If you're still stumbling into the bathroom first thing in the morning and scraping your stubble off with a blunt Bic, then shame on you. It's time to take your morning shave seriously.

First you need your products. A decent exfoliating scrub is pretty essential - it doesn't have to be anything fancy - and will soften up your stubble and reduce the chance of nasty ingrowing hairs for a smoother, cleaner shave.

Then there's the wet or dry dilemma. Let's be honest, despite the fact there's some lovely looking electric dry shavers out there, when it comes to precision and closeness, nothing beats the traditional wet shave. It's not rocket science - just get a good safety razor and ensure you change your blades at least once a week.

Before you start all you have to do is negotiate the baffling range of oils, foams, gels, creams and meringues to prepare your skin. Frankly it's a lifetime's task and if you find one that suits you then good luck, otherwise you can't go wrong with the traditional shaving soap, mug and badger brush. And always shave with the grain of your stubble, rinse your razor as you go and use your fingers to gently stretch your skin to avoid nicks.

A good clean shave looks great on most men, but don't rule out a considered facial hair moment. Approach goatees with extreme caution and if you're going to go for a fuller beard (good for disguising receding chins and creating jawlines for, let's just say, the 'fuller-faced' gentleman) make sure you invest in a good electric trimmer to avoid Moses-style frizz.

Now, the prospect of head-shaving to the novice is understandably more than a little daunting. We refer, then, the undecided follically-challenged masses to the words of great wit Quentin Crisp when asked how to treat hair loss: "Shave your head. You must embrace the loss of your hair - swim with the tide, but faster."

The first step is to trim all your hair down to stubble (a quick visit to the barbers or at home with some hair clippers) before showering your head to get it as soft and wet as possible. There's a variety of electric head shavers on the market (which are quick and easy) but obviously for the closest, smoothest finish you're best with a good quality safety razor or a specialised head-shaving razor such as Headblade.

Get a lot of shaving lube on your head (again a company like Headblade have a range of specialised products) and start with the softer areas first, shaving with the grain, to allow the tougher areas to soften up as much as possible. For least chance of nicking your scalp go over each area only once.

Your post-shave routine is pretty important too: after washing off and towelling your head dry you will need to moisturise with a good Aloe Vera or Vitamin E-based lotion to prevent irritation. Whatever you do, avoid an alcohol-based aftershave - it will dry your scalp and sting like hell.

There really isn't any good reason for shaving your chest, certainly in terms of personal style. But then again, many women seem to prefer the eel-smooth torso and removing the hair is certainly a good way to give those pecs a bit of extra definition - especially if you've been working out at the gym.

So, if you are self-conscious about an overly fecund chest-bush and do want to opt for total removal, we would recommend pretty much the same routine as for head shaving: a preliminary trim, a good long hot shower to open up the pores, ample amounts of lubricant, careful shaving with a fresh blade, cool water then pat dry.

Once you're done you no longer have to hide behind a lifetime of polo necks and buttoned collars. To display your assets opt for V-neck T-shirts and one more button than usual undone on your shirt. Just don't go for a deep, deep V-neck - it's a little gratuitous.

The back is of course the bete noir of body areas sprouting hair growth. While chest hair and a full wavy head growth are often (and unfairly it must be said) seen as sign of masculine virility, a furry back and shoulders is cruelly relegated to the realms of King Kong.

So we are left to direct you towards either a professional back wax job or more economically a home job. The same procedures as outlined above, but unless you are triple jointed or have extra limbs you will need either an extension device for your razor (Razorba do a good one), an electric one (the Mangroomer product is well regarded) or a friend to help. Good luck finding one!