When Did Your Girls Start Shaving?

My 11 yr daughter got very self conscious this year. She does not have super hairy but she does have it on her legs that could be noticable. I bought her the Smooth Away kit that you can get at Walgreens. It works great, but does take time. I do not think she is ready to really pay attn when she is shaving to show her how to use a razor. I was honestly skeptical about the product but it did a great job.

As soon as my daughter mentioned it to me, I knew it was time. I did not want her to feel self-conscious and it was no big deal to me.

I think she was in 2nd semester of 4th grade when she started shaving.

Okay, I just did a poll in my house. I have 2 girls 1st grade and 4th and they have 2 friends over right now 3rd grade and 4th. I just asked them if they know any girls in their classes that shave their legs. They said a few. I also asked when they think the right grade is and the answers were all different. They did all say that if they were bothered by it or teased then they would want to start shaving now. "It is just not worth being made fun of." My oldest started wearing deordoant last year and I told her when the time is right that I will buy her an eletric razor. Her father is Italian so she does have dark hair on her legs but so far it is thin and lays flat to the skin. She said she wanted to start shaving at the same age I was. I just told her that I don't remember when that was, just that it felt right to me. I didn't want her to try and start early or later then she was ready just because she was trying to meet some standard that I was not even trying to set. I also asked about the eyebrows and they all said that they would want that fixed first. I would not shape them at this early age but I would seperate them for her. Wal-mart sells pre-cut wax strips for the eyebrows. About $3. I use them on myself and on my husband. I think they are called shape-ups. Hope this helps.

I haven't read the other responses but I was just like your daughter, and my daughter is just like me, HAIRY! Mine is only 4 so I don't have to worry about it for a few years. I remember being made fun of in 4th,5th,and especially 6th grade for my hairy legs. I think if your daughter has come to you concerned and wants to shave that 3rd grade isn't too young. (there were a few girls who I knew that shaved at that age, usually they had older sisters who were already shaving) If she hasn't said anything and you are just thinking about it, wait for her to initiate. I will probably have a time frame of starting middle school to start shaving for my kids, my mom told me I had to wait until I started my period but I complained long and hard and told her mean immature boys were asking me if I was a boy or girl b/c of my legs. I guess that made her feel for me and I got to shave before I started my period. While being made fun of isn't any fun, I love my hairy legs now, I went thru a "hippie" stage in college and didn't shave anywhere and I usually don't shave in the winter.

If she wants to I would let her, if it doesn't really bother her but bothers you then just let it go. Just teach her best way to do it, I'll never forget the lesson I learned on razor burn, it killed.

My mother never helped me with shaving and I started by using hers and my sister's razors. When my mom found out she was mad that I was using hers, but I didn't have a way to buy my own and I was so embarassed because I have such dark hair. So just have a conversation with her about what she wants to do (get rid of it or not) then help her the best logical way.

I am very hairy with dark black hair. I started shaving when I was 10. I had to beg and when my sister finally pointed out to my mom how much hair was sticking out of my knee socks, my mom finally relented. I have to shave daily and use razors for men because the women's razors don't last long or shave as close. Hopefully her hair isn't that course yet. Get her shaving cream, a gentle razor to start.

RE: the Brow. My daughter and I both have thick eyebrows. I ended up going to a Beauty Supply store and bought a professional brow waxing kit. Saves lots of money on Brow waxing. We go about once a year to a professional to get the brows reshaped.

Teasing will begin soon, if it hasn't already happened. Buy her an electric razor, as my mom did when I was a pre-teen, and end the agony! :)

My daughter was the same as yours. I let her shave when it bothered her and other kids noticed. Mine also had the unibrow and hairy line down her back. That never left......poor girl. She also had the mustache added to her misery. So now she gets waxed when ever needed. She is 23. So when it bothers her or others notice. Do it!!!

I started at 11, and that was 50 years ago, so I assume girls are starting younger these days. I say when she wants to, it's time.

Hi Mama-
I am so sorry, because kids can be so cruel and relentless. Your daughter should not feel any shame over her hairy body, but really, it's a strong woman who is not embarassed. I had blonde hair on my legs and thick, but seriously separated eyebrows. God was kind to me in that area. However, many people are much hairier, and I suggest that instead of taking this as a fix to her embarassment, start the whole hygiene thing and self awareness now. Teach her to shave her legs or take her to get a wax. That nads stuff you can do at home really does work-- I think you can find it at walgreens. Her eyebrows- get her to love them thick but shaped. Skinny eyebrows with over plucking may not always grow back...or it's an ugly mess to let it grow back.
As far as deodorant, if a young girls hormones are causing her to need it, I suggest going with an all natural deodorant, aluminim free. It means she will still sweat, but she will not smell. Sweating is good for your body and should not be shunned.
Anyway, take this opportunity for some mother daughter nads bonding time. Show her how to use a white eyeliner pencil to shape her brows prior to pucking and help her with it. Steam her face and then go nuts. Allow her to see that this is not only a hygiene thing, but a pampering thing and she can take pride in herself without going overboard. The natural look is in, but shaved legs and clean brows can encourage her self esteem more in than area.
I hope this helps.
Have fun and good luck with your daughter!
-E. M
P.S. If you are going to use a razor, the schick intuition with soap already on the razor is AMAZING. I will never by shaving cream or soap up in the shower again. =)

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I had a hairy daughter too. She started on her own, without my permission, she snuck my razor in the shower, at 9 or 10 I think. She even shaved her forearms.
.Just make sure your daughter understands that she shouldnt go back over spots already shaved unless she re-soaps. My daughters legs were really dry,(razor burn) and I realized I had never told her this. I didn't even think about it.

