12

thread: At what age did you let DD start shaving her legs?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Perth
    486

    At what age did you let DD start shaving her legs?

    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.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    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.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    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.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Add MummaBee on Facebook

    Feb 2010
    NSW, Australia
    502

    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.

  5. #5

    Nov 2007
    Earth
    4,434

    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?

  6. #6
    Registered User

    May 2008
    Fraser Coast, Qld
    336

    I reckon from 11 as kids can be so cruel about stuff like that.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brisbane, QLD
    5,171

    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.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Melbourne
    4,031

    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.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Perth
    486

    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.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    7,046

    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!

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Add Feijoa Mum on Facebook

    Jul 2008
    Forest Lake - Brisbane
    919

    I am still scarred from not being allowed to shave my legs till I was 15!!!

    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 ) 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!

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Melbourne
    4,031

    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.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    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

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Perth
    486

    I had to shave every day in summer. In winter we wore long socks so no need.

  15. #15
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
    Add Sunny Love on Facebook

    Apr 2009
    In a place where Love is what we breathe!
    1,070

    Underarms= 8 years
    Legs=10 years
    I was bullied. No regrets, except not soon enough. X


    ---
    - On the West Coast beach using DP's iPhone :-)

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    Melbourne
    2,737

    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.

  17. #17
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    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.

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Sep 2009
    743

    i'm interested in the answers to this one as well. I was about 12, I think.

12