More men are waxing than ever before and it’s not just their chests that are getting the smooth look.
Influenced by the David Beckhams, Tom Daleys and the Geordie Shore lads of this world, an increasing amount of northerners are getting their torsos - and their bums - waxed in an effort to please their partners or look good in the gym.
And you can watch our brave reporter Will Metcalfe scream as he lies back and thinks of England as he gets his chest hair pulled out.
Statistics show one in three men are removing hair on their bodies and it has become a multi million pound industry.
With men’s grooming booming, many opt for a simple shave while others are taking regular trips to the beauty salon for a more painful wax.
While women have been getting their legs, bikini-line and eyebrows waxed for years, the opposite sex is jumping on the bandwaggon.
Geordie Shore’s Gaz Beadle, Scotty T and Nathan Henry are prime examples. With Nathan boasting: “I’m preened to perfection.”
The Only Way is Essex stars Mark Wright and Joey Essex are advocates of hair free chests - and the trend is snowballing.
In a survey conducted by Gillette, it was revealed one in five men like to be bare down below.
Once thought to be just for the metropolitan gent, the removal of male hair in the nether regions is becoming increasingly mainstream.
While sex toy retailer Lovehoney conducted its own survey of 1,000 men which revealed eight out of 10 chaps under the age of 35 have begun ‘manscaping’ and some are even stripping down to a Boyzilian style.
Violet Beauty Salon, in Old Eldon Square, Newcastle, are experts in male waxing.
They offer a range of waxing from a £15 to get a smooth chest to “The Geordie” - which leaves the male virtually hairless down south for £40.
Salon owner Danielle Stott, 27, of Lemington, Newcastle, said: “I started intimate waxing for men about five years ago and back then I had only one about every two weeks. Now that has all changed. I have male clients wanting this done every day. Sometimes I have more men than women coming for a wax.
“It probably has something to do with Geordie Shore but it is more of the middle aged men who come in for intimate waxing. They are probably told by their wives to come along. Being well groomed also makes them feel a bit younger and better in themselves. The younger lads go more for the eyebrow waxing.”
It was our very own Will Metcalfe who was the bravest of our bunch who agreed to getting a wax.
Will, 30, said: “It’s not the sort of thing I’d normally go for but after being kindly volunteered by my colleagues I thought I’d give it a go.
“At first it didn’t hurt but by the time the beautician made it to the middle of my chest I was starting to feel the pain.
“An hour after the wax and I felt my chest was on fire.
“I don’t think it’s for me really, the look is a bit of a shock to the system but I’ll see what my girlfriend thinks – who knows, maybe this will be the first of many.”
