Survey said they wished they could change their body hair -- more than any other physical attribute, including muscularity. But while shaving isn't for everyone, athletes have been lathering up and blading down for years. In many sports, a hairless epidermis can make you faster, safer and generally more comfortable.
Bicycle legs
Cyclists are probably the group of athletes best known for going under the razor. But there's more to shaving than just making their gastrocs look awesome. "The main reason cyclists shave is in case of a crash," says former Olympic cycling coach Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D. "[With hair], your skin grabs more asphalt and you tend to get greater tearing or abrasions. Second, it's a heck of a lot easier to clean the wound and bandage it without all that hair to deal with."
The easiest place to wield a blade is in the shower. First-timers may want to clip some of the excess hair with scissors or the trimmer on an electric razor. After letting the hot water open your pores, lather up--hair conditioner works really well--and shave in upward strokes. Clean shaves last only about three days and regrowth can be itchy, so this might become a semiweekly routine.
Swimmer's torso
"If a man's chest is really hairy, it can be hot, itchy and irritating," says Janice Cook, director of spa operations at Chicago's Mario Triccoci Salons. Guys who strength-train in tank tops or run shirtless often don't appreciate the extra coat. And when was the last time you saw an elite swimmer wearing a hair vest? "Competitive swimmers shave just before an important meet to increase their senses and decrease their drag in the water," says Mary Wagner, a spokeswoman for the United States Olympic swim team.
There are three real options for a hairy torso: shave, wax and laser. The biggest drawback to shaving is that you need a willing party to assist with places you can't reach, and most guys have friends who will only go so far so often. A salon wax will last for up to four weeks, but many guys don't like the pain and don't go back for seconds. Permanent removal with a laser costs from $800 to $1,500; it works best on light skin/dark hair combinations, but not as well on dark-skinned guys, blonds and redheads.
Bodybuilder's body
Certain athletes are known for gleamingly smooth physiques. "A hairless body shows a lot more definition," explains Cynthia James, a body-shaving expert who works with professional bodybuilders, wrestlers and boxers. Hairs cast shadows, which tend to obscure muscle detail.
The best shaving strategy is to sit in a hot bath with a moisturizing oil, such as apricot or sunflower oil. Then shave against the grain with a combination of hair conditioner and shaving cream. You'll have to exfoliate the skin every 24 hours-using a tough luffa sponge, or you'll run into irritating ingrown hairs.
For those tricky nooks and crannies such as the Adam's apple and the collarbone, lasering is a good solution. So is electrolysis, or zapping each follicle with an electric needle; it's a tedious process that is too time-consuming for large areas. A less expensive option is a depilatory -- a lotion or gel formulated to dissolve hair just under the skin's surface. While they can be odorous and potentially irritating, one skin-friendly choice is Sally Hansen's Sponge-On Hair Remover ($6). Results last for about a week.
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