Natalia Naman Temesgen: It's getting hairy out there for Movember

Ladies, the weather is changing. Long pants and sleeved shirts will soon dominate our wardrobes. You know what that means? The burden to shave legs, armpits, and whatever else will be a bit lighter. And we won't be the only ones letting it grow; the men in our lives will start keeping warm with those face insulation systems they sometimes call beards and moustaches.

Much of our laxity in grooming happens without great thought, but there are groups out there that do this intentionally for good causes in the month of November. Ever heard of Movember? It's an annual event that takes place every November since 2003, with an emphasis on raising money and awareness for men's health.

Needless to say, Movember is a fun activity for the guys among you. Ladies are welcome to support, but they function more as cheerleaders than mo-growers (naturally). Get a team together, have a clean shave on Nov. 1, and then see how low you can grow that mustache. Keep in mind, no beards or goatees are allowed during Movember. Of course, while having fun and enjoying the moustachery, participants are encouraged to raise funds for the Movember Foundation. Take a look at us.movember.com for more information and a pretty sweet photo gallery.

There's a similar effort out there that is easier for both men and women to participate in. Formed in 2009, this campaign calls itself No Shave November. It's just what you think it is; participants don't shave anything for the month of November. Men, prepare to look like a lumberjack. And ladies? Well, if you need an excuse -- it's for a great cause!

In 2013, No Shave November formally partnered with the American Cancer Society so that funds raised during its campaign would go directly through ACS to the areas most needed in the fight against cancer. Fighting cancer was always at the heart of No Shave November, as its co-founder's father passed away in 2007 after a decade long battle with the disease. She noticed that he always contributed in creative ways to the cancer community, so she picked up where he left off with No Shave November. "With every whisker grown and dollar raised, No Shave November celebrates the hair that many cancer patients lose and gets one step closer to eradicating the disease," says the organization's website (www.no-shave.org).

Are you up for this? Let's grow our hair out to fight cancer and support men's health. It's good to know that the money we may have spent on razors or waxing appointments can go right toward research, awareness, and health care across the nation. Plus, the advertising is pretty easy after the first week or two. Who wouldn't see your awkwardly patchy beard or hairy female underarm and ask, "What's the heck is that all about?" Your awesome answer may surprise them even more than your hair.

-- Natalia Naman Temesgen is an independent correspondent. Contact her at nataliadian1@gmail.com or on Twitter @cafeaulazy.

This story was originally published November 1, 2014 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Natalia Naman Temesgen: It's getting hairy out there for Movember."