Amit Pujari felt like a gorilla at a November wedding when he was 16 years old.
The first-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student was not clad in a leftover, full-bodied Halloween costume; he was embracing an untamed, full beard for No Shave November.
It was Pujari’s first time participating in No Shave November, a movement created in 2009 to support men’s prostate cancer prevention and research by encouraging people to not shave all month. Today, students participate because of trendiness and comfort, though some students criticize the unequal participation between men and women and the lack of awareness toward the cause.
Patricia Martin, a cosmetologist at Campus Cuts, said she has interacted with a number of students participating in the campaign. Although she said her business revenue remains the same in November, many of her November clients request she leave their beards alone.
UCLA’s Fashion and Student Trends executive blog editor, Elissa Abd, a third-year psychology student, said that she has noticed a direct correlation between beard growing and other popular fashion trends, such as the man bun. She believes men are given an opportunity to experiment with their appearance in November.
“If a guy ever wanted to try something a little more risky – either with their hair or their facial hair – now is the time to do it,” Abd said.
One risk-taker is first-year mathematics student Jackson Torres, who said he plans to participate for the third time this year.
“I hate shaving, and it’s an excuse not to shave,” Torres said.
Felix Alexie, a first-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student, partakes in No Shave November because he feels he is able to express himself by fashioning a beard.
“It’s a time for men to really just let everything out,” Alexie said. “In other words, it’s a good time to be yourself, and to be how nature intended you to be.”
While the two students appreciate the freedom that No Shave November conduces, Pujari, a veteran beard grower, is less excited for what is in store these next few weeks.
“It takes a lot to just be able to keep it going for a month,” Pujari said. “Invest in good beard oil. And lotion. Plenty of lotion.”
Although Pujari said growing facial hair can be uncomfortable, he nevertheless donates to the American Cancer Society in support of the larger cause of men’s health. Both Torres and Alexie said, however, that they were unaware of the origins behind the movement.
Jessica Davis, a third-year biochemistry student and UCLA’s Colleges Against Cancer vice president of mission said that although facial hair is trendy, she recognizes the lack of education regarding the true purpose of the movement. She believes most students regard No Shave November in a light hearted manner.
“I’ve seen joke things online where it’s like, ‘No Shave November, Don’t Shave December,’ and it keeps going through out the year,” Davis said.
Davis said that more people should be aware that the money not used to shave for the entirety of November is supposed to be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Besides missing the point of the movement, first-year political science student Garciela Barada noticed another problem: the lack of participation by women.
She said men are generally exempt from being criticized for displaying body hair, whereas women do not enjoy the same social freedom. Due to the media depictions of happy young women with shaven legs, Barada said a stigma has been created for ideal beauty.
Social standards condition women to think they need to look a particular way, Barada said, causing them to be reluctant in joining No Shave November. Barada has decided not to participate because she said she has been influenced by the social norms and feels uncomfortable not shaving.
“A girl who chooses not to shave is sometimes criticized by not just guys around her, but also other girls, because we all subscribe to those ‘standards of beauty,’” Barada said. “When you see a girl with hairy legs, you are like ‘What? What’s going on? You should shave!’”
While Barada’s primary issue with No Shave November lies in the double standard women face during the month, Davis said she remains concerned that not many people are aware of the campaign’s true origins.
She encourages students who know the meaning behind No Shave November to participate, as Davis said the movement has the potential to enlighten the public on the importance of men’s health.
“It is a pretty cool movement and a great way to get the conversation started,” Davis said.