DD10-To Shave or not to shave.....that is the question!

[Jenn]

My name is Jennifer and I had dark hair on my legs. My nickname from my sisters was actually "Jennifurrylegs", I kid you not. I was very self concious about it too, so I would say, let her shave. I will be facing this issue myself in a few years because I can already tell my 5 year old daughter inherited the hair from me.

 

[RUDisney]

My Mom gave me a hard time about starting to shave, so at 11, after 2 years of complaining to her about it, I decided to start myself. I had swim class twice a week and I couldn't hide my legs during that class. To this day, my Mom has never discussed leg-shaving with me or any of my sisters.

As for her hair growing in courser, if she's going to shave it off, what difference does it make if it's course or fine?

I know that I felt so much better about myself when I made the decision to go against my Mother's wishes on this issue.

 

[Michelle]

Hmm, guess I'm in the minority here. My DD, 9, also has dark hair on her legs and she won't be shaving until she's at least a 6th grader. But then again, she's not in any hurry to shave.

I personally think 10 is too young to begin shaving but I guess there's no real harm in it either, if she is that upset about it.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Yay, Michelle

I was so excited to see that someone else said no....the only other "no" was mine. Obviously we must be wrong or outdated in our thinking but it was really nice to see I wasn't out there all by myself with the "she's too young" theory.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Add me to the list of those who was teased and ridiculed for hairy legs. I guess you can guess what my vote was.

I just don't see what is so magical about the age of 13? Some girls mature earlier than others and their bodies just refuse to follow these arbitrary age limits that Moms and Dads want to set.

 

[RUDisney]

Sonya, the creams stink. I mean literally... they smell bad and they only work so so.

I'd feel safer shaving with a safety razor. The venus that was mentioned earlier is a good choice, as is the Silk Effects. They have wires that go around the blades to keep them from slipping on your leg. I use silk effects now and only get a knick on my knee or ankle occasionally. I want to try out the venus as a stocking stuffer this year.

Look at it this way... you can put a stiptic pencil in her stocking if you let her start shaving. They come in handy sometimes.

 

[Buckalew]

I vote for the Venus razor. I have never cut myself with that thing. I think it is great and a good razor for young girls. I vote let her shave because it will help her self-esteem. I have an 8yoDD and the subject has never come up & I am sure I'd think twice if it did at 10yo. But I'll remember this thread and my vote today. I don't think it is thinking there is a magical age...I think it is just that they are growing up so fast... JMHO

Good luck. Remember--Venus!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

my 12 year old started using Nair this year and she loves it. my 10 year old hasn't expressed an interest yet, but she's blonde and the hair isn't very noticeable.

has anyone tried the mosturizers that are supposed to soften new hair after shaving?

 

[Serena]

I'd let her shave. If it bothers her, it's time.

I second or third or 12th the Venus shaver, it's great.

 

[helenabear]

I have very dark hair as well and 10 was just about the time I was shaving as well. I think that if it bothers her then it is time. I don't use the Venus because I am too cheap but I do use the disposible versions that cost half as much and I love those so I'd also vote to get her a Venus

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by Sonya Francisco
Regarding the mustache.....I would definitely have that waxed regardless of age...it's on her face after all and very noticeable.

Could you all enlighten me about electric razors? I have tried them several times with no luck at all on my legs.

I can't get dd to wax it. She sees me do it all the time. I am seriously considering getting electroloysis for me. I would like to determine if 11yodd could do it so as to spare her the torture of lifelong waxing and tweezing.
For now I think I will make an appt. with the beauty shop and have them wax her. She will hate me but her mustache is really looking noticable.
I have solved a problem here today!

ELECTRIC RAZORS SUCK!!! I haven't found one that works on my tree trunks (hair), LOL.

 

[piratesmate]

I was going to vote "No" until I read that it really bothered her. While 10 seems young, things are so different for our kids. Heck, I'm old enough that we still played with Barbie's in 6th grade w/o embarassment!

My mother wouldn't let me shave until I was 13 - and yes, I had dark, hairy legs. It bothered me, but back then everyone else was having the same battle with their mother - so no teasing went on.

Mom's reason was that we'd have to "shave the rest of your life - no point in starting already." (BTW - She was wrong, my hair now only grows in patches at the knee & ankle. Hooray!)

