I stopped shaving my armpits three years ago. Why? I was tired of my sensitive skin being constantly annoyed by irritation and ingrown hairs. But I also wanted an aesthetic change. Something less perfect, less groomed, more wild.
Humans chop and style their hair all the time. They microblade their eyebrows to look fuller and then pluck them into non-existence. Making changes to our body hair is a near-constant element of stylistic transformation that is central to our self-presentation and expressions of individuality. Why then does the perception of armpit hair remain a constant — seen by many as so primally disgusting?
When I talk about armpit hair, I’m talking mostly about women’s armpit hair. Because men are at leisure to do whatever they want with the hair growing on their body, whereas whenever a woman appears in public with tufts of hair peeking out from under her arms, some people feel compelled to weigh in.
For many Americans, critiquing body hair is a way to police gender and judge bodies that inspire fear, judgment or social disruption. So perhaps it’s not a surprise that nonbinary people, who are increasingly more public-facing in the media, might also be scrutinized or criticized for their body hair — its presence, absence or location.
Take the example of nonbinary and queer actor Emma Corrin, who is featured on the June/July cover of Harper’s Bazaar. Corrin, who won a Golden Globe for their portrayal of Princess Diana in “The Crown,” is pictured wearing clothing from Miu Miu — a beige tank top and briefs. Corrin poses with their arm above their head, displaying their armpit hair in a cool but declarative way.
