Hegseth Limits Shaving Waivers to One Year—Despite Condition Disproportionately Affecting Black Men
An airman has his neck and face inspected during a shaving waiver course at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Service members who require medical shaving waivers for more than a year must separate from the military, according to a new Defense Department policy. (Colville McFee/U.S. Air Force) Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-09-16/pentagon-limits-medical-shaving-waivers-19111274.html Source - Stars and Stripes
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the military to tighten rules on shaving exemptions, stating that service members who require facial hair waivers for more than a year will be discharged, according to a memo dated August 20 and obtained by the Associated Press.
While military commanders may still grant shaving waivers—primarily for medical reasons—the new policy requires each exemption to be accompanied by a treatment plan. If the condition persists beyond one year, the service member will be separated from duty.
“The Department must remain vigilant in maintaining the grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos,” Hegseth wrote.
The policy applies across all branches of the military and comes amid a broader push to reinforce traditional appearance standards, following years of relaxed grooming rules often implemented in response to service member feedback.
Most waivers are granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), a skin condition that causes irritation after shaving and disproportionately affects Black men. The memo does not specify what treatments will be offered or whether the military will cover the costs.
It also does not clarify whether the updated rules will impact existing exemptions for special forces or troops in extreme cold environments—such as Alaska—where shaving can be medically risky. Nor does it mention whether mustaches will still be permitted.
The move follows recent grooming policy updates by individual branches. The Army this week announced changes to standards on hairstyles, nail length, earrings, and makeup—particularly for women. In January, the Air Force introduced a new rule limiting authorized nail polish colors to three, including clear, scaling back a previous policy that allowed 60 shades.
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