Yes and no. Most respondents said they now prioritize their own preferences and are less concerned about societal expectations of women. To that end, many pointed out that media plays a big role in this shift, as we’re starting to see more brands changing the way they target hair removal products and/or show off body hair in their ads. In 2019, Nike ran ads showing models with body hair, and popular hair removal brands like Billie and Veet have shifted their messaging to give customers the choice to remove or embrace their body hair. There have also been more movements like Januhairy, which encourages women to stop shaving during the month of January, and hashtags like #bodyhairisnatural, which highlights a collective of people who are trying to break any stigma around body hair.
Many respondents agree that we, as a society, have gotten better at accepting body hair, but we still have a long way to go. After all, a change in public perception doesn’t happen overnight. While some mentioned men and their ideals of what a woman should look like as a factor, others say it’s a generational thing. As one shares, “I think the younger generations are realizing that their bodies are their own, and that it's healthier to have this type of relationship/acceptance with yourself rather than just conform to one beauty standard.”
Body hair is complicated, but it’s ours. As much as we can blame society or the people around us for our choices, it’s ultimately our decision to keep or remove our body hair. One respondent sums it up best: “I'm trying to focus more on what feels comfortable to me as opposed to what is expected of women more generally. I feel like I have a pretty neutral relationship with my body hair at the moment. I don't feel the need or want to be completely hairless all the time, but I also don't feel the need to completely embrace and celebrate it all the time either; I feel like it is what it is, and I remove it when I want to.”
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