Improving my body cosmetically (body hair and skin)

I think everyone wants to look their best for a partner (current or future). You questions are totally valid.

I'm not currently lifting, but I have in the past. I've seen lots of competitions and I'm sure they go the waxing and tanning route. There's plenty of ways to remove the hair - shaving being the quickest, but it will grow back relatively quickly. If you want to have it waxed, just look for a salon in your area that specializes in that. It's not a pleasant process, but it will give longer lasting results than shaving. If you like the look of less hair, you can spend the money and have it removed with lasers. It takes a number of treatments, but it's more permanent. Lots of medical spas that offer this service. It used to be pretty spendy, but I think the price has come down.

As far as tanning, unless you're going on a tropical vacation and don't want a serious burn, I'd avoid the tanning salons. I'm also of Northern European descent and and naturally pale. I have not had good experiences with tanning salons. Mostly burns and a sun rash that is seriously itchy and uncomfortable. I also don't think it's healthy for your skin to have that much intense UV rays all at one time. If you did it you probably would not turn orange, but there are risks. They do start you off slowly, so it would take a number of sessions to get the look you wanted if you went that route. Do you swim? I have found the best way to get an all over tan is going to my outdoor swimming pool when the sun is out. I swim in the morning and within just a couple days of sunshine my (hard to tan) legs are turning a nice shade of brown along with the rest of me. By mid-summer I have a really nice tan without a burn. Something about the sunrays coming through the water. I don't know why it works that way, but it sure does for me.

Depending on your age and how much weight you've lost, you may just have to live with the loose skin. It's different for everyone. Skin removal surgery is expensive and extremely painful. I can't imagine going that route unless your have a HUGE amount of loose skin and you just can't tolerate it. Check out the TLC show Skin Tight, and you'll see what I mean. Nobody has a perfect body, but we all want to look our best!

Good luck to you!

Davidsdottir wrote: »

I vote to not mess with the chest hair.

I second that! Love it!

I "manscape" but I do it for myself.

It's your body, do what you want w/it but, if you're doing it to try to please someone else, especially someone you haven't even met yet, you may be disappointed.

I would avoid tanning beds personally due to skin cancer, which is particularly relevant since you're pale.

Fake tans (spray on, creams etc) have improved a lot. I've used one once and didn't end up orange (I thought I looked awesome with a tan). It did start to rub off (unevenly) over time though, leaving somewhat of a splotchy look on my skin that I was conscious of. I think it might be the kind of thing that requires a fair amount of upkeep.

Trimmers work for body hair if you just want to avoid that unruly, unmanageable, hair everywhere look. I haven't ever waxed so I can't talk to that. If you find you want to shave your back/shoulders, theres a thing called a BAKblade that will help you with that. I tried it once and cut myself, but I suspect practice makes perfect!

I would think again about the hair as well... when I first started dating my husband I saw that he had removed some of his hair lol.. I thought it was so silly and weird looking!! I asked him why he did it... and he said "well I just assumed you wouldn't like hair" lol!! Every person has a difference preference! I would do what's most comfortable for you, and what makes YOU feel great !

I don't know enough about men's hair removal to suggest anything on that.

I am very fair (like see-through ) and fake tanning has come a long way. You do kind of have to experiment because different products look natural or fake on different people. You can start with products that say they are gradual, so it takes several applications (like using a moisturizer) and you can see how it's going. I know some people who get spray tans, and a good place should carefully consult with you on how dark you want to go, so again you can start off with just a little color to see how you like it. I don't have the money to keep up a spray tan though!

I would also avoid tanning beds, especially for someone with fair skin I think that's too much risk.

Loose skin depends on a lot of factors. For some people it tightens up a lot, for others not so much. For some the loose skin will continue to tighten up over several years.

As for the tan, there is nothing wrong with limited exposure to natural sunlight, with the appropriate SPF sunscreen, increasing the exposure time as you build a base tan.

The chest hair is probably fine to keep. The back and shoulder hair is another story.

You're probably going to have a hard time shaving your own back. I suggest getting it professionally waxed if you are ultra-hairy OR include "must be willing to shave my back" in any personal ads for future partner.