Unfortunately, kids always find something to tease about. I'm really big on removing the easy targets for teasing.

I never had much luck with electric razors. I use cheap disposables - but I still cut myself when I open a new one so I tend to use them for months.

Re: the mustache - My good friend, who is a hairdresser, was actually shaving because she not only had the mustache, but also "beard" hairs. She'd gone all other routes first. Last year she underwent a laser treatments that killed the hairs. (Something about the light following the color of the hair to the route.) It was expensive, but it worked really well. I'd definitely consider for my daughter if she were having trouble so young.

 

[Kermit]

For razors, I've had the most luck with the ones that just have disposible blades. The one I'm using now is Noxema. It has 3 blades, like the Venus, but the blades are cheaper. I get razor burn very easily with ones that are totally disposible. I've never used an electric razor that I liked. They don't cut too close, so I have to shave too often.

Don't forget to get her some shaving gel or cream. Soap is fine once you're good at it, but she needs something that will treat her tender skin nicely. She should also put lotion on after she's done shaving. The ones that make hair come in thinner are great. I used the one by Jergens until I got pregnant. (I don't think it would hurt anything, but better safe than sorry.)

 

[cruisnfamily]

Alrighty then, lots of votes for the "venus" shaver. More details please on how it differs from the regular disposable or hand held razors. They all say they are safety razors don't they? I haven't cut myself in years and years and had forgotten about that aspect of the whole thing.

Still haven't made the decision (I want to run it by dad tonight) but it is looking pretty good for a first time shaving this weekend.

Thanks again! And keep it coming.

 

[RUDisney]

Here's the link to the venus website. It lists all the niceties of this razor. http://www.gillettevenus.com/experience/experience.asp

The thing I want out of it is 3 blades. Now, it doesn't look like venus has it, but silk effects has a thin wire that runs perpendicular to the blades to help prevent them from knicking your skin. That's what I think the "safety" feature is supposed to be with silk effects. I just know that when I've taken my DH's Mach 3 to use (different blade from what he uses) in desparation, I have liked the close shave that it gives. I'm guessing the same will be true of venus.

Just a few more weeks for me to wait until Christmas morning for mine.

 

[PhotobearSam]

To save her from years of shaving, you could get her laser hair removal. It's a tad expensive but in the long run could save money and lots of time. Just a thought.

 

[cinlee3]

I'm pretty sure I will be facing this issue in the not to distant future. My DD who is 4 has very dark hair on her legs especially the thighs. She is already asking if "the fur on my legs will keep growing like Daddy's". I think I would probably let her start shaving at 10 or 11 if she is self conscious about it.

I remember my sister dragging me into the bathroom when I was 12 and shaving my legs. My hair was blonde but very long and it embarrrassed her. She also tweezed my eyebrows. Thank goodness for big sisters.

 

[snoopy]

Well, I was 10 or 11 when I started shaving my legs, but my hair was very blonde and not at all coarse. My mother told me I'd be sorry, because once I started I wouldn't be able to stop, that it would grow back thicker. And she was right.

But if my daughter had dark or coarse hair on her legs, I'd let her do it. At that age self esteem is so fragile as it is, may as well make her feel comfortable with herself.

 

[lcmtam86]

My DD turned 11 in March and she told me that no way was she going to put capri's or shorts on, unless there was something we could do with the hair on her legs.
Well I have been thinking about it for over a year as she had asked about the same situation a year before.
So we went to CVS and purchased Sally Hansen's cream hair remover and only applied from the knee down........Satisfied her for this summer and it worked great..only had to apply about every two weeks (better than every 3 or 4 days with a razor).

Anyways, we have to think about how they are really feeling inside and if we can help them by keeping their self esteem and confident about themselves, what is the harm in doing so.

JMHO

 

[zurgswife]

My mother had the same philosophy 30 yrs ago...and it still is something that bothers me today....I had darker hair on my legs and was not allowed to shave or where pantyhose. I always swore that when my daughter asked to shave I'd give here the go ahead. This happened when she was 10. It wasn't a big deal. But because of my upbringing and the humiliation I felt because I had dark hair and wasn't allowed to shave....I made a decision to let her do it when ever....

I vote yes...