Body Hair Makes You an Ape

ulike air 10

Ulike Air 10

$399.00 $279.00

Pris S. sent in an ad that ran in the Collegiate Times, the Virginia Tech campus newspaper:

picture-110

Of course, it’s a great example of advertising making people feel as though they aren’t sufficiently attractive so they’ll buy a product. But it’s also interesting because it’s an example of a cosmetic procedure that is increasingly marketed to men as well as women. Women do get laser hair removal, obviously, but so do men. Our standards of male attractiveness increasingly demand control of body hair. Hairy backs and shoulders are a source of ridicule. I have known several men who felt very self-conscious about their body hair, some of whom shaved or waxed some of it. Even chest hair is questionable; most images of shirtless men (in ads, pin-ups, calendars, etc.) show very little chest hair. The “man-0-lantern” chest-waxing scene in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” of course used men’s concern about body hair for comedic effect.

The other thing that’s interesting here is the connection between having body hair (which, as far as I can tell from the ad, could include just about any type, including pubic hair) with being an “ape,” as though we should be ashamed of the fact that we are, in fact, mammals who have varying amounts of body hair. I suspect that it’s also part of the caveman stereotype–having lots of body hair is sort of associated with being less civilized, less fully human or modern. It’s also a beauty standard that is certainly going to be harder for some groups, those that tend to have more and/or darker body hair, to meet, which could bring up some interesting discussions about whose bodies are considered attractive, etc.

Thanks, Pris!

NEW: Andrea G. sent in a link to the line of Mangroomer products, which include electric shavers for back, nose/ear, and “private” hair:

picture-111
picture-112

These would be great for discussion new standards of male attractiveness–which increasingly pressure men to shave body and pubic hair, though not their legs or armpit hair, since that type of shaving is girly!–and also as an example of gendered marketing. Notice the very sciency-techy element to the website, with the graph-type lines in the background, the “swoosh” sounds, and so on.

Andrea also sent in this Nads commercial, in which we learn that the product saved a woman from a life of misery, since neighborhood children taunted her for having a beard:

It’s a great example of the social construction of bodies: we think it’s gross when women have beards, but at least in theory okay when men have them. Of course certain groups, such as Mormons, discourage men from growing beards, and in general full beards are relatively uncommon in the U.S. today and might be seen as unprofessional or otherwise inappropriate in some situations. But men usually won’t be openly mocked for growing hair on their faces (Joaquin Phoenix’s recent transformation aside), whereas for a woman, allowing hair to grow and be visible on her face would be socially unacceptable.

Thanks, Andrea!

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • Comments
  • DISQUS
    1 out of ...

    You May Also Like

    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024

    1

    13

    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024
    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024

    Ulike Air 10:Ulike Laser Hair Removal Coupons in November 2024

    $279.00
    $399.00

    1343 reviews

    96% Hair Reduction in 2 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X

    1

    3

    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X
    Ulike X

    Ulike X

    $349.00
    $429.00

    292 reviews

    94% Hair Reduction fo Man in 2 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.

    1

    31

    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.
    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset.

    Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset

    $199.00
    $329.00

    6352 reviews

    90% Hair Reduction in 4 Weeks

    90-Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

    The best IPL hair removal device in 2024

    Top IPL Hair Removal Devices of 2024

    Oct 21, 2024
    by
    Brandy Williams

    Explore the top IPL hair removal devices in 2024 with insights and expert reviews to choose the best option for you.

    The 2-Minute Rule for brazilian waxing service

    The 2-Minute Rule for brazilian waxing service

    Nov 22, 2024
    by
    Kenneth Gentry

    Rumored Buzz on vitamin c

    Rumored Buzz on vitamin c

    Nov 22, 2024
    by
    John Cantrell