Written by Natalia Cordero

Photos by Hal Lueking

Models Natalia Cordero and Jada Brandt

For years, only body hair on men was seen as acceptable. Women have been conditioned to shave almost every inch of their bodies. Though shaving is still perceived as the “norm,” things are finally changing. The perception that body hair on anyone besides men is gross or dirty must change. Not only is body hair natural, but making people waste their time and money on shaving so that they won’t be shamed or judged is absurd.

I have struggled with how my body hair is perceived for most of my life. Being a Latina woman, I am very hairy. As a young girl, I started getting body hair fast and it was very dark, making me extremely insecure of my Latina roots. I should have been blaming society for its unrealistic standards, but instead, I began to hate every inch of hair on my body. I would shave everywhere, including my arms, peach fuzz, and sideburns. It took years for me to be comfortable with my own hair, but as soon as I came to terms with it, it was extremely liberating.

The benefits of celebrating body hair span cultures and identities. For example,  it can be integral to gender expression for LGBTQ+ people. It adds a sense of androgyny, and it doesn't have to be deemed a masculine feature. Body hair has no gender. Denying this as a form of expression can be harmful to impressionable teenagers who are trying to form their identity.
Body hair should not be looked down upon. The misogynistic perspective on body hair that has dominated American culture for generations is extremely damaging to young kids. The crux of the body hair positivity movement is to allow people to choose what they would like to do, without the pressure of societal expectations. Whether they want to shave or not, is their choice.