Decorating the downstairs: Gentlemen, dress up your package

ILLUSTRATION BY BREE JONES/THE ARBITER

INTRODUCTION:

U.S. President Barack Obama isn’t the only one campaigning for a change of scenery; men and women across the United States are becoming more and more adventurous with the idea of decorating their pubic areas.

The idea of manscaping has been around for a while, but most men are either too shy to speak up about it, or consider it a blow to their masculinity to pay a visit to their local day spa.

WAXING:

Traditionally, Brazilian waxes have been considered services only women get. However, “down there” waxes for men are becoming increasingly popular. Danielle Owen, esthetician and owner of Spa du Soleil, said they get an average of five men a week to get the Manzilian, the “Brazilian for men.” Half of her waxing clientele are male. The Manzilian wax consists of removing hair from around the front and back of the pelvic area, and can include the testicles. Owen advised against shaving for males because pubic hair is thicker and more coarse. So shaving contributes to nasty “bikini burn,” which causes bumps, rashes, itching and irritation.

“There’s a myth that when you shave, your hair grows back thicker,” Owen explained. “But really what happens is you’re just creating a blunt edge, and then it feels thicker. It can also split the hair, so it creates a split end. So then you’re growing out a split end.”

Waxing essentially pulls out the hair from the root, which means it takes longer for the hair to grow back, so you’re left with smooth, silky skin. Owen recommended that men go in for a wax about every three weeks.

PIERCING:

If you’re looking to try something a bit more daring and want to add some bling to your ding-a-ling, genital piercings are another trend on the rise.

“A lot of people who are interested in body modification but have careers, families; they get curious about modifying their body, but don’t have to worry about how people will react,” said Matt Funaiole, a body piercer at Imperial Body Art.

In an interview with WebMD.com, Elayne Angel, a professional piercer in New Orleans and Medical Coordinator for the Association of Professional Piercers, reported that most people get genital piercings to bring increased stimulation for both parties during sex.

If the idea of piercing your “Johnson” makes your head spin, don’t worry. According to Funaiole, it’s actually more awkward than painful. Most men aren’t used to having their package handled by a stranger, much less having it pierced.

Funaiole also said the frenum and Prince Albert are the two most common types of piercings. The frenum piercing is located on the underside of the shaft, and is usually perpendicular to the frenulum. The Prince Albert goes through the frenulum and into the urethra.

“Most people who do get below-the-belt piercings are comfortable with their sexuality,” Funaiole said. “A lot of piercings increase sensitivity. Sometimes it’s just strictly ornamental to decorate the area.”

If genital piercings are properly done and cared for, the risk of infection is low.

“Both male and female anatomy has lots of blood flow to the area,” Funaiole said. “Fluid exchange during the healing process is the biggest problem. Use protection.”

Funaiole also advised that people be cautious of where they go to get pierced.

“If a piercer says they’re a certified body piercer, they’re lying,” Funaiole warned. “There is no such thing.”

If your pain threshold is low, but you still want to sparkle up your manly bits, there is the option of penazzling — adding jewels to decorate the area around the penis. Vagazzling was originally endorsed by Jennifer Love Hewitt, but has been adapted to fit males, too. They can be applied at a salon or at home.

PUBE DYE:

Betty, a pubic hair dye, is a gentle dye to color your curlies a variety of colors including pink, aqua, red, green or purple. For the men who are going gray, there are also basic hair colors such as black, brown, auburn and blond. According to bettybeauty.com, the dye does not contain ammonia or parabens, and is safe to use in the genital area.

CONCLUSION:

Let’s face it, guys, your “Mini Me” is only entertaining for so long. After a while, things start to get a little boring down there. So whether you bedazzle your disco stick or paint your carpet to match your curtains, there is an endless list of possibilities to decorate your downstairs.

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Posted by Lauren Hooker on Jan 31 2011. Filed under Culture, Main Feature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.