treatment for wasp stings, that sort of thing, in case I encounter anyone who has severe allergic reactions.
Benadryl is an anticholinergic, and recently linked to an increased risk of dementia later in life. And the initial studies indicate the damage may be irreversible.
While anticholinergics may offer some relief for certain specific symptoms (Parkinson's tremors, for some but not all patients), some patients may experience extreme problems with disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, a whole host of nasty side effects. I've seen it with some older family members. Bad pookie.
Unfortunately some commonly available OTC cough and cold meds contain multiple anticholinergics. NyQuil and generic versions may contain diphenhydramine, chlorphenaramine and doxylamine succinate -- all anticholinergics, all potentially risky for cognitive functions.
But you should find another method that doesn't irritate the skin so much that you need anything other than a soak in an epsom salt bath or skin lotion.
And you should stop taking Benadryl routinely. Save it for emergencies. I carry it in a first aid kit as treatment for wasp stings, that sort of thing, in case I encounter anyone who has severe allergic reactions.
Benadryl is an anticholinergic, and recently linked to an increased risk of dementia later in life. And the initial studies indicate the damage may be irreversible.
While anticholinergics may offer some relief for certain specific symptoms (Parkinson's tremors, for some but not all patients), some patients may experience extreme problems with disorientation, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, a whole host of nasty side effects. I've seen it with some older family members. Bad pookie.
Unfortunately some commonly available OTC cough and cold meds contain multiple anticholinergics. NyQuil and generic versions may contain diphenhydramine, chlorphenaramine and doxylamine succinate -- all anticholinergics, all potentially risky for cognitive functions.
#17
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For really great fun in removing hair try waxing. LOL
Cheers
Cheers
#18
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I like the feel and look of no body hair. I tried the depilatory, shaving, and waxing. Depilatorys are messy and usually cause burns, irritation, or some sort of allergic reaction, don't recommend. Shaving leaves a bit of itchyness after a few days. Waxing is definitely the way to go. Smooth skin for weeks as long as you can endure the pain. When I feel my body hair gets too long I use a trimmer on the lowest setting.
#19
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Yeah, and shaving cuts the wind resistance, too.
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Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
#20
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Eventually, I decided to go with my Wahl electric clippers. Although not as thorough, neither are they as messy! I chose the hair clippers as opposed to the groomer, because I can remove more hair with each stroke.
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I don't understand the problem people have shaving their legs, arms, whatever. I just take a shower and lather up with body wash then use a cheap Gillette disposable razor. Rarely ever nick myself, no itching or nothing. I do it about every other day, because in my opinion, it looks good. That's just me.
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