- Looking at your pictures, you are absolutely not abnormal and do not have an abnormal amount of hair. I think you are being too hard on yourself from looking at magazine and watching too much TV. What I can see in these pictures is what the majority of men have, and many much more. I think you really need to readdress whether what you're feeling about the amount of hair is actually worse than average. It really is not.

- However, I do understand that many of us want to minimize the amount of hair. I don't really think either DIY electrolysis (VERY hard to do yourself properly) or using an epilator are good options for you. First, you can't reach the areas that bother you most. Second, it takes a lot of time to learn the skill very well and $50 machines are not best for this type of thing. And epilators tend to cause a lot of ingrowns, so many complain of constant rash look on their skin. And once you start, the hair basically gets screwy and you always end up with ingrowns.

- Is there a reason why you don't want to shave? Or trim some areas?

- Is getting a loan for laser treatments not an option? You would probably need a few grand for back and butt. And you have a good skin and hair combo for laser. Is there a reason why that's not a consideration at all for you? As I mentioned, there are ways to finance this.

I'll second the fact you look about average in terms of hair. You certainly do not look abnormally hairy. Try not to be so hard on yourself, though I know that is difficult. I hate the way I look and feel I am ugly and disgusting, even though everyone tells me I am not. My particular situation is different from yours of course, but I can relate to self-image issues.

Before you pick a method and go with it, you should decide if you want area(s) to be completely hairless forever, hairless with regular maintenance required, or just reduce the density/amount of hair. Remember, most males have some hair on their legs and arms and chests etc. Before you remove all of your hair (temporarily or permanently), make sure you are comfortable being seen without any hair at all. Try trimming the hair first and see if that works for you. If not, then you might want to try shaving or a rotary epilator and see how you like being completely smooth and how others react (if they do at all).

Also, do you have any other issues with your skin or hair? I can't stand the way any hair feels on my body (my skin is insanely tactile) and I have an obsession with my hair and skin (I suspect I may have some form of ocd/trich). For me, that and being tg make removing mine permanently an obvious decision. If you don't have any such hair issues, I'd try trimming or shaving before doing something more drastic and permanent.

As said, if you decide on a permanent reduction, laser would definitely be something to look into. Just remember, laser usually charges by the size of the area. Around here 8 sessions for the legs is about $1800, chest around $1200, back around $1700 and arms $1500. A male beard is only $850.

Hey Victor,

I was feeling exactly the same about a year ago. As everyone said though, your not abnormal. A lot of men have the same amount of leg hair as you and more. Chest hair wise, sheesh, if I had that little I'd be putting my feet up and forgetting about the whole business of reducing it.

I've had good results on the areas that lagirl mentioned with laser hair removal. It's costly, but just think after 6-8 sessions of that and a little bit of electrolysis to catch the stragglers that won't go, you could be completley smooth on those areas. And hey, between the laser sessions you have smooth periods as well.

I found that my constant worry about my hair was partly the fact that it was unattractive, but also a mask for other things that were going on in my life. It's easy to get caught in that cycle of blaming your problems on the way your look or in many cases the way you don't look. I'd love to look like some of the guys on the front of the glossy magazine, but I've learnt that although I may be able to reduce and remove the excess hair - I'm still going to be of stocky stature, which doesn't help being 5ft 6 either.

It is interesting though, when I was about 16 I stopped shaving and bought a epilator, I got fed up with that after the first couple of uses then went for waxing. Got fed up with waxing as well. Then I eventually saved up and took the plunge, a couple of months before my 18th birthday and started my laser treatments. I'm only saying this because I wished I'd bypassed the whole temporary hair removal methods and just gone straight for laser, would have saved me a lot of time and effort.

Good luck with everything and just remember, where there's a will there's a way.

Regards,
Benji

I also think you are overreacting, but I also completely understand your feelings. I think you need to get in the habit of doing a light trim and then get some electrolysis on the back areas and you should be pretty good. Having some chest hair can camouflage less muscle definition. I see hairless skinny guys and they just look scrawny