Editing Hair removal (section)

==Other reasons==
===Religion===
Head-shaving ([[tonsure]]) is a part of some [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Islam|Muslim]], [[Jainism|Jain]] and [[Hinduism|Hindu]] traditions.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Karthikeyan K | title = Tonsuring: Myths and facts | journal = International Journal of Trichology | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = 33–34 | date = January 2009 | pmid = 20805974 | pmc = 2929550 | doi = 10.4103/0974-7753.51927 | publisher = MedKnow Publications | doi-access = free }}</ref> Buddhist and Christian [[monks]] generally undergo some form of tonsure during their induction into monastic life.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

Within [[Amish]] society, tradition ordains men to stop shaving a part of their facial hair upon marriage and grow a [[Shenandoah (beard)|Shenandoah]] style beard which serves the significance of wearing a [[wedding ring]], [[moustaches]] are rejected as they are regarded as martial (traditionally associated with the [[military]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Amish|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/amish_1.shtml|work=bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref>

In [[Judaism]] (see [[Shaving in Judaism]]), there is no obligation for women to remove body hair or facial hair, unless they wish to do so. However, in preparation for a woman's immersion in a [[mikveh|ritual bath]] after concluding her days of purification (following her menstrual cycle), the custom of Jewish women is to shave off their pubic hair.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Teherani D |title=Sefer Ma'ayan Ṭaharah Hashalem (The Complete Book 'Wellspring of Purification') |edition=2 |publisher=Beit ha-hora'ah de-kahal kadosh sepharadim |location=Betar Ilit|year=2019 |page=145 (chapter 16, section 41) |language=he|oclc=232673878 }}</ref> During a [[mourning]] ritual, Jewish men are restricted in the [[Torah]] and [[Halakha]] to using scissors and prohibited from using a razor blade to shave their beards or sideburns,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-prohibition-of-shaving-in-the-torah-and-halacha|title=The Prohibition of Shaving in the Torah and Halacha| vauthors = Farber Z |date=2014|website=TheTorah.com|access-date=2021-10-27}}</ref> and, by custom, neither men nor women may cut or shave their hair during the ''[[Shiva (Judaism)|shiva]]'' period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/beards|title=Jewish Practices & Rituals: Beards|date=December 6, 2019|website=Jewish Virtual Library|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/death-and-mourning-in-judaism|title=Death & Bereavement in Judaism: Death and Mourning|date=December 6, 2019|website=Jewish Virtual Library|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Baháʼí Faith]] recommends against complete and long-term head-shaving outside of medical purposes. It is not currently practiced as a law, contingent upon a future decision by the [[Universal House of Justice]], its highest governing body. [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] take an even stronger stance, opposing all forms of hair removal. One of the "[[Five Ks]]" of Sikhism is [[Kesh (Sikhism)|Kesh]], meaning "hair".<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Trüeb RM | title = From Hair in India to Hair India | journal = International Journal of Trichology | volume = 9 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–6 | date = January–March 2017 | pmid = 28761257 | pmc = 5514789 | doi = 10.4103/ijt.ijt_10_17 | publisher = MedKnow Publications | doi-access = free }}</ref> Baptized Sikhs are specifically instructed to have unshorn Kesh (the hair on their head and beards for men) as a major tenet of the Sikh faith. To Sikhs, the maintenance and management of long hair is a manifestation of one's piety.<ref name=":0" /> 

The majority of Muslims believe that adult removal of pubic and axillary hair, as a hygienic measure, is religiously beneficial. Under Muslim law ([[Sharia]]), it is recommended to keep the beard.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} A Muslim may trim or cut hair on the head. In the 9th century, the use of [[Chemical depilatory|chemical depilatories]] for women was introduced by [[Ziryab]] in [[Al-Andalus]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

===Medical===
[[File:Backhair.jpg|thumb|Very pronounced upper body hair growth, probably [[hypertrichosis]], on an adult male.]]

