Leg shaving: Difference between revisions
→Women: Changed 'the majority of' to 'many' as claiming the majority of women do something without any form of citation is just silly. |
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{{Short description|Cultural grooming practice}} |
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'''Leg shaving''' is the practice of removing [[leg hair]] using a [[razor]]. It is a very common practice among women in [[Western countries]], and is also done occasionally by some male bicyclists and swimmers. In addition to [[shaving]] the hair off, some individuals may use [[waxing]], [[sugaring]], [[depilation|depilatories]], [[epilation device]]s, or [[laser]]s to remove the hair. These hair-removal methods are often also practiced on the [[Underarm shaving|underarms]] and [[Pubic hair|pubic hair]] (known to shavers as the "bikini line"). |
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{{more citations needed|date=July 2011}} |
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[[File:Mujer afeitando sus piernas.jpg|thumb|250px|Woman shaving her legs]] |
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Some hold the belief that, once shaving commences, the hair will grow out more thickly. However, this is a myth. The resulting stubble only makes the hairs ''seem'' to be thicker. |
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'''Leg shaving''' is the practice of removing [[leg hair]] by [[shaving]] the hair off using a [[razor]] or [[electric shaver]]. In addition, some people remove leg hair using [[waxing]], [[sugaring (epilation)|sugaring]], [[depilation|depilatories]], [[epilator]]s or other depilation [[Tool|device]]s, or [[laser hair removal|lasers]], but shaving remains the least expensive and one of the least painful methods. |
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Shaving can be done with an electric razor or a regular, manual one. If a non-electric razor is used, some lathering agent such as soap or a special "shaving cream" or foam should be applied to the legs first, if a painful [[razor burn]] is to be avoided. |
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It is a very common practice among women in the [[western world]], and is also done by some men, especially [[bodybuilder]]s, [[cycle sport|cyclists]], [[swimming (sport)|swimmers]], and some [[runner]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/why-women-feel-pressured-to-shave/index.html|title=Why women feel pressured to shave|author=Marianna Cerini|website=CNN|date=3 March 2020 }}</ref> |
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==Leg Shaving for Men== |
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==By gender== |
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Certain male bicyclists who shave their legs often do so ostensibly because road rash or scrapes heal faster without the presence of leg hair. However, its primary purpose may be to serve as a means of establishing membership in a community of peers. Swimmers shave their legs to reduce friction in the water. |
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===Women=== |
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{{Globalize|section|date=October 2016}} |
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In Western countries, many women engage in leg shaving{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}, doing so largely for [[aesthetic]] reasons. This practice has developed especially since the early 20th century,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/5/22/8640457/leg-shaving-history|title=How the beauty industry convinced women to shave their legs|first=Phil|last=Edwards|date=May 22, 2015|website=Vox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-24368,00.html|title=When did women start shaving their legs? Was there some other method of leg hair removal before disposable blades? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk|website=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> around the time of the [[First World War]], as [[hemline]]s on women's dresses have become shorter and women's [[swimsuit]]s have become more revealing, displaying all of a woman's legs.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hope|first=Christine|year=1982|title=Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture|journal=Journal of American Culture|volume=5|issue=1|pages=93–99|doi=10.1111/j.1542-734X.1982.0501_93.x}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/625/who-decided-women-should-shave-their-legs-and-underarms |title=Who decided women should shave their legs and underarms? |last1=Adams |first1=Cecil |date=1991-02-06 |website=The Straight Dope |access-date=2015-01-22}}</ref> |
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Some women may only shave the hair below the knee – depending on the length of dress styles in fashion – while others shave the entire leg.<ref name=depilatory>{{cite web|title=History of Hair Removal — In the 20th Century|url=http://www.depilatory.com/core/twentieth.html|website=Marzena Waxing site|access-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028055037/http://www.depilatory.com/core/twentieth.html|archive-date=2010-10-28|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The frequency of shaving also varies, with some women shaving their legs every day, and others shaving only at the start of summer, in anticipation of the wearing of a swimsuit{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}. |
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==Leg Shaving for Women== |
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Special razors, different in shape from those used by men for face-shaving, are often used by women{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}. |
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===Men=== |
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For women, the practice of shaving the legs derives from a relatively recent cultural standard in the West that deems leg hair on women unattractive. This standard emerged during the [[twentieth century]], at a time when women's legs became more visible, and when the [[safety razor]] made the practice of leg shaving practical. The reasons for this cultural standard are debated, but this is sometimes seen as an example of a cultural mechanism for increasing [[sexual dimorphism]]. Others have suggested that it was promoted as a means of selling razors to a broader segment of the populace. |
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Among Western men, the shaving of legs is common in sporting situations and in fact has been taking place for longer than women shaving their legs.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} Male leg hair removal in modern times was initially related to sports{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}, though it is now more frequently done for aesthetics.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} |
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For sports such as cycling and swimming, men started shaving their legs around the turn of the 20th century.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} Most male swimmers, bicycle racers, and some male non-racers shave their legs regularly.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The practice is most useful in long-distance swimming, where the effects of drag can cause a significant time difference in races over 400 meters. Other reasons cyclists shave include: faster healing and easier cleaning of [[road rash]], less pain during leg massage{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}. |
