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Do firefighters have to shave their body hair?

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Aug 22, 20240 comments

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Men love to show off their beards and sometimes their body hair. And many women also prefer men with beards. However, the general trends in men's body and facial hair are least disturbing when it comes to certain professions such as firefighters, police, military and more.

So, have you come across information that says you can't have body hair or a beard if you want to work as a firefighter? And that confused you? Well, to some extent, that's true.

Also, in this article, we will help you answer your questions. So, let's find out the answers to all your questions about body hair among firefighters, as well as the methods they can use to get rid of unwanted or perhaps desirable hair.

Table of contents:

Part 1: Do firefighters have to shave their body hair? If so, why?
Part 2: Are firefighters allowed to have facial hair?
Part 3: Do firefighters have to shave their facial hair?
Part 4: What does the NFPA say about facial hair?
Part 5: Can male firefighters have long hair?
Part 6: The 5 Best Body and Facial Hair Removal Methods for Firefighters
Part 7: Conclusion

Do firefighters have to shave their body hair? If so, why?

It is common for firefighters to have no beard and short head hair. However, when it comes to removing hair on the chest, arms, legs and other parts of the body, shaving is more of a personal choice than a job requirement.

But from another point of view, it is better to shave your body regularly. The reason for this is that hair removal has many benefits for men, especially those who do physical jobs, such as firefighters. Some of these benefits are:

Improved speed and agility as there is no hair to increase air resistance
Pleasant working environment, as hair can make the body itch and sweat
Reduced body odor even after long working hours
Prevents small insects from attaching themselves to the hair on the body
Better performance in sports and athletics during training

Are firefighters allowed to have facial hair?

The issue of facial hair for firefighters is very different from the issue of body hair. The reason for this is that there are clear regulations when it comes to firefighters wearing beards.

In most countries, including the UK, Canada and America, firefighters are required to have little or no facial hair, especially below the lips, upon recruitment, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [1] .

In addition, a 2015 regulation allowed firefighters to have short, trimmed facial hair that is not cut by a razor blade. This regulation was made to protect firefighters from pseudofolliculitis barbae, which is caused by constant shaving [2] .

Do firefighters have to shave their facial hair?

Yes, most firefighters shave their facial hair every day to keep their face clean. However, this is not the case for all firefighters because not all of them work directly on the fire scene.

Shaving is essential for firefighters involved in firefighting and rescue operations, as they must wear the breathing apparatus. A well-sealed face mask prevents inhalation of toxins and smoke.

However, the beard can impair the seal of the face mask. Therefore, firefighters on duty must regularly groom their facial hair, especially below the upper lip, regardless of the reason for wearing a beard [3] .

What does the NFPA say about facial hair?

Just like other organizations that administer the rules for professions such as firefighting, the National Fire Protection Association has the same comments on facial hair for firefighters.

Therefore, the “ NFPA 1500 does not permit firefighters with beards or facial hair to use respirators with a facepiece designed to be flush with the face, or with hair that could interfere with the respirator’s function, to use respiratory protection during emergencies or in hazardous or potentially hazardous atmospheres ” as stated in the NFPA guidelines [4] .

In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration prohibits firefighters from having any form of beard or facial hair for safety reasons.

Are male firefighters allowed to have long hair?

There are no specific rules regarding the length of hair in the fire service. The only requirement is that the hair is tied back, neat, looks professional and does not hinder you in your work.

Female firefighters can have long hair. This also applies to male firefighters, as long as they take care that the hair does not hinder them in their duties [5] .

However, long hair can be quite difficult to maintain and keep outside, which is why it is recommended that firefighters have short hair.

Additionally, hair care policies may vary from region to region and location to location, so be sure to research the policies of the workplace you're applying to to find out if you can keep your long dreads or if you'll have to say goodbye to them.

The 5 Best Body and Facial Hair Removal Methods for Firefighters

Despite the uncertainties and differences in guidelines regarding body and head hair for firefighters, a clean shave is a must to pass the fitness test.

Having short hair and a hairless body can also add to your qualifications, so here are some ways to maintain your body and facial hair when applying for a job with the fire department.

Shave

Shaving is the number one method for removing facial and body hair for men. It's super quick, inexpensive, effortless and effective on thick hair for men. Plus, you can make it a part of your daily morning routine.

All you need is shaving foam, aftershave and a razor. Shaving is a great way to take care of your beard as it allows for a close shave.

Even though shaving takes only a short amount of time, you have to be careful not to cut yourself and you will need new blades from time to time. Shaving can also cause pseudofolliculitis barbae.

waxing

The next method that is equally effective for body and facial hair is waxing. You can get it done professionally every month to remove the hair for 2 to 4 weeks. Plus, you won't get cuts, ingrown hairs, or skin irritation.

However, you must be well prepared to endure the pain of pulling out the hair at the roots. Also, most men want waxing on their bodies, but not on their faces.

depilatory creams

Depilatory creams can become the best friend of men who are looking for an effortless method of hair removal. They are as quick as shaving, but without cuts. In addition, they work well on large areas such as chest and leg hair, and in this case the duration is more than a week.

However, they are not the best choice for regular use as they contain harmful chemicals that can cause burns on your skin.

Electric shavers and epilators

Electric shavers and epilators with multiple attachments for the face, body and intimate areas can also be a good investment for firefighters. The reason for this is that these travel-friendly devices can be used anywhere, anytime. Plus, they are gentle and safe for the skin.

However, the problem that hair grows back quickly after shaving and the extreme pain during epilation remain.

IPL devices for hair removal

There is a method of hair removal that is not only the least painful, but also provides the most long-lasting results while being skin-friendly. It is IPL hair removal, which is suitable for both body hair and beards in men .

Devices such as the Ulike Sapphire Air 10 IPL device makes IPL hair removal the ultimate grooming technique for men because it is CE/FDA approved, has multiple modes for body, face and intimate areas and with its different intensity levels is ideal for thick and coarse hair on men.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, male firefighters are not allowed to have beards under any circumstances so that they can properly wear breathing apparatus and protect themselves during operations.

Fortunately, the rules regarding body and head hair are somewhat flexible depending on the region, department and the firefighter themselves.

So make sure you are clean-shaven before applying for a job. Removing body hair and trimming your hair will also be a plus point in your aptitude test.