The body hair of surgical patients is often removed beforehand on the skin surrounding [[surgery|surgical sites]]. Shaving was the primary form of hair removal until reports in 1983 showed that it may lead to an increased risk of infection. <ref>{{Cite web|title=The Lancet, 11 June 1983, Volume 321, Issue 8337 - Originally published as Volume 1, Issue 8337, Pages 1291-1344|url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/vol321no8337/PIIS0140-6736(00)X7101-2|access-date=2021-10-12|website=www.thelancet.com}}</ref> [[Hair clippers#Electric hair clippers|Clippers]] are now the recommended pre-surgical hair removal method.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SSI PREVENTION – PATIENT PREPARATION: BATHING AND HAIR REMOVAL|url=https://www.who.int/infection-prevention/countries/surgical/ssi-prevention.pt.prep.fact.sheet.pdf?ua=1|website=World Health Organisation}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=4743 |title=Clip, Don't Nick: Physicians Target Hair Removal to Cut Surgical Infections |access-date=2007-05-14 | vauthors = Ortolon K |date=April 2006 |magazine=[[Texas Medicine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011095659/http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=4743 |archive-date=2007-10-11}}</ref> A 2021 [[systematic review]] brought together evidence on different techniques for hair removal before surgery. This involved 25 studies with a total of 8919 participants. Using a razor probably increases the chance of developing a surgical site infection compared to using clippers or hair removal cream or not removing hair before surgery.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Tanner J, Melen K | title = Preoperative hair removal to reduce surgical site infection | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2021 | issue = 8 | pages = CD004122 | date = August 2021 | pmid = 34437723 | pmc = 8406791 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD004122.pub5 | collaboration = Cochrane Wounds Group }}</ref> Removing hair on the day of surgery rather than the day before may also slightly reduce the number of infections.<ref name=":1" />

Some people with [[trichiasis]] find it medically necessary to remove ingrown eyelashes.<ref>{{cite magazine| vauthors = Bailey R |date=June 6, 2011|title=Does going 'against the grain' give you a better shave?|url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/style/grooming/a748060/grooming-myth-8/|magazine=[[Men's Health]]|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref>

The shaving of hair has sometimes been used in attempts to eradicate [[lice]] or to minimize [[body odor]] due to the accumulation of odor-causing [[micro-organism]]s in hair. In extreme situations, people may need to remove all body hair to prevent or combat infestation by [[lice]], [[fleas]] and other parasites. Such a practice was used, for example, in [[Ancient Egypt]].<ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Kenawy M, Abdel-Hamid Y |date=January 2015|title=Insects in Ancient (Pharaonic) Egypt: A Review of Fauna, Their Mythological and Religious Significance and Associated Diseases|journal=Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology|publisher=Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences|volume=8|issue=1|pages=15–32|doi=10.21608/eajbsa.2015.12919|issn=1687-8809|via=Academic Search Complete|doi-access=free}}</ref>

It has been suggested that an increasing percentage of humans [[Body grooming|removing]] their pubic hair has led to reduced [[crab louse]] populations in some parts of the world.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Armstrong NR, Wilson JD | title = Did the "Brazilian" kill the pubic louse? | journal = Sexually Transmitted Infections | volume = 82 | issue = 3 | pages = 265–266 | date = June 2006 | pmid = 16731684 | pmc = 2564756 | doi = 10.1136/sti.2005.018671 }}</ref><ref>Bloomberg: [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-13/brazilian-bikini-waxes-make-crab-lice-endangered-species-health.html Brazilian bikini waxes make crab lice endangered species], published 13 January 2013, retrieved 14 January 2013</ref>

===In the military===
A [[buzz cut]] or completely shaven haircut is common in military organizations where, among other reasons, it is considered to promote uniformity and neatness.<ref name="BMR1">{{Cite book|title=Basic military requirements|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Noy0RvI2IsC |publisher=Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center|location=Pensacola, Florida|date=1999|pages=10-29, 10-30, 10-31, 12-15, 12-27 |language=en|isbn=}}</ref><ref name="WITM1">{{Cite book|title=Women in the Military|chapter=Boot Camp|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzt_DwAAQBAJ| vauthors = Goldmith C |publisher=[[Lerner Publishing Group]]|location=Minneapolis|date=2019|page=|language=en|isbn=9781541557086}}</ref> Most militaries have [[occupational safety and health]] policies that govern the hair length and hairstyles permitted;<ref name="BMR1" /> in the field and living in close-quarter environments where bathing and sanitation can be difficult, soldiers can be susceptible to parasite infestation such as [[head lice]], that are more easily propagated with long and unkempt hair.<ref name="MS1">{{Cite book|title=War Department Field Manual: Military Sanitation|chapter=Control of Lice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SwjeM9PDdrEC|last=United States. Surgeon-General's Office|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|location=Washington|date=1945|pages=129–132|language=en|isbn=}}</ref> It also requires less maintenance in the field and in adverse weather it dries more quickly. Short hair is also less likely to cause severe burns from flash flame exposure (as a result of [[flash fire]]s from [[explosions]]) which can easily set hair alight.<ref name="BMR1" /> Short hair can also minimize interference with safety equipment and fittings attached to the head, such as [[combat helmet]]s and [[NBC suit]]s.<ref name="BMR1" /> Militaries may also require men to maintain clean-shaven faces as facial hair can prevent an air-tight seal between the face and [[military gas mask]]s or other [[respirator]]y equipment, such as a [[Oxygen mask#Oxygen masks for aviators|pilot's oxygen mask]], or [[full-face diving mask]].<ref name="BMR1" /> The process of testing whether a mask adequately fits the face is known as a "[[respirator fit test]]".