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Depending on the amount of hair on their legs or the amount of the woman's patience, some women may only shave the hair below the knee, while others shave the entire leg. The frequency of shaving also varies from individual to individual. Some shave as often as every day, and others may not bother to shave at all during winter months when their legs aren't visible to the public. |
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Women who shave their legs typically do so either while bathing or showering. |
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[[Seneca the Younger|Seneca]] suggested that in ancient Rome it was considered an ostentatious bit of effeminacy, contrary to [[underarm hair]] removal: "One is, I believe, as faulty as the other: the one class are unreasonably elaborate, the other are unreasonably negligent; the former depilate the leg, the latter not even the armpit" ([[s:Moral letters to Lucilius/Letter 114|letter 114]]). Summers cites [[Ovid]], A. A. i. 506 "Don't rub your legs smooth with the tight-scraping pumice stone." |
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Some women, despite the social pressure for hairless legs in certain Western countries, simply never shave at all. While some refrain out of laziness or lack of concern, others do so consciously as a form of [[feminism|feminist]] revolt, protesting what they see as an unnatural and repressive societal double-standard. Still others refrain in an effort to be less environmentally wasteful. |
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Many athletes also shave their legs or bodies to facilitate therapeutic massage that is frequently a part of their training or post-race recovery programs{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}. They may also shave their legs if they tape protective gear to them to prevent the tape from pulling painfully on the hair when removed{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}. Shaving of the legs is also frequently practiced by [[male model]]s{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} and [[bodybuilder]]s, since it accentuates [[muscle]] definition. |
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Most women consider leg shaving to be a tedious activity, but some consider it is relaxing. They usually begin the practice at some point during their adolescence. It can serve as an unofficial "[[rite of passage]]" into womanhood in some countries. |
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==See also== |
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Special razors, somewhat different in shape from razors aimed at men who shave their faces, are often marketed at women. Advertising campaigns promote hair removal products, which, when applied to the woman's legs, allegedly will make them "sexy" or "silky smooth". |
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* [[Hair removal]] |
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* [[Hirsutism]] |
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* [[Underarm hair]] |
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* [[Waxing]] |
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==References== |
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Uncommon indenote one type of [[fetishism]] on [[Internet pornography|pornographic websites]]. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{Human hair}} |
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''See also:'' [[Depilation]], [[Hirsutism]], [[Underarm hair]], [[Pubic hair]], [[Waxing]] |
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[[Category:Shaving]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:06, 24 January 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2011) |
Leg shaving is the practice of removing leg hair by shaving the hair off using a razor or electric shaver. In addition, some people remove leg hair using waxing, sugaring, depilatories, epilators or other depilation devices, or lasers, but shaving remains the least expensive and one of the least painful methods.
It is a very common practice among women in the western world, and is also done by some men, especially bodybuilders, cyclists, swimmers, and some runners.[1]
By gender
[edit]Women
[edit] | The examples and perspective in this section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2016) |
In Western countries, many women engage in leg shaving[citation needed], doing so largely for aesthetic reasons. This practice has developed especially since the early 20th century,[2][3] around the time of the First World War, as hemlines on women's dresses have become shorter and women's swimsuits have become more revealing, displaying all of a woman's legs.[4][5]
Some women may only shave the hair below the knee – depending on the length of dress styles in fashion – while others shave the entire leg.[6] The frequency of shaving also varies, with some women shaving their legs every day, and others shaving only at the start of summer, in anticipation of the wearing of a swimsuit[citation needed]. Special razors, different in shape from those used by men for face-shaving, are often used by women[citation needed].
Men
[edit]Among Western men, the shaving of legs is common in sporting situations and in fact has been taking place for longer than women shaving their legs.[citation needed] Male leg hair removal in modern times was initially related to sports[citation needed], though it is now more frequently done for aesthetics.[citation needed]
For sports such as cycling and swimming, men started shaving their legs around the turn of the 20th century.[citation needed] Most male swimmers, bicycle racers, and some male non-racers shave their legs regularly.[citation needed] The practice is most useful in long-distance swimming, where the effects of drag can cause a significant time difference in races over 400 meters. Other reasons cyclists shave include: faster healing and easier cleaning of road rash, less pain during leg massage[citation needed].
Seneca suggested that in ancient Rome it was considered an ostentatious bit of effeminacy, contrary to underarm hair removal: "One is, I believe, as faulty as the other: the one class are unreasonably elaborate, the other are unreasonably negligent; the former depilate the leg, the latter not even the armpit" (letter 114). Summers cites Ovid, A. A. i. 506 "Don't rub your legs smooth with the tight-scraping pumice stone."
Many athletes also shave their legs or bodies to facilitate therapeutic massage that is frequently a part of their training or post-race recovery programs[citation needed]. They may also shave their legs if they tape protective gear to them to prevent the tape from pulling painfully on the hair when removed[citation needed]. Shaving of the legs is also frequently practiced by male models[citation needed] and bodybuilders, since it accentuates muscle definition.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Marianna Cerini (3 March 2020). "Why women feel pressured to shave". CNN.
- ^ Edwards, Phil (May 22, 2015). "How the beauty industry convinced women to shave their legs". Vox.
- ^ "When did women start shaving their legs? Was there some other method of leg hair removal before disposable blades? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk". www.theguardian.com.
- ^ Hope, Christine (1982). "Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture". Journal of American Culture. 5 (1): 93–99. doi:10.1111/j.1542-734X.1982.0501_93.x.
- ^ Adams, Cecil (1991-02-06). "Who decided women should shave their legs and underarms?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
- ^ "History of Hair Removal — In the 20th Century". Marzena Waxing site. Archived from the original on 2010-10-28. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)