Despite body hair becoming more visible – for example, celebrities including Amandla Stenberg, Miley Cyrus and Rachel McAdams have all allowed themselves to be photographed with au naturel armpits – 63% of the women we spoke to actively dislike their body hair.

Reasons for this included everything from overall maintenance to feelings of self-consciousness about having hairy areas on show.

A quarter of those surveyed also thought their feelings towards their body hair impacts their relationships with others. This attitude peaks amongst a younger audience, those aged 20-34.

62% remove their arm hair and 30% remove facial hair to avoid unwanted comments from others, while 30% remove hair from their pubic area for a partner.

Inclusivity is also an issue, with over half of women from ethnic minority groups feeling like their body hair is not represented in the media.

While this might make uneasy reading for women who hate feeling influenced by institutionalised or cultural beauty ideals – and ones that have obviously influenced us from adolescence – the landscape is starting to change.

15% of the women we surveyed felt empowered by their body hair and 59% agreed that expectations around body hair have changed. 50% of women stated that they feel more comfortable with their body hair than they used to be.

“As I enter my mid-20s, I feel I’m now constantly aware of how we’re conditioned as women to preen and alter our appearances for an agenda that’s not our own,” says Maddie, 26.

“As a mini act of rebellion, I’ve learnt to adapt my mindset and celebrate my body for what it is, and for what it can do for me. It’s not always easy, but I’ll wear a mini dress without obsessing over how my legs look. When I do choose to remove my body hair, I make it a relaxing, chuck-a-podcast on, self-care ritual so I know that I’m doing it for myself and no one else.”

We asked women how they feel about their body hair in 2023: here’s what they said