Male Chest Hair Removal – The Best Products
With so many products on the market - who has the time to troll the internet researching products, when all you want to do is get rid of your unwanted chest hair and get out there and bare all?
Well - we have done the donkey work for you and picked some of the best products currently on the market, based on sales and customer satisfaction (reviews).
Shaving Products
Electric Shavers
Philips Norelco BG2040/34 Bodygroom 7100
An ideal all-in-one shaver/trimmer. Suitable for use everywhere on your body, it works wet or dry, so it can be used in the shower or on the go. Click here for full review
A combination of a powered body trimmer and Gillette Fusion wet shaving technology for all-round body grooming - great value for money Click here for full review
Manual Shaver
With a rounded, pivoting head and 3 lubricating strips, this shaver is designed specifically for use on the body. So if a manual shave is your preference, and you want a good, low cost product - look no further!
Shaving Creams and Gels
Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Super-Slick Shave Cream
For a shaving lubricant that will give you a smooth, close shave with no nicks or cuts - look no further. Contains no alcohol or menthol - kind to sensitive skin.
Bottle size 8 fl oz - quite pricey but a little goes a long way!
Nivea Men Sensitive Shaving Gel
Comes in a 7oz can - great for sensitive skin, containing no alcohol or scent and fantastic value for money at just over $3.
Number 1 best seller shaving gel on Amazon, with an impressive 4.5 stars from more than 300 reviews.
An inexpensive pre-shave lotion with green tea complex, for a smooth, close shave specially designed for use with electric shavers.
Ingredients include SD Alcohol 40-D
Post Shave Skincare
Lubriderm Men's 3-in-1 Lotion - Body, Face and Post-shave
This light, non-greasy, versatile lotion comes in a 16oz bottle, so great on a budget, and can be used for face, body and post-shave.
It is good for moisturizing after shaving and contains Aloe Vera to soothe the skin.
Elemis Tea Tree SOS Spray, 2.1oz
Naturally antiseptic, this tea tree oil can be sprayed lightly over chest after shaving to soothe razor burn and prevent outbreaks.
Expensive for the size of bottle, but can be used sparingly to good effect.
Waxing
Waxing Kits
MOOM 4 Men Hair Removal System Kit
Barebones at home waxing kit, good for sensitive skin and value for money on a low budget. Click here for full review.
Extra Strength Hair Removal Waxing Kit Men + Women, All Natural (10 oz)
Unisex, extra strength formula for thick, coarse hair - includes 2 spatulas, 2 cleaning towelettes and 8 wax strips
Waxing Extras
Non-Woven Hair Removal Waxing Strips (100)
Extra durable to prevent tearing, each strip measure 3" x 9" - suitable for all parts of the body.
Large Wax Applicators/Spatulas (100)
Extra wooden spatulas for wax application. Advisable to buy additional spatulas - and this pack should last for some time!
Depilatory Creams
Nair for Men Body Hair Removal Cream 13oz
Quick and easy to use, with pleasant, masculine scent. Price for a 3-pack. Click here for full review.
Veet for Men Hair Removal Gel Cream
Specifically designed for use on the body. A fast, painless and efficient way to remove hair from large areas. Click here for full review.
Chest Hair Removal Methods - Pros and Cons
Shaving
The obvious advantages of shaving chest hair is that it is quick, easy and relatively inexpensive, however you will need to keep shaving the area very regularly to keep stubble at bay.
If it is your normal practice to shower daily, you can make it part of your routine - ideally hair should be warm and wet prior to shaving, to soften it and ensure that it is standing up, for a good close shave.
Whether you opt for a manual shaver or electric bodygroomer (if it is a wet & dry shaver) you can reduce the risk of razor burn by use of shaving creams, gels and oils.
For more tips about good shaving techniques for sensitive skin and recommended products see our article Best Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin?
Pros of Shaving
- Relatively inexpensive - after initial outlay
- Convenient - can be done quickly, in the shower as part of daily routine
- Can use gels, foams and oils to reduce irritation
- Painless
- It's easy - very little practice needed to become proficient
Cons of Shaving
- Can cause ingrown hairs and/or razor burn
- Hair grows back quickly - so need to shave daily, or at least very frequently
Waxing
Waxing is similar to plucking on a much wider area, in that it also pulls out the hair at the root. Therefore it is the longest lasting of the options for chest hair removal at home - between 3 - 6 weeks.
It will take some practice to develop a good technique for home waxing and if you have never tried it before we recommend that you read our article: The Ultimate Guide to Waxing Hair Removal.
Obviously, the very nature of pulling our hair from the root, means that there will be a pain element. How bearable this is varies by individual - you can read about available pain relief priducts in our in-depth article: Best Products to Relieve the Pain While Waxing
It is also worth noting that hair needs to have grown back to at least 1/4" long (but not longer than 1") to be successfully waxed, so if you never want to have the hair showing, this will not be for you.
Pros of Waxing
- Lasts a while - hair is pulled out at the root, and so takes longer to grow back than shaving
- Quick - once technique is perfected
- Leaves skin very smooth
- Regular waxing can lead to thinning of hair
- Relatively easy - given practice
- No unsightly stubble
Cons of Waxing
- It's one of the more painful methods of hair removal
- The hair has to be fairly long in order to remove it effectively with wax
- Relatively costly - continuous need to purchase
- Can lead to ingrown hairs or infection
- Can be messy
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams work by breaking down the protein in hair, dissolving it below the surface of the skin, to leave it smooth and hair-free.
It is relatively simple and does not take too long - the cream is spread evenly over the treatment area and left for anything between 3 - 10 minutes maximum. The cream is then gently wiped away, taking the hair with it.
It is very important to carry out a patch test on a small area 24 hours prior to use to test your skin's reaction.
The Cream must never be left on longer than the maximum time stated in the manufacturer's instructions - to avoid risk of chemical burns
It is normal to experience a slight tingling of the skin during use, but if this develops into anything more, thoroughly rinse the area immediately and do not use the product.
The results can last for several days - and in some cases up to 2 weeks, depending on individual hair growth rates. You should, in any case, allow at least 72 hours between treatments (or longer depending on manufacturers instructions).
Historically, depilatory creams have been known for having a strong, unpleasant odour. Whilst this is still often the case, it is now possible to find some which are less offensive.
Depilatory creams are particularly suited to those with thinner, less dense hair.
Pros of Depilatory Creams
- Longer lasting than shaving (not as long as waxing) - hair is dissolved below the surface of the skin
- Leaves skin smooth
- Easy to use - smooth on, rinse off
- Painless
- No stubbly regrowth
Cons of Depilatory Creams
- Strong chemicals used - can cause irritation/chemical burn
- Some depilitory creams have strong, unpleasant odour
- Can be messy
- Can prove costly, over time
