I'm in a somewhat unique position to present a topic most riders are too shy to talk about, so clip in for a fun ride as we discuss your dangly man bits in detail. 😎
Enjoy the article. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions, or drop into my Rockhampton studio for a chat. My details are on the bookings page.
Have a brilliant day,
Andrew Thompson
Pubic hair friction zones
In the chilled confines of the post-ride cafe, guys generally don't mind admitting they shave their legs. But I dare you to ask your cycling mates about waxing their butts and balls.
So, let's look at the body parts that really bother you and your mates, but nobody wants to talk about. We'll start with a typical bike seat and how it interacts with your body.
As you can see by the diagram above, there's a lot happening. Every single pedal stroke causes your seat to generate friction and pressure on these body parts.
Impacts are also being transmitted from the road or trail surface through the tyres and frame then up the seat post into the seat, and in turn, into your delicate areas.
Logic therefore dictates that you want the friction between seat and body to be minimal.
Chamois and sweat
Whether you favour the lycra kit of roadies and XC riders or the nylon shorts of enduro, chances are you wear a chamois. If you're planning a long session, you might also add some chamois cream.
Both of these are great to help reduce friction, pressure, and impact. However, a chamois is not very good at reducing sweat. In fact, it traps sweat, that wonderful stew of water, salt, sebum, and fatty secretions.
This is why your bike shorts smell like an abattoir if you forget to rinse them for a day. A chamois also fails to reduce friction between your hair and skin. In fact a chamois can actually make it worse because the pubic hairs get stuck in the fabric.
This makes them stretch further than they normally would, increasing the friction points exponentially. Add perspiration and you are literally rubbing salt into the wounds.
Have you ever jumped off your bike after a long ride and the skin feels burned or super sensitive to the touch? Even though you were wearing a chamois and cream? That's why.
Hair removal options for male cyclists
Righto, so let's check out your hair removal options.
Shaving
If you've ever shaved your legs, you know how bristly they feel after a day or two.
You've probably even shaved your upper leg to your inner thigh or bikini line and given yourself some lovely ingrown hairs.
Do this for a while and you'll get some nice scars that never go away. If you're going to shave anything, stick to your lower legs.
Depilatory creams and sprays
Don't use them for anything. Just don't. My personal prediction is that in 20 years, they'll be regarded like we view asbestos now. I know they're readily available everywhere, but seriously, don't use them.
Trimming
There are worse things you could do than run hair trimmers over your man bits.
This will get rid of all the long stuff, but unlike shaving, you can use say a #0 or #1 trimmer guide which will leave enough stubble above the skin to minimise the chance of shaving rash.
After a week or so, your hairs will be ready for another go with the clippers.
Waxing
Manzilian Waxing is a common option for waxing your sensitive bits. Follow up treatments are usually 4 to 6 weeks.
Pubic hair also starts to thin over time and will come through finer and softer if you keep up with regular wax treatments.
A Manzilian style called 'The Saddle' is designed for cyclists, and includes the central points from front to back - the perineum, bum crease, and back of the scrotum.
IPL Hair Removal
Note: I'm talking about real IPL, not the hand-held gadgets you see on Facebook.
IPL Pubic Hair Removal is arguably the most common method for permanently dealing with unwanted pubic hair, as it yields a progressively permanent result.
You need to have very dark hair. if your hair is red, brown, grey, or blond, waxing is your best option.
I recommend a base series of 6 treatments one month apart, after which we start to taper off your treatments to the point where I might only see you once a year for a top up.
