I think you have to let him shave. I agree on the "growing in thicker" being a misconception, and I agree on an electric razor - my son uses one still, and he is 20. I would be very careful about putting chemicals on a child's face. If he is going into early puberty, it could cause even more irritation with all the hormonal changes his skin is going through. Also, it is so close to his mouth, and at 10, he might not be that careful about getting it all off. You could also consider bleaching or waxing, but I would have it done by a professional to ensure that his skin doesn't get irritated. However, this can be uncomfortable for him, especially the waxing. I think you have to face the fact that he is maturing early and you are going to have to deal with all of the aspects of this. I hope someone has had the talk with him about other bodily changes he can expect - pubic hair, underarm hair, personal hygiene, and much more. He's ready. Good luck and try to enjoy the maturation process! It's an adventure!