RODNEY'S WISDOM: Relax, Chewie. I am here to announce that it's now fully kosher for a man to wax his back. Your chest, legs, or groin? Well, you do what you've got to do and I'll mind my own business. But the back is fine.
Waxing creates less stubble than shaving and pulls the hair right from the roots, which means one treatment lasts up to six weeks. And because the follicles are consistently being removed, hair growth will actually diminish over time. Salons offer a full-back treatment for around $80 and less-involved touch-ups on specific areas like shoulders, arms, and neck for about $25.
Does waxing hurt? Like a bitch. But if your wife or girlfriend can handle the pain where she gets it done, you can certainly bear it on your lats. Post-treatment, your back will be as sensitive as a singer-songwriter, which is why you must avoid intense sun exposure for at least two days.
Electrolysis -- which individually zaps and closes hair follicles, leaving you with permanent removal -- is also an option. The downside is the pain: It's kind of like getting waxed 86 times in one session. And it requires successive treatments.
If you notice a nasty patch right before going to the beach or pool, by all means shave it or use a hair-removing cream or a home waxing kit. It may not bother you that much, but it's the rest of us who have to look at that carpet.
Rodney Cutler is a former Australian-football player, an Ironman triathlete, and the owner of the Cutler salon in New York City.
