If you buy one thing for manscaping, make it a decent trimmer. It does most of the work, it's gentler on the skin than a razor, and it takes no real skill to use. The hard part is choosing, because pubic hair trimmers, body groomers, ball trimmers and beard trimmers all look much the same on the shelf. Here's what matters when you're choosing a body groomer for men to use below the belt, whichever brand you go for.
Why use a trimmer for manscaping?
A trimmer leaves a little length, and that is kinder to intimate skin than shaving close. The NHS says the best way to prevent ingrown hairs is by not shaving, and that leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce them. It also suggests trying an electric razor rather than wet shaving. A trimmer with a guard keeps the hair short and tidy while the blades stay off the skin.
For the bigger picture, from what manscaping is to how often to bother, start with our guide to manscaping for men. If you're still weighing up trimming against shaving, waxing or cream, our guide to pubic hair removal for men compares them.
Body groomer, beard trimmer or foil shaver: what's the difference?
All three are electric, but they're built for different jobs. A body groomer (also sold as a body trimmer, ball trimmer or manscaping trimmer) is the one designed for below the belt. A foil shaver works differently: as DermNet describes it, the blades sit behind a perforated piece of metal called a foil, and hairs poke through the holes and are cut off.
| Body groomer | Beard trimmer | Foil shaver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Trims body hair to a set length with clip-on guards | Trims facial hair to a set length with clip-on guards | Cuts hair close to the skin through a thin, perforated metal foil |
| Finish | Short, with a little length left | Short, with a little length left | Close to smooth |
| Below the belt | Made for it, if the box or instructions say body or intimate use | Fine on the pubic area with a guard; check the instructions before going near the scrotum | Only if the instructions say it is for body use; go gently on loose skin |
| Choose it if | You want one tool for regular tidying | You already own one, and keep a separate one for your face | You want a closer finish without a wet razor |
The NHS says leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs. Whichever you choose, keep it just for this job.
Names vary more than the tools do, so go by what the box or the instructions say it's for.
Can you use a beard trimmer on pubic hair?
Yes, on the pubic area, with a guard on. A beard trimmer cuts pubic hair the same way it cuts a beard. Check the instructions say it can be used on body hair, and take extra care around the scrotum, where the skin is loose and creased. Body groomers are designed with that skin in mind. Once a trimmer has been used below the belt, keep it there and use a different one for your face.
What should you look for in a pubic hair trimmer?
- Made for body or intimate use. The box or the instructions should say so. Then you know the blades and guards were designed for curves and loose skin as well as a jawline.
- Guards in several lengths. A guard is the plastic comb that clips over the blade. It keeps the cutting edge off your skin and leaves the hair at a set length. A spread of lengths lets you start long and work down.
- Rounded or covered blade tips. Look closely at the head. Tips that are rounded or tucked behind the guard are less likely to catch the skin than sharp, exposed corners.
- A head you can rinse. A waterproof trimmer, or one with a washable head, is easier to keep clean. Some are wet and dry, so you can use them in the shower, but check the instructions first. Dry hair still cuts more evenly, so trimming before a shower is the easier habit.
- Cordless, with enough charge for a full trim. A cable gets in the way at awkward angles, and a battery that gives out halfway is worse. A charge indicator helps.
- Replacement heads or blades you can buy. Blades dull with use, so check replacements are available before you choose the trimmer.
- A grip that works with wet hands, and a head small enough for the curves of the groin.
- A travel lock, if it's going in a wash bag, so it can't switch itself on in transit.
Which guard length should you use?
Start with the longest guard and work down over a few sessions until you find the length you like. There's no need to go skin-close: the NHS says leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs, and that they're more likely if you have coarse or curly hair. Guard sizes vary between trimmers, so check the lengths in the instructions rather than going by the number printed on the guard.
How do you use a trimmer safely below the belt?
- Trim while the hair is dry, just before a shower, so the hair stands up and the shower rinses the clippings away.
- Clip on the longest guard first. You can go shorter next time.
- Go in the direction the hair grows, in slow, short strokes, and let the trimmer do the work instead of pressing it into the skin.
- Around the scrotum, keep the guard on and hold the skin smooth with your free hand, without pulling it tight.
- Stop if it tugs. A trimmer that pulls at the hair is usually clogged or blunt: clean it, or change the head.
- Rinse with cool water and pat dry when you've finished.
Want a smooth finish on the scrotum? Our guide to how to shave your balls safely covers trimming first, then shaving. For trimming as part of washing and drying, see our simple men's intimate grooming routine.
How do you clean a body groomer?
- Brush out the hair after every use.
- Rinse the head under the tap, if the instructions say it's washable.
- Let it dry completely before you put it away, somewhere dry rather than in the shower. The American Academy of Dermatology gives the same advice for razors, so bacteria don't grow on them.
- Oil the blades if the instructions tell you to.
Is it OK to share a trimmer?
No. Think of it like a toothbrush and keep it to yourself. The NHS advises against sharing personal hygiene items like toothbrushes or razors, because they can have blood on them, and the same goes for a trimmer used below the belt.
When should you replace the blades?
As often as the maker's instructions recommend, or sooner if the trimmer starts pulling hairs instead of cutting them. The American Academy of Dermatology advises replacing an electric razor's foils and blades as often as its instructions say, and notes that a dull blade greatly increases the risk of razor bumps. The NHS puts it simply: don't use a blunt razor.
What should you do after trimming?
Trimmed skin usually needs nothing more than a rinse and a pat dry. Skip the aftershave and scented products. Wait at least 24 hours after shaving, trimming or waxing before using any leave-on product, including ours, and only use it on clean, dry, unbroken skin. Our how to use page has the full directions.
If the skin does flare up, our guide to razor burn, razor bumps and shaving rash after manscaping explains what to do. The NHS says to see a GP if an ingrown hair or the area around it becomes very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have a high temperature or feel very unwell.
Common questions
Can you use a beard trimmer on pubic hair?
Yes, on the pubic area, with a guard on. Check the instructions say it can be used on body hair, take extra care around the scrotum, and keep a separate trimmer for your face.
What guard length should I start with?
The longest one. You can go shorter next time, and the NHS says leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs.
Can I use a body groomer in the shower?
Only if the instructions say it's waterproof or wet and dry. Trimming dry, just before a shower, usually cuts more evenly.
Is a ball trimmer different from a body groomer?
Usually it's the same kind of tool under a different name. Check the box or instructions say it's made for body or intimate use, and keep the guard on around the scrotum.
How often should I replace trimmer blades?
As often as the maker's instructions recommend, or sooner if it starts pulling hairs instead of cutting them. A dull blade makes razor bumps more likely.
Is a trimmer better than a razor for manscaping?
For most men, yes. A trimmer leaves a little length, and the NHS says leaving at least 1mm of stubble can help reduce ingrown hairs. A razor gives a smoother finish but irritates the skin more often.
Sources
General information for adults 18+, not medical advice. If a skin problem doesn't settle, or you're worried, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
