The History of a Man’s Body Hair: Why It’s Not a New Thing

Alright class, settle down. Professor Gary is in session.

Today, we’re tackling a big topic: the history of men’s grooming. I know what some of you are thinking. You hear “men’s grooming,” and you picture a modern, recent trend—something born out of social media and men’s magazines in the last 20 years. You might even have a nagging voice in the back of your head, fed by the loudmouths on the internet, that says caring about your body hair is somehow a new or “unmanly” thing to do.

I’m here today to tell you that is historically, factually, and fundamentally wrong.

Men have been obsessing over, styling, removing, and cultivating their body hair to send a message for literally thousands of years. So, the next time you book a wax or trim, know this: you’re not being trendy. You’re being traditional.

The Original Minimalists: Ancient Egypt, Greece & Rome

Let’s start at the beginning. The original pioneers of the full-body wax weren’t models in the 2000s; they were the most powerful and respected men in the ancient world. In Ancient Egypt, being completely hairless was a sign of nobility and purity. Priests and pharaohs removed every hair from their bodies with early forms of sugaring, bronze razors, and tweezers.

The ancient Greeks and Romans took it to the next level. You’ve seen their statues—their gods, their athletes, their heroes. Are they rocking a fuzzy chest? No. They are smooth. For them, a hairless body was a symbol of civilization, youth, and beauty. It was the only proper way to showcase a physique honed by sport and battle. So, the next time you think a Male Brazilian is a modern invention, remember you’re just channeling your inner Caesar.

The Great Hirsute Period: The Victorians & The ’70s

Of course, the pendulum always swings. In the Victorian era and again in the 1960s and ’70s, the ideal of masculinity swung back hard in the other direction. A hairy chest, a full beard, and a more “natural” look became the symbols of virility and raw power. Think of Burt Reynolds. It was a rugged, unapologetic look that was a direct reaction to the clean-cut eras that came before it. It was still a choice, still a style, still a statement.

The Rise of the “Metrosexual”: The Late ’90s & 2000s

Then, the pendulum swung back again. The term “manscaping” exploded into the popular vocabulary. It was the era of David Beckham. A clean chest, a happy trail, and a smooth back became the new standard for a man who was athletic, stylish, and put-together. This is the era most of us remember, and the one that laid the groundwork for today.

So, What Era Are We In Now?

This is the most important part of the lesson. We’ve seen the pendulum swing between smooth and hairy for centuries. But for the first time in history, the pendulum has stopped in the middle.

We are living in the Era of Personal Choice.

There is no single dominant trend. The “Naturalist,” “The Aesthete,” “The Minimalist”—all the grooming archetypes—can and do coexist. Today, the ultimate sign of a confident, modern man isn’t how much hair he has or doesn’t have. It’s that his look is intentional.

It’s about making a conscious choice about how you want to present yourself to the world, and then owning that choice. That’s it. Whether you’re trimmed, waxed, or natural, if it’s a deliberate choice that makes you feel good, it’s the right choice.

Your Place in History

So, what have we learned? We’ve learned that men have always used grooming to signal something about themselves—class, power, ruggedness, or style. The signal we send today is one of self-respect.

Whether you’re looking to channel a Roman Gladiator or just a more polished version of yourself, the point is to make a choice. When you’re ready to create your own signature look, class is in session at my studio.