Whether you’re smartening up your bikini line, going for a streamline swimmer look, or trying a DIY Brazilian — there’s no need to risk a razor. A body shaver is safer to use and gives you more control for an even shave. But could you just use a beard trimmer to tidy up your chest hair or private parts instead?
Why switch to a beard trimmer?
If you’ve been using a razor to shave your face and your body, then you’ve probably nicked yourself a few times. You have to be very careful! But a handy beard trimmer lets you get a close shave without the risk of the odd cut. Luckily, beard hair and body hair are very similar (both coarse but also fine), so you can sculpt body hair in much the same way as you can a beard.
Another bonus is that beard trimmers are designed to deal with skin that can be sensitive. So they’re perfect for accessing all areas, whether that’s armpit hair or pubic hair. They can trim to all kinds of lengths too and come packing a variety of accessories and attachments — so they’re incredibly versatile. Just shave away without worrying, and even get creative if you like!
How to trim body hair
If you’re wondering how to use a beard trimmer to shave your body hair, just follow these steps:
If you’re using a trimmer that’s also used on faces, make sure it’s clean and disinfected first.
Wash yourself with soap and hot water first. This will also help soften your skin and allow your hair to expand. Exfoliating your skin will also remove dead skin cells and give your trimmer a smoother surface to glide across.
Trim excess hair first to about a quarter inch. This will help prevent your trimmer getting jammed and means you can see what you’re doing.
Use gel or cream to prevent friction for a smooth shave — but make sure that your beard and body trimmer is washable first.
Shave in the direction that the hair grows first. Shaving against the grain will more likely to cause irritation, so only do this on your final pass if you need to.
Rinse after, dry carefully, and then moisturise.
Best beard trimmer features to look out for:
Self-sharpening blades
If you’re shaving sensitive areas, blunt blades can be a real concern. You definitely won’t want them pulling those tender hairs out! Fortunately, Philips Series 5000 shavers and trimmers have self-sharpening blades and don’t need oiling. So you’ll keep getting great results every trim.
Different length settings
Pretty much all beard trimmers let you get super precise with the length you’re going for. The Panasonic Multishape has 58 different length settings between 0.5 to 30 mm — so you can trim and sculpt like a pro.
Long battery life
First of all, no one needs a trimmer that runs out of juice when you're halfway done! And if you’re doing precision trimming, it’s much easier and safer to use a beard trimmer that doesn’t have a trailing wire. So look for a beard trimmer with great battery life — even the affordable Babyliss Triple S can go for 90 minutes on a single charge.
Waterproof design
Those tiny hair follicles can make quite a mess. So a wet and dry (or completely waterproof) beard trimmer lets you wash them away under a tap or in the shower. Just make sure to check if it's completely water-resistant or if only the head and comb can be rinsed.
Want some more inspiration?
If you feel ready to take on more grooming challenges, then find out how to cut your own hair at home. And don’t forget to check out our full range of health and beauty tech too.
