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DD2 has inherited my dark, thick hair and she already has dark hair on her legs and upper lip. We are extremely fair of complexion so this really stands out. I was teased alot at school and it made me very depressed. My mom only let me start shaving when I was 12 and by then my self confidence was shattered. So when do I let DD start shaving? She is only 3 atm so I know I'm thinking about this early, but I just want to be prepared.
I was 13 - no one else really shaved their legs in my age group before then so there was no pressure. I didn't have very hairy legs though.
I will be watching this thread with interested because my 13 yo DD has just asked about this for the first time, I'm not sure how to proceed.
I wasnt allowed until I hit highschool so 13 but I was teased over it, I think it would have been easier on me if my parents let me when all the other girls started about yr 5-6. Mum had her reasons though she wanted me not to get the dark itchy hairs so quickly and she had to shave regually so I guess she was trying to save me the effort. Definatly positives to both sides.
I first shaved when I was 12 - I was quite hairy, but blonde hairs, not dark. I did have a mustache though, and wasn't allowed to wax til I was 15. That caused me more anxiety than the legs, at least they were blonde yknow?
I reckon from 11 as kids can be so cruel about stuff like that.
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I was 12 and got picked on before that because of it.
I think if she comes to you asking, maybe discuss the pros and cons with her and let her make her own decision.
I still resent my mum a bit, for not letting me shave.
I started myself without permission from 13yrs old. By the time your DD get's to shaving age you could even consider IPL. Especially for the upper lip.
When she starts to ask if she can, I would start the conversation and go from there.
I have done SPL for my neck, underarms and upper lip. I can live with shaving the legs as it is so expensive to do SPL or IPL on the legs. I really don't think my hair has become courser or thicker due to shaving and I have been shaving for 20 year now. So what difference will it make if you start shaving at 10 or 13? I bleached my upper lip until I heard about SPL so I might give her that option when she is old enough.
mine never let me. I think I started when I was about 18... after I had an AVO on my Mum and my Dad moved interstate!
I am still scarred from not being allowed to shave my legs till I was 15!!! :shakehead:
I used to try and sneakily do it but Mum started checking my legs so I couldnt get away with it. I HATED IT!
I got teased so much because I went to an all girls school, teenage girls are the cruelest species and I was the only one out of all my friends who didnt shave. To be fair although were very fair hairs and even now (when I do shave :lol:) I only have to go to just below my knee because there is nothing above that.
I will be letting DD whenever she asks (within reason im thinking 11 or 12) because I refuse to be as mean as my mum!
I really don't think it makes any difference with the leg area as I remember at age 12-13 I was shaved as soon as stubble appeared. I don't shave my legs now, I use a cream which works great. In fact, I wish they had been around when I was starting to shave my legs :)
I know the theory is shaving is supposed to make hair coarser and thicker, I just never let mine get long enough to find out.
ETA: I am not a very hair person, I am fair with red hair. I do remember my GF's who had dark hair never had hair on their legs as they shaved very regularly, almost every few days.
We had the opposite kind of peer pressure. There was a whole gang of us in Grade 10 who had held out on the leg shaving and every time someone buckled and did the shave we would tease them mercilessly. All in good humour of course. I still remember the day I came to school for the first time after shaving and my friend handed me a note with a picture of stubbly legs, and arrow and the word "traitor". LOL
I had to shave every day in summer. In winter we wore long socks so no need.
Underarms= 8 years
Legs=10 years
I was bullied. No regrets, except not soon enough. X
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- On the West Coast beach using DP's iPhone :-)
I shaved in grade 6. Well mum would only let me use hair removal cream. I remember being embarrassed by my hairy legs because I have dark hair and fair skin. My arm hair is very light though, but my legs I had to shave every day (but I hate stubble!)
I now wax my legs, when i can be bothered.:D
My mum told me to shave me legs when I was in year 6. Prior to that I had not really noticed them. I have shaved them since, with the odd wax. I actually had one waxer who did not believe that I mostly shaved them. I am quite hairy, but if I let leave my legs alone for a winter, the hairs have a chance to lose the blunt ends which give the appearance that shaving makes the hair thicker.
I will let the girls shave when it becomes an issue. I am more concerned about DD1's mono brow than her legs. Might look at laser removal for that.
i'm interested in the answers to this one as well. I was about 12, I think.