HAIR : Friend or foe ?

  Since adolescence, society has been telling women that they need to get rid of their hair, that it's unattractive and, above all, unhygienic. But what's the reality ? Do women who wax do it for themselves, or for society ?

   Historically, women were already getting rid of their body hair. As far back as Ancient Greece, statues depicted glabrous women - devoid of hair - like Botticelli's Venus. In the Middle Ages, oriental wax appeared, enabling women to wax for their wedding night. And in the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I popularized in the UK the fashion of plucking eyebrows and hairline to make her forehead appear larger.

  In 1915, the Gillette brand created the first razor for women. That same year, Harper's Bazaar magazine in the U.S. described underarm shaving as "necessary". This was the beginning of the obsession with getting rid of hair at all costs. Later, during the Second World War, a shortage of pantyhose and nylon stockings hit the United States, forcing women to go bare-legged. 20 years after this event, 98% of American women shave their legs.

  In 1946, the bikini appeared, bringing with it the fashion for bikini waxing (known as "Brazilian waxing" or "all-over waxing"). At the time, bikini waxing was perceived as being more "hygienic". This preconception is completely false, and it will later be demonstrated that hair is simply a protective mechanism against external aggression. Hair serves to protect the body from heat, cold and the sun's rays. In hot weather, hair keeps sweat close to the skin, keeping it hydrated and at the right temperature. When it's cold, the hair bristles up to keep a layer of warm air over the body. Hair also serves to protect the body from dust.

  Pubic hair helps to regulate all the bacteria that are present around the intimate parts, as well as retaining the pheromones - chemical substances - emitted by so-called "apocrine" glands located in our groin area. They're not "dirty", and the only odours can come from small bacteria that lodge in the hairs (and can therefore be washed away). In conclusion, with good hygiene, your hair and hairy areas won't smell at all.

  It's also worth noting that in some countries, such as South Korea, it's highly regarded to have a lot of bikini line hair. It's a sign of good health and fertility, so much so that some women there have pubic hair implants.

  From the 60s, feminists used hair as an instrument to demand male/female equality. Since the 90s, more and more stars (such as Madonna, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Angèle) have been showing their body hair to challenge social and gender norms, and also to show that hair is natural. However, on social networks, many are harassed if they dare to show themselves with hair (as was the case for model Mara Lafontan, who received a huge wave of insults after posing with her armpits unshaven).

Photo Adyctive Kina fleurs

  At Adyctive, we're passionate about celebrating women's bodies in all their guises, which is why you'll be able to find a few posts on our Instagram of people with hair, half-waxed, with shaving pimples, or any other things that are considered "imperfections" by our society. We honor all bodies, without distinction, and we encourage women to be free.

Everyone can do what they want with their body, so have fun, feel beautiful, feel sexy, and above all feel good!

June 26, 2023
Tags: TALKS
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