Why You Should Never Shave Your Arms

Look, I totally get it. There you are, in the mirror, staring at your arms, and there’s a forest of hair just standing up like a row of defiant soldiers. The smooth look is tempting. No hair – no worries. Right?

Sounds like a dream, you think. Free to wear those sleeveless dresses or tanks without a second thought. And honestly, there’s something oddly satisfying about the swipe of the razor and watching as the fuzz just disappears.

But let me tell you, before you decide to go all Gillette on your arms, there’s a flip side to this smooth arm saga. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here’s why.

7 reasons why you shouldn’t shave your arms

1. Regrowth can be a pain

Literally and metaphorically! You know how your legs feel all prickly just a few days after shaving? Now imagine that on your arms. Constantly. The regrowth is not only rapid, it’s prickly and itchy. Not exactly a feel-good trade-off.

2. Ingrown hairs are no picnic

Let us not forget about ingrown hairs – those annoying, painful little bumps that can occur after shaving. They happen when the hair curls back into the skin instead of growing out, causing inflammation and even infection. Trust me, you don’t want to deal with that on your arms, particularly as your arms are often likely to be on full display.

3. Shaving could lead to darker hair

Contrary to what we might think, hair doesn’t grow back thicker after shaving. But it can appear darker. Here’s why: when you shave, you’re cutting the hair off at its thickest point. This makes the new growth look more noticeable, especially if you’re a person with naturally dark hair.

So, ironically, your quest for smoothness may just make your arm hair more conspicuous.

4. Skin irritation and sensitivity

Did I mention shaving can irritate your skin? Oh, well, it can. Razor burns, nicks, cuts, dryness – these are all potential side effects.

Plus, the skin on your arms is thinner and more sensitive than on your legs, which increases the risk of irritation. And if you’re someone with skin conditions like eczema, shaving can exacerbate them.

5. Maintenance can be overwhelming

Today it’s your legs, tomorrow your arms. The day after? Who knows. The point is, shaving is time-consuming and the upkeep can be overwhelming. It might start to feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending hair removal loop.

6. Hair provides warmth

Going back to basics: our bodies sprouted hair for a reason. One major function of body hair is to provide warmth. Hair traps a layer of air close to the skin, acting as a sort of natural insulation.

Shaving your arms could mean you’re compromising this clever evolutionary tactic for staying warm. Granted, we’re not talking about Arctic level insulation here, but every little bit helps, right? Especially in those icy office buildings or chilly winter months. You’ll be thanking your lucky stars (and hairs) when that unexpected cold snap hits.

7. No one really expects you to have shaved arms

Truth be told, unlike leg or underarm hair, society isn’t exactly breathing down our necks about arm hair. Seriously, think about it. When was the last time someone pointed out your hairy arms in horror? Probably never, right?

Despite what fashion magazines or beauty influencers may suggest, there isn’t any “norm” that dictates you should have hairless arms. So why add another chore to your beauty routine if you don’t absolutely want to or have to? Go against the grain (pun intended) and let your arms just do their natural, hairy thing.

Final word

Of course, if you’re still keen on the idea, there are other, possibly less irritating hair removal methods like waxing, laser hair removal, or even just trimming the hair to keep it less noticeable. Your body, your rules, right? But it’s essential to be informed before making the move.

In the grand scheme of life, arm hair is just one of those wonderfully weird things that make us human. It’s okay to embrace it, love it, and live with it.

Which is basically me telling you, next time you’re tempted to go smooth, remember this: it’s just hair, and it’s there for a reason. No one’s going to think less of you for keeping yours, and a bit of hair on your arms isn’t going to ruin your look.