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Trimming underarm hair at a glance
A trimmer shortens underarm hair without a razor’s close pass. It suits keeping the hair short and tidy, and a body groomer with a foil head can shave closer when you want it. This guide covers what the AAD and Cleveland Clinic advise for underarm hair removal and five trimmers that are in stock on Amazon US. Most of the picks are sold as body groomers, so check the manual for underarm use.- The AAD says shaving is painless unless you cut yourself, and that the results are short-lived. Frequent shaving can irritate the skin, and cuts, nicks and razor burn happen.[1]
- To reduce razor bumps, the AAD advises shaving in the direction the hair grows, shaving when the hair is soft after a shower, and cleaning an electric razor every 5 to 7 shaves.[2]
- Cleveland Clinic names the armpits among the places where ingrown hairs are likely, and lists an electric shaver held just above the skin among the ways to treat them at home.[3]
- Cleveland Clinic says to use a single-blade razor and to rinse the blade after every stroke if you shave.[3]
- The AAD says hair removal makes tiny tears in the skin, so do not share trimmers or razors.[4]
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice. See a dermatologist if underarm hair removal leaves painful bumps, pus or scars.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Type | Power | Wet or dry | Key extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Groomer and trimmer | Rechargeable | Wet and dry | 8 trim lengths |
| 2 | Shaver and trimmer | Rechargeable (100 min) | Wet and dry | 11 lengths, 3 combs |
| 3 | Trimmer | Rechargeable | Wet and dry | 2-12 mm combs, LED light |
| 4 | Trimmer | Rechargeable (100 min) | Wet and dry | Two combs, LED halo light |
| 5 | Shaver and trimmer | Rechargeable (120 min) | Wet and dry | 11 lengths, back attachment |
– not stated in the listing · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker; check the label before you buy · Not a treatment for any skin condition
Is It OK to Trim Armpit Hair?
Yes, and many people prefer it to shaving. Trimming leaves hair at a set length, so it avoids the cuts and razor burn the AAD lists for shaving.[1]- Fewer Nicks – A trimmer with a comb keeps the blade off the skin. A razor can cut and nick, and the AAD lists cuts, nicks and razor burns as shaving injuries.[1]
- Ingrown Hairs – Cleveland Clinic says they follow shaving, waxing and tweezing, and it lists an electric shaver held just above the skin among ways to treat them at home.[3]
- Closeness – A comb leaves hair at the set length. A foil shaver head, such as the Philips Body Groomer’s, shaves closer.
- Results – Trimmed hair is back within days, like shaved hair, since the AAD says shaving results are short-lived.[1]
How to Trim Your Underarms
- Wash and Dry – Start with clean skin and a clean trimmer. The AAD says shaving after a shower, when the hair is soft, helps prevent bumps.[2]
- Position Your Arm – Raise your arm and place your hand behind your head so the skin is taut.
- Pick the Attachment – Choose a comb for the length you want. The Philips Body Groomer has 11 lengths from 0.2 to 7 mm, the Manscaped trimmer has combs from 2 to 12 mm and the Platinum Pro trimmer has 8 length settings.
- Go With the Grain – The AAD says to shave in the direction the hair grows to avoid irritation. Use the same direction with a trimmer.[2]
- Clean Afterward – The AAD says to clean an electric razor every 5 to 7 shaves.[2]
What to Look for in an Underarm Trimmer
- Underarm Use – The Platinum Pro names the underarms, chest and shoulders as its areas. The Philips, Manscaped and Gillette models are sold for the body and groin, so confirm underarm use in the manual.
- Combs and Lengths – More comb lengths let you choose how short to go.
- Wet or Dry – All five picks are waterproof or showerproof, and they rinse clean under the tap.
- Corded or Cordless – These five are rechargeable. The Philips Body Groomer 7000 runs 120 minutes, the 5000 runs 100 minutes and the Gillette i7 runs 100 minutes.
- Light – The Manscaped and Gillette models have LED lights that light up the area you are trimming.
How We Chose These Underarm Trimmers
We research products using manufacturer information, ingredient lists, retailer listings and guidance from dermatology and health organizations. We do not test products in person. Read more in How We Research. We also checked that every pick is in stock on Amazon US. We looked at these factors:- Features – Combs, blade design, wet or dry use and power named on the product page.
