Teens shaving their arms?

[grinningghost]

I do. I've been shaving it for about 3 years now, and no, it does NOT grow in darker and thicker. Not at all.

I don't see the problem with it. It's no weirder than shaving legs or armpits. It's hair, you don't like it, you get rid of it.

 

[Tiggeroo]

it's not just girls. Guys shave too. The trend is removing most body hair.

 

[DVCLiz]

I have to admit, the idea that my daughters would want to do this is a little icky - but then maybe the older one already is and I just haven't noticed!!! OP, what's your real objection to this??? It seems to be one of those "pick your battles" kinds of issues. After all, what you're really saying is, "I'll allow you to shave hair from one limb of your body, but not from another." Assuming, of course, that she's started shaving her legs. Put that way, saying no to it would seem unfair from a young teen's point of view. And it's not something permanent like a hair color or a tattoo - it's just body hair that does, as we all know, grow back.

I'd equate this with my younger DD wanting to shave her legs. She was dying to in the 4th grade, so I said sure. She shaved once, then decided the thrill was gone and didn't do it again for a year or so. The hair grew back exactly as it had been. I'm glad I didn't fight that battle, only to find it wasn't worth fighting!!!

That said, you are the mom, so if you just absolutely don't want her to, you get to say no and you don't have to give a reason. But I don't think the "it'll grow back darker, etc." argument is valid. That didn't even work when I was trying to talk MY mom into letting me shave my legs, and that was thirty years ago. Cutting a hair at the skin surface with a razor blade doesn't alter anything at all about the hair - it will grow exactly as it has been programmed to grow - same color, same thickness, same length. It might FEEL coarser because it's shorter, but the hair itself hasn't changed.

Good luck - 13 is a wonderful/maddening age!!!!

 

[pearlieq]

Of all the things you could be worried about your teen doing, this??? It's a harmless cosmetic change.

Just be glad your teenager isn't failing school, pregnant, smoking, drinking, doing drugs, convinced being an exotic dancer is a good career option, or the jerk who makes fun of special ed kids at school.

 

[ladycollector]

No, I don't like the idea. Shaving my legs, waxing my eyebrows, and everything else takes too long as it is. I don't even notice arm hair. On most people you can't even see it! And if you can, honestly, "hookairs"?

Just doesn't sit right with me. Maybe we should all just go get a full body wax.

That would be fun.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Of all the things you could be worried about your teen doing, this??? It's a harmless cosmetic change.

Just be glad your teenager isn't failing school, pregnant, smoking, drinking, doing drugs, convinced being an exotic dancer is a good career option, or the jerk who makes fun of special ed kids at school.

Yes, I choose to be worried about this. My daughter is, ummm, too pretty for her own good already. I don't want her to turn into a shallow little witch who thinks looks are more important than anything else. She's far too concerned with her looks already and I don't want this to be an issue. I realize what I want is not going to change what she wants and thinks but I don't feel the need to reinforce this line of thinking.

And yes, I'm glad that all of the things in your second paragraph have not come to pass and I plan to keep it that way.

"I'll allow you to shave hair from one limb of your body, but not from another."

Good point and one I had trouble defending however I used the "socially acceptable" defense there. In the USA, it is expected that women will shave their legs and underarms, it is not, however, expected that women will shave their arms and I don't feel like dd needs to be on the cutting edge of some new fashion trend. If she still wants to do it when she's 18, she's free to do it at that time.

Yes, I need to pick my battles and this is one I picked.

 

[DVCLiz]

Yes, I choose to be worried about this. My daughter is, ummm, too pretty for her own good already. I don't want her to turn into a shallow little witch who thinks looks are more important than anything else. She's far too concerned with her looks already and I don't want this to be an issue. I realize what I want is not going to change what she wants and thinks but I don't feel the need to reinforce this line of thinking.

Yes, I need to pick my battles and this is one I picked.

Well, if you picked it, then you know what you're in for!!!!

But in all honesty, there are going to be a million other things along the way - it just comes with the territory of being a teenage girl. So far I've been through - shaving the legs, wearing makeup, wearing deodarant, getting heels on shoes, drying hair straight, using a hair straightener, shaving the bikini area, shaving "more" than the bikini area, wearing thongs, wearing no underwear at all, wearing boy underwear, wearing a bra, wearing a Victoria's Secret bra, not wearing a bra at all, etc. etc. etc. I wasn't ready for any of these things, but they came anyway!!!

