Does Hairy Equal Hottie? Hugh Jackman Puts Male Chest Hair Back in the Spotlight

It's a brand new year, my darlings! That means new possibilities, fresh starts and new outlooks for all. When it comes to those uplifting and simultaneously dreaded New Year's resolutions, people's goals for the new year can range from breaking through personal fitness barriers, to working on organizational skills, to trying to swear less in mixed company, to yes, physical and cosmetic enhancement. Thus, a new year is a new opportunity to tackle pesky weight issues, treat skin problems, and examine the many options in unwanted hair removal.

Chest Hair: Hot or Not?

Now, if some of you (and by some of you, I mean you, me and the entire heterosexual female population) are guilty of ogling People's newly dubbed "Sexiest Man Alive" Hugh Jackman, I'm sure you've heard related buzz about the re-emergence of male chest hair as a sexy attribute.

This claim was largely kicked off by talk of the "Sexiest Man's" own pelt of chest fuzz, and then gained steam as other hunky hairy-chested stars such as Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, and Clive Owen were added to the list. Now each one of those actors is certifiable man candy, it's true, but is it the pelts or the whole package that we swoon for? Let us not forget our many adored smooth-chested adonises, including Christian Bale, Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, David Beckham, and good-as-gold Michael Phelps.

Sadly, when we let the fur fly, the results can turn mammoth--woolly mammoth, that is. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Robin Williams, fuzzy knuckles and all; but my animal attraction there is based on his ability to make me cackle like a hyena, not pounce like a taunted pantheress. A sense of humor does go a long way, but let's be honest ladies: we'd much rather romp around with a man who's suave, powerful and primal...not primate. So guys, take note: Hugh Jackman is the purveyor of our waking feminine fantasies for his Aussie grin and humble charm; yes, it also helps that he has a killer bod. In other words, unless you're hiding pecs worthy of Wolverine under that chest rug, it probably won't score you any extra macho points, or dates for that matter. Plus, body hair growth is never limited to the areas where we want to cultivate it; and I don't think anyone will dispute my abhorrence for back fuzz (see: Charlotte York's Hamptons-pool-side reaction to a half-naked Harry--aptly named).

Men, one of the best ways to remove your wannabe-Burt Reynolds chest 'fro is still laser hair removal. If you go the shaving route, it will become a constant hassle, not to mention in between shaving days you will endure the itchy discomfort of chest stubble; and no woman wants to cozy up to a scratchy chest. Laser hair removal can remove unwanted chest hair, back hair, underarm hair, etc. To learn more, just look up a local hair removal clinic and schedule your first consultation and hair analysis; then make your smooth, chiseled transition into the new year!