- Body fit – Whether the maker names the underarms or the body as an area.
- Power – Rechargeable runtime.
- Sources – What the AAD and Cleveland Clinic say about shaving, razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
- Stock – Whether the product is in stock on Amazon US.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Underarm Trimmers
- What do I do about an ingrown hair? Cleveland Clinic advises exfoliating gently with warm water and small circles, and says not to pick, scratch or pop the hair. See a healthcare provider if it looks infected.[3]
- Which direction should I trim? The AAD says to shave in the direction your hair grows, because shaving against the grain causes irritation.[2]
- How often should I clean my trimmer? The AAD says to clean an electric razor every 5 to 7 shaves.[2]
- Can I share my trimmer? No. The AAD says hair removal makes tiny tears in the skin, so shared tools can pass on infections.[4]
Our Picks: Trimmer for Armpit Hair
Here are 5 trimmers for armpit hair. Each one is in stock on Amazon US. We hope you love the trimmers we recommend! This does not change your price.1 The Platinum Pro by Mangroomer is the pick that names the underarms.
- Two tools in one: a foil body groomer on one side and a trimmer with 8 length settings on the other.
- The trimmer cuts as close as 1/16 inch and is made for the underarms, chest and shoulders.
- It is a lithium battery, wet/dry unit with a charging cradle and a storage case.
- The maker states it is for use below the neck only, not for the beard, face or head.
2 The Philips Body Groomer 5000 pairs a foil shaver head with a trimmer head.
- It comes with a foil shaver head and a trimmer head, with 11 trim lengths from 0.2 to 7 mm using two adjustable combs and an intimate comb.
- Rounded trimmer tips and a hypoallergenic foil are part of the skin protection system.
- The body is showerproof, and the Li-Ion battery runs 100 minutes with a 5-minute quick charge over USB.
- The blades sharpen themselves, and Philips says to replace the foil every 12 months.
3 The Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0 Plus is a ceramic-blade trimmer with two combs.
- A rounded ceramic SkinSafe blade with a built-in guard sits under two adjustable combs that trim from 2 to 12 mm.
- The body is waterproof for wet or dry use, and an LED light lights the area.
- Replacement blades are available, and the trimmer is made for below-the-waist grooming and works on the body and back too.
4 The Gillette i7 Intimate is a compact trimmer with an LED halo light.
- Two attachable combs come with it, including a 2 mm comb, and an LED halo light lights the path.
- A travel lock stops the battery draining in a bag, and the 100-minute runtime comes with a charging stand.
- The handle is short, with rubberized grip pads, and the body is waterproof.
5 The Philips Body Groomer 7000 adds a charging stand and a foldable back attachment.
- A flexing shaver head and a trimmer head share one handle, with 11 trim lengths from 0.2 to 7 mm across five combs.
- A foldable attachment extends your reach for the back, and the body is showerproof.
- The Li-Ion battery runs 120 minutes, and the kit has a charging stand, a travel lock and a travel pouch.
Index Table: Top-Rated Trimmer for Armpit Hair
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Platinum Pro Body Groomer - Mangroomer Body Groomer and Trimmer |  | Platinum Pro | |
| 2 | Philips Body Groomer 5000 - Dual-Head Body Groomer |  | Philips | |
| 3 | Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0 Plus - Groin and Body Trimmer |  | Manscaped | |
| 4 | Gillette i7 Intimate - Pubic Hair Trimmer |  | Gillette | |
| 5 | Philips Body Groomer 7000 - Dual-Head Body Groomer |  | Philips |
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Hair removal: How to shave. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). 6 razor bump prevention tips from dermatologists. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. Ingrown Hair. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). 7 ways to prevent injuries while trimming pubic hair. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around AAD and Cleveland Clinic guidance on shaving, razor bumps and ingrown hairs; removed the claims that shaving makes hair grow back thicker and that trimming prevents ingrowth, itchiness and razor burn, the beard-trimmer pick and the FDA recalls source; replaced the out-of-stock Remington MB4700 beard trimmer with the Philips Body Groomer 7000; added a Key Specs table, How We Chose and a FAQ; rewrote all product notes and updated Sources
- Feb 2022: Added Remington MB4700 Smart Beard Trimmer
- Dec 2021: First published
