Ranveer Singh needs a trim

Ranveer Singh recently flashed major armpit hair and that has sparked off a debate,  just like Julia Roberts had in 1999 . It’s not unusual to see a Bollywood macho man flashing a little underarm bush. However, it’s unsightly when an actor grows a national forest under his arm and then flaunts it. We were just about getting used to Ranveer’s facial fuzz, but after this recent ‘show’  we want to gift him a razor to mow the underarm garden he’s been growing.

FOLLOW THE LEADER
In the past, actors like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Sunny Deol and Akshay Kumar have posed with their shaved underarms. Even Hollywood actors like Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell and Chace Crawford have been sporting well-trimmed underarms.

Abroad most athletes, swimmers and basketball players proudly display hairless pits.

ARE YOU METROSEXUAL?
Do unshaved and unwaxed underarms reflect a rugged demeanour? How much bush is good enough? Is it something straight men or metrosexual men should do? According to a research in a men’s magazine, uber-males are grooming themselves in ways that even gay men haven’t explored, so there’s your answer.

MATTER OF CHOICE
Valerie Culmann, of Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa says, “Underarm hair removal is more of a personal choice and less a question of should or should not. Less underarm growth means less body odour, so if a client wants to control the same for his personal hygiene, he can opt to wax his underarm growth.”

CELEB? BE GROOMED!
Model Pia Trivedi says, “If one is in the limelight and gets photographed all the time then one should be careful about how one poses. When one gets paid to look good, then an unkempt bush is simply unacceptable. If you haven’t trimmed, you should not lift your arm because bad camera angles result in unpleasant pictures. A celeb should be impeccably groomed all the time. Don’t make it obnoxious by growing a bush.”

RAW AND MASCULINE
For many men, hair under the arms conveys a hint of machismo. Designer Kunal Rawal, who styles a lot of Bollywood stars argues, “I think it is very personal. The hair growth is because of the testosterone. It’s raw and masculine, but I feel one should trim and keep it hygienic. Grooming is very important today but a raw appeal also works.”  

THE HYGIENE FACTOR
“Trimming, shaving or waxing of underarm hair is a good practice as it leaves less surface area to allow for the accumulation of sweat and bacteria. In my opinion, if a man is comfortable with shaving or waxing his underarm hair and does not develop any kind of irritation, then he should do it. However, if he finds just trimming the underarm hair more convenient, that too is fine,” says Dr Varun Katyal, dermatologist.