B.O. ad from the United Kingdom-1932

[albear.livejournal.com]

Shave your underarm hair! That's what I do and I'm a guy Click on picture to enlarge.

Comments

[albear.livejournal.com]

And way earlier than this. Actually it dates from 1901 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veet)!

[badfae.livejournal.com]

Whoa. I had no idea! Neat :)

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the "delightfully perfumed" paste smelled like, taken that it was probably manufactured out of urea at the time.

[silera.livejournal.com]

Oh so *that's* what I've been smelling...

[seamonkey-mags.livejournal.com]

At least modern advertising is insidiously horrible, but not mean enough to make you cry immediately!

[salenelle.livejournal.com]

when I break delicate news to a friend, I like to choose tender encouraging words like ugly, repulsive, and disgusting. Just so they know my aim is true, and they can count on me to give it to 'em, right between the eyes.

[llamamuffins.livejournal.com]

Underarm hair?

OH, THE AGONY!

[keristars.livejournal.com]

I'm suddenly inspired to do some research on when removal of underarm hair first came into vogue and how it's been dealt with, but I'm afraid of getting sucked into a wiki. oh noes. D:

[aratama.livejournal.com]

Wikipedia doesn't have much on it.

In the West, the practice began around 1915 in the US and UK, when one or more magazines showed a woman in a dress with shaved underarms. Regular shaving became feasible with the introduction of the safety razor at the beginning of the 20th century. While underarm shaving was quickly adopted in English speaking countries, especially in the US and Canada, it did not become widespread on the Continent of Europe until well after World War II.[1]

Also relevant:

However, removing armpit hair, whether by shaving or any other method, increases the amount of moisture allowed to cling to the skin and if combined with a disturbed acid mantel caused by the use of most soaps (basic pH), may lead to increased body odor. Alternatively, it can be argued that the hair itself can serve as harborage for odor-causing bacteria and that its removal or trimming increases hygiene.

[keristars.livejournal.com]

Wooo, you've saved me! :D



I love that the "reason" for armpit-shaving is mostly bunk, well, partly. But the magazines couldn't be all "yes, it is now en vogue to shave your armpits, because the goal is to look like a little boy" now could they?

[glass-houses.livejournal.com]

"Now my skin is so clean and white"

I see racist advertising!