My policy has always been - if it isn't a permanent change, I'll allow you to try it on for size, so to speak.

I'm honestly not disagreeing with you - just sympathizing because teens can be infuriating!!!! But I have found that it's best to leave a little wiggle room on some of these issues. Sometimes when I took a horrifed stand against something, I changed my mind after a while. After all, it's not MY hair that's itching as it grows back...

 

[aprilgail2]

Sure why not......in fact many guys I know young and into their 30's shave their arm hair and other bodily hair.....I personally hate body hair, on girls and guys..only hair I like is on the top of a persons head..everything else can be gone forever as far as I am concerned!

 

[cruisnfamily]

But in all honesty, there are going to be a million other things along the way - it just comes with the territory of being a teenage girl. So far I've been through - shaving the legs, wearing makeup, wearing deodarant, getting heels on shoes, drying hair straight, using a hair straightener, shaving the bikini area, shaving "more" than the bikini area, wearing thongs, wearing no underwear at all, wearing boy underwear, wearing a bra, wearing a Victoria's Secret bra, not wearing a bra at all, etc. etc. etc. I wasn't ready for any of these things, but they came anyway!!!

You made me laugh! I've been thru all of the above already EXCEPT the ones I've highlighted. I won't be amused if any of these 3 come up . The "not wearing a bra at all" won't come up because dd is so self conscious she even wears one to bed(against my advice I might add).

 

[mommaU4]

I am so glad I'm not a teen anymore if this is what they are doing. I have a hard enough time remembering to shave my legs and armpits, let alone my arms.

 

[DVCLiz]

You made me laugh! I've been thru all of the above already EXCEPT the ones I've highlighted. I won't be amused if any of these 3 come up . The "not wearing a bra at all" won't come up because dd is so self conscious she even wears one to bed(against my advice I might add).

Then you probably won't ever hear YOUR daughter admit that she "went commando" to school. Something about panty lines, I think.

And I have another DD, almost 12, watching and drinking it all in. God knows what she'll come up with!!!!!

 

[georgina]

I don't see the problem with it. It's no weirder than shaving legs or armpits. It's hair, you don't like it, you get rid of it.

I agree. So far this trend has not made it to our area, but why would I tell DD she couldn't shave her arms if she shaves her legs? It's hypocritical.

 

[cruisnfamily]

.... Something about panty lines, I think....

This is how the whole "thongs" conversation got started . Like 12year olds really care about panty lines!

 

[jlaspoq]

Well, I have a 13yo daughter, and I can honestly say this hasn't come up amongst any of our friends or acquaintances.... thank goodness.

 

[Chris2597]

I thought this was just a trend in our area....My dd17 started shaving her arms last year. She didnt ask , but one day I noticed how her arms had no hair and commented...She very matter of factly told me that she shaved.. ..I warned her about it growing back thick and dark, but so far it hasnt....and she has dark hair and eyes (French/Italian/Irish)...She shaves her legs and arms every morning....I think it is silly but all of her friends also do it....I figured it was one of those things to let her decide on....I am sure she will eventually contend that it is much too much work....I just hope it doesnt grow back like a jungle, as she may have gotten herself into perpetual shaving......Life's lessons.....

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Actually,it's been a must do thing for as long as I can remember,esp if you have dark hair or if you were somewhat hirsute.

Me..I never did until one day when I was working and a guy reached over the register to STROKE my arm and tell me how wonderful it was that he finally found a 'natural' woman.

After that, it was HELLO Lady Schick.

TOV

 

[Ziva]

I voted sure, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I guess I side with the younger crowd in this matter, the less hair, the better.


And no, shaving doesn't make the hair grow faster, thicker or darker:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-removal/AN00638

 

[olena]

Oh good grief....

I had no idea I was supposed to be ashamed of my blond arm fuzz.

And panty lines are OK with me. I refuse to wear butt floss.

 

[golfgal]

I guess this is one of those "does it really matter in the grand scheme of things" decisions. What is it hurting if they shave their arms I guess? If that were a popular thing here I am sure my DD would want to do that, but she has a lot of dark hair and it is more noticeable. Not a big deal. She shaves her legs and does a good job with that so I wouldn't say anything if she wanted to shave her arms. Also, shaving does NOT make it grow back any differently. You are genetically programed to have what ever amount of hair and shaving won't change that (chemotherapy might but not shaving).

I shaved my arms as a teen for swimming no one thought twice about that.