In many militaries, head-shaving (known as the [[induction cut]]) is mandatory for men when beginning their [[recruit training]]. However, even after the initial recruitment phase, when head-shaving is no longer required, many soldiers maintain a completely or partially shaven hairstyle (such as a "[[high and tight]]", "[[flattop]]" or "[[buzz cut]]") for personal convenience or neatness. Head-shaving is not required and is often not permitted for women in military service, although they must have their hair cut or tied to regulation length.<ref name="WITM1" /> For example, the shortest hair a female soldier can have in the U.S. Army is 1/4 inch from the scalp.<ref name="USARMY1">{{Cite news|title=Army releases latest policies on female hairstyles, tattoos |url= https://www.army.mil/article/133794/army_releases_latest_policies_on_female_hairstyles_tattoos | vauthors = Ferdinando L |publisher=[[United States Army]] |location=|date=2014|page=|language=en|access-date=2022-01-05|isbn=}}</ref>

===In sport===
It is a common practice for professional [[association football|footballers (soccer players)]] and [[road bicycle racing|road cyclists]] to remove leg hair for a number of reasons. In the case of a crash or tackle, the absence of the leg hair means the injuries (usually [[road rash]] or scarring) can be cleaned up more efficiently, and treatment is not impeded. Professional cyclists, as well as professional footballers, also receive regular leg [[massage]]s, and the absence of hair reduces the friction and increases their comfort and effectiveness.{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}} Football players are also required to wear shin guards, and in case of a skin rash, the affected area can be treated more efficiently.

It is also common for [[swimming (sport)|competitive swimmers]] to shave the hair off their legs, arms, and torsos (and even their whole bodies from the neckline down), to reduce drag and provide a heightened "feel" for the water by removing the exterior layer of skin along with the body hair.<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Kostich A |title=Why Swimmers Shave Their Bodies|url=http://www.active.com/swimming/Articles/Why-Swimmers-Shave-Their-Bodies.htm|work=active.com|publisher=Active network|access-date=23 March 2014|date=2001-05-15}}</ref>

===As punishment===
In some situations, people's hair is shaved as a punishment or a form of humiliation. After World War II, head-shaving was a common punishment in France, the Netherlands, and Norway for women who had collaborated with the Nazis during the occupation, and, in particular, for women who had sexual relations with an occupying soldier.<ref name="Vinen2007">{{cite book| vauthors = Vinen R |title=The Unfree French: Life Under the Occupation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6sRSyR9CvYcC&q=hair+cutting|date=1 December 2007|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-12601-3|page=352|author-link=Richard Vinen}}</ref>

In the United States, during the [[Vietnam War]], conservative students would sometimes attack student radicals or "hippies" by shaving beards or cutting long hair. One notorious incident occurred at [[Stanford University]], when unruly fraternity members grabbed ''Resistance'' founder (and student-body president) [[David Harris (protester)|David Harris]], cut off his long hair, and shaved his beard.

During European [[witch-hunt]]s of the [[Medieval]] and [[Early Modern period]]s, alleged [[witch]]es were stripped naked and their entire body shaved to discover the so-called [[witches' mark]]s. The discovery of witches' marks was then used as evidence in trials.<ref>{{Cite web| vauthors = Brooks RB |date=2020-05-21|title=What is a Witches' Mark?|url=https://historyofmassachusetts.org/witches-mark/|access-date=2021-12-29|language=en-US}}</ref>

Inmates have their heads shaved upon entry at certain prisons.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}