Keep the shaving supplies in the cabinet for the month — No Shave November and Movember are now underway.
As Salt Lake Community College students decide to participate in these new traditions, they may not be aware of the differences between No Shave November and Movember.
No Shave November
No Shave November encourages both men and women to grow their body hair. This gives participants a chance to embrace their natural side and also show support for cancer patients who have lost their hair during treatment.
“I didn’t know there was any meaning behind No Shave November,” says student Michael Waters. “I thought it was just [for fun] to grow out our facial hair.”
The official website also asks individuals who abstain from shaving this month to take the money saved and donate to the American Cancer Society.
Movember
Movember is all about the mustache. Men are supposed grow the hair on their upper lip to raise awareness for health issues such as cancer and mental illness.
The mustache gets men talking about these issues and spreads the word about the cause.
“I think it is really cool that they are raising awareness for cancer, but I don’t think a lot of people know that,” says student Steven Guzman. “I didn’t know until like a year ago.”
Despite the worthy cause, some people can’t bring themselves to take a break from grooming.
“I think it is kind of gross,” says student Tyler Knighton. “I am [all about] hygiene … if I go two days without shaving I can’t handle it [as a girl].”
For the women who feel that not shaving for a month isn’t ladylike, there are other ways to get involved.
Women can take it among themselves to support the men in their lives by talking to them about men’s health issues.
As for men, it gives them an excuse to flaunt their facial hair and embrace their manliness.
“I think No Shave November is kind of fun,” Waters says. “I feel like when I [grow a beard] it makes me look more manly.”
Whatever students decide to do with their hair, November now has two new traditions to raise awareness for cancer and men’s health.
