How to Trim Arm Hair

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 13, 2022 References

If you have long arm hair that you don't want, there's no need to worry! It’s easy to groom your hair to keep your arms looking smooth and hair-free. Instead of using a razor or shaver, simply trim your hair every 1 to 3 months. You can use either an electric trimmer or a sharp pair of scissors. Take your time, make small snips, and you’ll trim your arm hair to a comfortable length.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deciding on Hair Length

1
Leave more hair on your arms if you want a rugged, lumberjack look. When it comes to arm hair length, it is a matter of personal preference. If you are comfortable with a little longer hair, use a short guard if using electric trimmers or trim only a tiny bit of hair off if using scissors.^{[1]
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- This is a more natural look that looks good on men.
2
Trim your hair so ¹⁄₂–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) remains for a slightly hairy look. If you don’t want to trim off all of your hair but want to groom your arms, avoid trimming your arm hair too short. Remove some of the hair, but stop when your hair is at your desired length.^{[2]
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- This looks good for both men and women.
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3
Cut your hair ¹⁄₈–¹⁄₄ in (0.32–0.64 cm) above the skin for a smooth style. If you want to trim your arm hair short, make your cuts close to the skin or don’t use a guard on your trimmers. Avoid cutting your hair all the way at the skin, as the hairs may grow in darker.^{[3]
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- This is a good idea if you are a bodybuilder or fitness enthusiast and want to show off your guns.
- This is a popular look for women as well as men.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an Electric Trimmer

1
Use a trimmer with an adjustable guards to avoid uneven spots. When trimming arm hair, the goal is to get a uniform hair length. Using electric clippers is the easiest way to do this, since there are different guard settings available. To put on the guard, place the tip of the razor into the guard and snap it into place.^{[4]
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- If you want longer arm hair, use a 4-6 guard size.
- If you want medium length hair, use a 2-4 guard.
- For very short arm hair, use a 0-2 guard size.
2
Align the trimmer in the opposite direction of your hair growth. To best trim your hair, look at your arm hair to determine its direction of growth. Then, position the electric trimmer in the opposite direction.^{[5]
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- This way, you can trim the hair completely rather than smoothing it over your skin.
3
Start at the top of your shoulder and trim until you reach your forearms. Hold the flat side of the razor against your skin, and move your trimmer in 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) sections across your shoulder.^{[6]
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4
Trim the hair on the front and back of your bicep. Position your electric trimmer so the flat edge is against your skin, and move it in small sections to trim your hair. Oftentimes, the bicep is where uneven patches of hair grow. Make sure you follow the opposite direction of your hair growth.^{[7]
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- The hair can grow in different directions around your bicep.
5
Work your way to your forearms to complete your trim job. Once you trim the hair on your biceps, continue trimming down your arms to your forearms. You may have to switch directions again, based on the way your hair grows. Once you trim the hair around your wrist, you are finished.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trimming with Scissors

1
Comb the arm hair the opposite way of the hair growth. Use a fine-tooth comb to brush the hair backwards several times. Do this until the hair is mostly vertical, so you can easily see its total length.^{[9]
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- Combing your hair the opposite direction makes it easy for you to see the hair and trim it to your desired length.
2
Trim along the top of your arm hair using small, sharp scissors. Trimming scissors work great for trimming your arm hair. After you comb your hair upwards, make small snips across your arm hair, starting with your forearm. Remove any uneven areas and try to get all of your hair the same length.^{[10]
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- When trimming your hair with scissors, starting at your forearm ensures the rest of your hair will be the close to the same length.
3
Comb and trim your arm hair until you achieve your desired look. As you trim your hair, it may make it easier if you comb up your hair again. That way, you can easily see the length. After you comb the hair, trim it in small sections until you are comfortable with your outcome. Take your time as you do this to avoid messing up.^{[11]
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- As you trim, check to make sure you don’t have any high or low spots in your arm hair. You want your hair to all be close to the same length.
- If you rush, you can cut your hair too short or cut yourself.
- Avoid over-trimming your arm hair. You can always trim more off, but you can’t put it back if you cut it too short!
4
Comb the hair back down in the direction of the hair growth. When you are finished trimming your arm hair, use your fine-toothed comb to smooth your hair back against your arm.^{[12]
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- Combing your hair again also makes makes it easier to notice any long patches or uneven sections.

Community Q&A

Question

After trimming, will my arms hairs look sharp and thick?

Community Answer

They will look clean and sharp. As for thickness, it depends on how thick your arm hair is.

Warnings

Avoid trimming your arm hair too close to the skin. This could cause ingrown hairs or scrapes.

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Avoid trimming your hair too quickly so you don’t pull out the hair.

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