Finding Netherland: Your Perfect Guide To Manscaping
Thinking about manscaping? Consider this your sign to take the plunge
ISN’T THERE SOME SAYING ABOUT STARTING THE YEAR ON a clean canvas? It’s February, but who said you can’t start afresh in February? It’s supposedly the month of love so maybe, just maybe, you make it about self-love and adopt a cleanliness drive of sorts.
Manscaping—you know that word. Grooming and/or removing body hair. Here, there, everywhere. Comfort, hygiene, aesthetics—the reason could be any. It’s always been unsure territory for most. How much is too much? Should one go all out or tread carefully? It’s not supposed to be rocket science, but some men could leave you convinced otherwise. Confusion galore, so we’re here to sort out the mess (pun not intended!)
Like all good things, even manscaping comes in all shapes and sizes. Are you the kind to want it squeaky clean? Or would you rather keep it a tad bit close to au naturel? Maybe you’re into a middle ground instead? I’d say, don’t go completely clean if you don’t want to. And do it anyway, even if everyone around you disagrees. No one should tell you otherwise.
It’s a good idea to understand the kind of tools available at your disposal. An electric trimmer is your best bet most of the time, especially if you’re looking to target your groin area. Though some men prefer a razor to remove body hair since it provides a smoother finish—but then you’re also running the risk of irritation after.
Whatever you choose, don’t forget to use a scissor to trim longer hair prior. Ensure there’s good lighting—you don’t want to shave too much or too little!
Next up, how to do the deed.
If you’re using a trimmer, always go slow. Slow and steady wins here as well. Use the longer guard first—that should do the trick most of the time. Only go shorter when absolutely needed. A pro tip would be to stretch the skin when using a trimmer to help avoid nicks in the process. In the case of a razor shave, do it only on wet skin and after applying soap or shaving gel. As a standard practice, shave with the grain and never against it. Like with shaving of the face, keep rinsing the blade often enough.
Never, ever, dry shave, especially on sensitive areas. And with an electric trimmer, don’t go straight to zero length right away. Don’t use dull or old blades—that sounds both ridiculous and risky. If you’ve recently been sweating, avoid shaving or trimming until you’ve cooled down. And always follow it up with adequate aftercare.
Speaking of which, always rinse with cool or room temperature water after. When drying, only pat dry instead of profusely rubbing the area. Like with every other part of your skin, moisturise the freshly shaved/trimmed area with a good moisturiser. Aloe vera gel could also be great if you’d rather use something organic. I’d also recommend avoiding tight clothing for a bit—it allows your skin to breathe and avoids unnecessary rashes.
To read more such stories from Esquire India's February 2026 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.