Art, obsession, and identity
Women around the world have expressed the benefits of not having to shave or wax during the pandemic. This task is often painful, expensive, uncomfortable, and time-consuming. However, societal pressures have led many women to believe that shaving is a choice they must make. In reality, these so-called choices have been influenced by decades of social expectations.
Although many women begin hair removal at a young age, only a few understand the origins and reasons behind this trend. Throughout history, body hair has played a significant role in shaping gender roles, delineating social classes, defining femininity, and exerting control over women through shame. However, these notions are now undergoing transformation.
This article, based on information from CNN, explores the origins of hair removal, its proliferation, and the challenges it faces today. It sheds light on how societal expectations have influenced women's grooming habits and the current movement toward questioning and challenging these norms.
Hair removal was a practice that existed in ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire. It was not widely emphasized, but they utilized seashells, beeswax, and other depilatory methods to maintain bodily cleanliness.
Ancient Romans believed that smooth, hairless skin represented elegance and purity, and this belief applied to both genders.
In the Middle East, as well as East and South Asia, threading is a common technique used to remove unwanted facial hair. This process involves twisting and rolling a doubled thread over the hair, plucking it from the follicle level. Yet, there is one part that remains untouched.
Early versions of eyeliner were used to enhance unibrows, which were considered attractive for both genders.
In Persia, women becoming adults and preparing for marriage were indicated through hair removal and shaping of the eyebrows.
During the Middle Ages, Catholic women were required to keep long hair as a symbol of femininity but hide it from public view. Additionally, in the 14th century, women would remove hair from their hairline to create a more oval appearance to their faces.
Eyebrow removal gained popularity under Elizabeth I's reign, starting in 1558.
There was no pressure for European and American women to remove their hair at that time. However, it is said that some women used the first safety razor for men, invented by Jacques Perret in 1760.
Rebecca Herzig's 'Plucked: A History of Hair Removal' claims that the idea of body hair being unappealing today can be linked back to Charles Darwin's 1871 book 'Descent of Man.'
Herzig states that Darwin associated body hair with less developed forms of our ancestors and, conversely, linked less body hair with evolution and sexual attractiveness.
They started associating hairiness, predominantly on women's bodies rather than men's, with diseases, mental instability, sexual deviation, and other negative implications, further increasing societal expectations.
Herzig pointed out that the idea that women needed to be hairless in order to be considered valuable and deserving of attention was a method of exerting "gendered social control" over their societal roles. This practice of shaming women's bodies was an early form of heteronormative control.
In the early 1900s, smooth skin became highly desirable among upper- and middle-class white Americans, serving as a distinct symbol of femininity. The act of removing unsightly body hair was seen as a means to distinguish oneself from the lower social class.
In 1915, Harper's Bazaar became the first women's magazine to feature a campaign highlighting the importance of removing underarm hair. Gillette also introduced their first razor for women, claiming it to be a solution for an awkward personal issue.
During the early 1900s, the rise of sleeveless dresses, shorter hemlines, and a lack of nylon stockings in World War II led to an increase of underarm and leg hair removal in the United States.
In the late 1940s, the US saw the introduction of a smaller bathing suit bottom, leading companies and consumers to prioritize the trimming and shaping of their nether regions.
During the 1950s, Playboy magazine emerged, associating hairlessness with attractiveness. By 1964, around 98% of American females aged 15 to 44 were frequently shaving their legs.
Although newer hair removal methods emerged at the same time, the initial laser hair removal process was swiftly discarded due to its harmful impact on the skin. It was subsequently reestablished several decades later.
During the rise of the hippie movement, the feminism wave in the 1960s and 1970s opposed the practice of hair removal. Numerous women saw body hair as a representation of their struggle for equal rights.
The “sex sells” method was in full swing within pop culture, and the rising popularity of waxing methods and pornography meant people started getting quite creative and exhibitionist about their pubic hair.
In 1987, a group of seven sisters hailing from Brazil established a salon in New York City presenting a service called the "Brazilian" wax, which entails complete removal of genital hair. This trend caught on swiftly among celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, subsequently gaining popularity among the general public.
Pubic hair removal or trimming is less prevalent in many Asian regions compared to the West. Interestingly, in Korea, having pubic hair was seen as a symbol of both fertility and sexual well-being. In the mid-2010s, reports emerged of Korean women undergoing pubic hair transplants to enhance their hair down there.
Hair removal began to be associated with cleanliness, while natural hair was seen as the opposite. The negative connotation attached to body hair was so powerful that people opted for newer, artificial methods such as electrolysis, pulsed light, and improved laser technology as a preferable alternative.
This concept of cleanliness arises from women's conditioned feelings of disgust, shame, and hostility towards body hair. However, in reality, various hair removal methods often lead to a higher risk of abrasion and infection.
Men choosing to shave or women deciding to grow their hair, contrary to societal traditions, eventually became associated with queerness. This only reinforced the heteronormative expectations that dictate what individuals should do with their body hair.
In the 2010s, there has been a growing realization about the limitations imposed on women's bodies, as well as an increased understanding of feminism, gender, and sexuality. This has empowered a younger generation of women to resist and challenge these constraints.
Influencers and celebrities increased their posts featuring body hair. Harper's Bazaar followed suit by featuring model Emily Ratajkowski with unshaved underarms.
New women's shaving brands like Billie are now advocating for female body hair, counter to societal norms. These brands are promoting inclusivity by featuring a range of women with different levels of hairiness in their campaigns.
Women are embracing their power by refusing to remove body hair, turning it into a catalyst for revolution, activism, and social progress.
Why we started removing our body hair
Breaking free from the razor
LIFESTYLE History
Women around the world have expressed the benefits of not having to shave or wax during the pandemic. This task is often painful, expensive, uncomfortable, and time-consuming. However, societal pressures have led many women to believe that shaving is a choice they must make. In reality, these so-called choices have been influenced by decades of social expectations.
Although many women begin hair removal at a young age, only a few understand the origins and reasons behind this trend. Throughout history, body hair has played a significant role in shaping gender roles, delineating social classes, defining femininity, and exerting control over women through shame. However, these notions are now undergoing transformation.
This article, based on information from CNN, explores the origins of hair removal, its proliferation, and the challenges it faces today. It sheds light on how societal expectations have influenced women's grooming habits and the current movement toward questioning and challenging these norms.