NSFW male shaving question

July 24, 2008 6:32 PM

NSFW, graphic question about shaving below the belt. Proceed with caution.

How do you shave your scrotum correctly? It seems hard to get a good shave considering how sensitive the skin is there. Also, how about the area approaching to your butt crack? Details appreciated.

posted by anonymous to health (18 comments total)

Hair/beard trimmer up front; I leave things in the rear as they are. Haven't actually shaved down to the skin, but going from a thick mane to nothing with a razor might be a nightmare if you don't trim with something - even scissors - first.

Also, Trader Joe's Honey Mango Cream Shave is amazing and leaves my face incredibly smooth; I would have no hesitation in using it down there were I inclined. As an aftershave, go for some after-sun aloe vera stuff; I've found that really reduces the irritation.
posted by mdonley at 6:37 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

Shave your scrotum with a blade. Seriously, it doesn't hurt. (hint: pull it tight)
posted by mpls2 at 6:42 PM on July 24

Take a nice hot shower before hand. It makes shaving easier and keeps the scrotum from bunching up.
posted by munchingzombie at 7:04 PM on July 24

trim up with scissors first downstairs then hit it with a razor (nothing special just be sure it is new-shaves easier). also, doing it in the shower works. as far as "back there" same thing...just beware when that grows back it will get caught on your underwear so if you do it, do it regular or be prepared for a day or 2 of discomfort.
oh yeah...i read that, yeah, that is what i read in a book or i overheard that somewhere
posted by doorsfan at 7:11 PM on July 24

Get a pair of clippers or scissors and cut everything as close as you're comfortable doing. The trick to getting close without nicking yourself is to splash your scrotum with COLD water to make it contract and make the hair stand on end so it can be easily cut. The actual shaving should be done in the shower with plenty of shave cream or gel and you'll need to stretch your scrotum in different directions to get reasonably flat surfaces to shave. It's easy to start at the rear (between your legs) and shave forward but the other way (base of your penis downward) will be more difficult so you need to pay particular attention to avoid getting any folds of skin near the blades. In terms of razor burn, you'll probably be ok without doing anything major other than rinsing well.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 7:19 PM on July 24

Philips Norelco Bodygroom^*.

Men Essentials: Shaving Private Ryan^*

Check out previous related AskMe threads:

Male pubic hair grooming.

What to do with too much body hair?

Pros/Cons to trimming the Hair-Down-There™? (Male).

posted by ericb at 7:29 PM on July 24

I have shorn my scrotum with a Mach 3 for years and never received a cut or any post-shave irritation. I'll typically just pull my scrotum tight and go against the grain, but if it is a special occasion I'll use cold water to contract the scrotum before shaving. I've found that shaving gel is not necessary, but you can use it if you feel the need. As for the taint, I typically go with the grain using a Mach 3. Once again, shaving gel is optional if you are in the shower.
posted by demon666 at 7:29 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

I actually bought a bodygroom a few years ago and tossed it after using it 3 or 4 times. It didn't work that well - I though it combined a cheap foil razor with an underbuilt trimmer and was sort of the worst of both worlds.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 7:40 PM on July 24

$15 Norelco beard trimmer from Target/Walmart works just fine to keep things nice and trim. You may not get the answers you seek as you didn't specify if you were shaving for heightened sensitivity during sex, or just general ape-man maintenance.
posted by Burhanistan at 9:31 PM on July 24

Honestly I just came in here for a laugh.
But what I've learned from my lady-parts trial and error might actually be useful to you?
Lubricant!! !!! A cheapie from the supermarket does the trick. Massage it onto dry skin and then apply shave cream like normal. (Rinse your razor after every stroke, you'll need to.)

If you tap your razor.. don't tap the edges of the blades! And don't keep it in the bathroom, the moisture makes them rusty/dull.
You need to get the skin a bit taut (so maybe some classy leg/s in the air positions??) and use your hand to check for 'missed bits', rather than trusting a mirror.
Rinse with cold water then moisturise - press firmly, in the direction of hair growth.

Probably wouldn't be a silly idea to moisurise or condition beforehand to soften the (short as possible!) hair first either...
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 9:54 PM on July 24

Have you tried a depilatory cream, theres quite a few 'for men' products out there now. I prefer it for my delicate lady parts - especially if its been a few weeks. It might sting a bit but I find in the long run its better than razor burn and it should deal with wrinkles without a problem
posted by missmagenta at 12:13 AM on July 25

To answer the other part of your question regarding how to shave your sacrococcygeal area, it's a solution that some people prone to pilonidal cysts pursue. (Not I, but it was one of the things I read about people doing prior to an excision.) I have no idea how to effectively go about doing it, but investigating how those people do it would probably give you your answer as to how to go about it.
posted by WCityMike at 5:22 AM on July 25

In place of shave gel, you can always use normal hair conditioner. Works wonders on girl parts, too.
posted by VioletU at 6:48 AM on July 25

Get a loved one to help ;)

You know you've got a good partner when you help with each other's grooming.
posted by gjc at 9:33 AM on July 25

Yep- Mach 3. For both sexes.

I would not be surprised if Gillette made this product with this activity in mind- since everyone seems to be shaving below the equator nowadays.
posted by Zambrano at 9:41 AM on July 25

Seconding gjc. It's a lot more fun that way.

Another thing I discovered is using women's razors (venus glide) makes things a little bit easier.
posted by Arthur Dent at 10:26 AM on July 25

Be forewarned that shaving close to your asshole may well result in stubble poking you in the gentleness. It is most unpleasant.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 11:56 AM on July 25

Sex is Fun Theater: Epilating Kidder's Scrotum. (Kidder is one of the hosts.)
posted by desuetude at 4:21 PM on July 25