words_nicole adlman.

Nik Martinez shows how men are taking a greater interest in shaving
and grooming their body hair.

We’re women and we admit it: beauty can be a fulltime job. But don’t worry ladies, University of Miami men have started to catch up on the routine. Manscaping, which, put simply, is to shave, wax, trim or otherwise dispose of facial and body hair, is an undercover campus craze: everyone does it but not everyone wants to talk about it (to us girls, at least).

Here’s what we do know: a Miami man is a well-kept one; he knows every hair on his body and why it’s there. And there’s a general consensus that a Mufasa-like mane is not a good look for the nether-regions.

“I don’t let it grow,” said one junior student.· “I just trim. It looks weird if that hair [down there] gets curly.”

Another male student, from New Jersey, is not opposed to waxing.

“I only wax my eyebrows,” he said. “If I’m single I shave all the time. If I’m with someone I don’t care as much; I just trim. They’re going to be with me anyway.”

(Editors’ note: No we won’t.)

One junior student steers away from the hot wax and clippers but shaves for his significant other.

“I manscape out of mutual respect for my girlfriend and personal comfort,” he said. “I wouldn’t want a mouthful of hair so why would I expect someone else to?”

Chest hair is making a comeback, but not for everyone. Guys and girls are split on the issue: while some prefer a silky smooth canvas for tanning and feel, a growing number of students are in favor of a more rugged, made-for-the-outback look.

“I don’t mind chest hair as long as you’re not a gorilla,” said junior Ali Grana.

Many women agree. A light dusting is sexy; a full on shag rug is not. But in Miami, most guys like to keep it clean.

Amy Moody, an employee at Uni K Wax in South Miami for the last five years, sees a steady stream of male clientele come into the salon each week. From UM, the numbers are a little less than expected, mainly because men avoid waxing in favor of at-home hair removal.

“We’ll see a couple of UM students during the week, on average like five or six,” Moody said.

For the males that do come in, treatments vary but are less focused on the bikini area; guys like to handle the family jewels themselves.

“Back and shoulders are the most common treatment. Stomach [too],” she said.

For a brave few, bikini waxing is a must for vacations and special occasions.

“One or two do bikini, but not always,” Moody said. “Maybe for spring break but not all the time.”

Well, we wondered, why?

“It could be the pain but they might be embarrassed too sometimes,” she said.

Don’t be embarrassed, boys – it’s cool to be clean. And remember, we return the favor.

*Sources agreed to comment under the condition of anonymity.