One in five men doesn’t take off his top on the beach – because of his hairy back and shoulders.
A survey of 2,000 men found that 21% avoid swimming in the sea because they feel uncomfortable with their hair, and 27% are concerned about showing off their “man boobs” and stomach.
The study also found that 19% had received comments from other people about their body hair, which caused 20% to feel uncomfortable.
When it comes to personal grooming, 30% of men prefer to trim their body hair, compared to 27% who welcome it.
However, it was found that 45% of respondents regularly trim visible body parts such as their beard and neck – but everything else that is only occasionally shown off remains unkempt.
Over a quarter (26%) admitted that the only area they trim that is not visible is “down below.”
While 18% see the bushy back as the most difficult area to groom, 71% (58%) say it is impossible to reach on their own and difficult to see, so they only trim as far as possible and accept that unruly tufts of hair will be left behind.
The research was commissioned by Philips OneBlade 360 as part of the “Got your back, bro” campaign.
The brand is hosting a pop-up grooming station on Brighton beach on Saturday 10 August to help those who prefer to splash around hair-free with back shaving – so men can fully enjoy the beach experience without worry.
A spokeswoman for the brand, Fiona Atkins, Head of Men’s Care at Philips, said: “Summer can be tough sometimes when you have a lot of body hair due to the intense heat and feel uncomfortable.
“And let’s face it: for those who choose to remove their hair, shaving one’s back is essentially a team sport.
“As the weather in the UK continues to be unpredictable, we want those who may feel uncomfortable going fully bare in their natural state to enjoy these surprisingly sunny days and have the confidence that they can trim, shave and trim their back and body hair in any style they like all summer long.”
72 percent value a well-groomed appearance and 32 percent are of the opinion that one should be a little more playful and experimental when it comes to styling body hair.
For more than half (55%), personal preference is the main reason for grooming their body hair, while 47% do it for convenience and 32% because of the hot weather.
42% of participants in the OnePoll.com study have no concerns about talking about body hair with other male friends.
Fiona Atkins added: “It’s time to make individual choices about grooming and support each other to feel good about themselves. We’re here to help men feel confident, whether they choose a traditional haircut, experiment with their body hair or want to keep their natural look.
“The key is to do what makes you comfortable, and we believe everyone deserves to feel their best and enjoy summer while they can, regardless of their skincare style.”
