Manscaping goes mainstream: Why men have taken to body grooming

Body grooming is no longer solely of interest to young men influenced by ‘Love Island’. It has become the norm among all ages and demographics, including rugby stars

Abs you could eat off of - and not a hair to be found. Pic: iStock

Back in the days when rugby was more associated with post-match booze-ups and flying Welsh out-halves, legend has it that in some scrums, players may deploy the ‘tactic’ of painfully tugging at an opponent’s armpit hair.

Well, that’s unlikely to happen these days — and for more reasons than one. Ireland and Munster star Conor Murray has become the first male laser hair removal ambassador thanks to his collaboration with Thérapie Clinic. It comes as the company says its male laser hair removal customer base has grown by 80% since 2022.