I was about 11 or 12. And my mom had me start with an electric shaver so I wouldn't cut myself. (I switched to a hand one at about 14.)

I don't have an answer for this, but so glad you asked it. My daughter is 9 and going in 4th grade. She has quite a bit of hair on her legs too. She wanted to shave in 3rd grade, but I told her she's too young. She's one that wants to be a teenager, have a phone, wear deodorant, and shave. I wasn't sure if it was it was bothering her a lot or she just wanted to be grown up. Now after reading your responses, I might help her start. I was in 6th grade when I started, but I guess I might have been on the older side...

some girls need to do things earlier. I know when I was young I started wearing a bra 3 years befor any of my classmates and deodorant too. if I wasn't so blond I pry would have needed to shave my legs too.

HI B.,

I agree with LeeLee. I allowed my oldest to start wearing foundation earlier than normal because she had a discoloration on her face. I made sure it was a natural foundation but she was so self conscience about it, I didn't want her to deal with, not just the teasing, but the questions. There are too many other things in this world, right now, that are so much more important that shaving, foundation, etc that it's just not a big deal.

An electric razor would probably be best at her age.....

God bless,
M.

Hi B., my daughter is a competative gymnast, a few years ago when she was only nine, I noticed she actually had ARMPIT hair one night at the gym....Had to take care of that RIGHT away! Interestly, she is 13 now and only just got a period a few months ago....so yes, when she was nine we took the trip to CVS, got her some razors, had a few shaving lessons....she has never cut herself and feels SO much better about not being so hairy! Good Luck!

My daughter started when she was around 4th grade I think, I can remember. I told her once she started she'd have to do it all the time, well, she was at her grandma's and started doing it then. I wasn't mad. I'm one of 4 girls, #2 in line, well, my youngest sister started in the 3rd grade because her older sisters were all doing it.
I think as long as you are okay with it and she is, then everything is fine.

My drop dead gorgeous, brilliant sister is also seriously hairy--she was made fun of because of her hairiness--I think she started shaving in about 3rd grade, but without much guidance. I think my mom and I thought that not bringing it up was the best way of handling it (we didn't want to add to her burden so we acted like it wasn't a big deal). But, I regret that now after taking with her about it. I think we both wish we had been more proactive about helping her feel comfortable in her own skin--especially when it's as simple as a razor or some other product--many children aren't that lucky. My sister once plucked her eyebrows the wrong way into short, chubby, little stubbs rather than making them thinner. So ask her where she is self-conscious and then help her fix it--getting your eyebrows waxed is pretty cheap and easy and then you can help her keep them up (I waited till I was like 27 to finally do this and I wish I had done it 15 years earlier!). My sister started bleaching her arm hair after years of shaving them. So just help her get some quality products and try to make it fun (or at least not embarrassing). She may not want to be present when you select products--maybe buy way more than you need, take it home, and return what you don't end up needing. The best part is that my sister and I have very dark eyebrows which we HATED and everyone is always telling my sister (and me occasionally) how beautiful our eyes/eyebrows/eyelashes are. So, as you get older and everyone else's eyebrows get thin or light they become more of an asset :).

If it is bothering her & she is ready, I think you should let her. Either get her a really good razor (I use Venus), or perhaps try Veet so she can't cut herself.

If my daughter had the same problem & was either bothered by it herself, or was getting picked on at school, I would let her start shaving. I don't think shaving is that big of a deal if she is going to be hurt emotionally from not shaving!

I was 12 years old when I started. Also be sure to tell her not to shave any areas that she does not want to have to keep up with. My grandmother told me not to go my whole leg and some days I wish I had done as she said. I would tell her not to shave anything but legs and underarms. I have seen so many girls mess up their eyes. Waxing is best for anything on the face. I wish you all the best,.

I was in 6th grade but I agree with other posters, if it's something that is going to affect her self conscious, then I would let her do it. If you are not comfortable with her actually shaving, what about Nair (or I think Veet is similar?). Also, tell her to only shave up to her knees. Usually knees aren't that hairy and there is no need to shave above her knees (it's not like she's showing off her upper thigh). My mom told me that and I still do not shave my upper thigh and only have light hair there.

My kids are starting this year, they are 11 and 12. But they seem to be a little late as all of their friends already shave. However, three friends of mine let their girls shave in 3rd grade because they were hairy like you describle your daughter as being. If my daughter was hairy like that in 3rd grade I would have allowed her to shave as well. I never saw the big deal in shaving..it's hair removal, not a tattoo right...LOL...if she had a unibrow I'd pluck that as well...

If she is self-concious I say let her shave. If she is ridiculed by her peers it can do irreparable damage. Her healthy self-esteem/self-image is much more important than anyone's opinion of when it is "acceptable". Just get her a Daisy or one with the wires wrapped around the blade to minimize her cutting herself. Have fun with it!

I wasn't hairy and my mother still started shaving my legs for me in 3rd grade! She just couldn't stand to see that hair. You could do that for her if you don't like the idea of her in the shower with a razor. If I had hair like that or a girl with hair like that, I would shave it in a heartbeat! It would be different if it was makeup or high heels, but shaving isn't going to make her grow up too fast.

When the hair bothers her and she is responsbile enough to shave, let her. What difference does it make what anybody else does? There is no moral ground here, if it bothers her and she can, let her.

M. (mother of a hairy girl)

This is a very subjective topic. My family is very fare so we do not have dark thick hair and could get away with not shving until 13 yrs of age or older; however, I know that is not everyone's case. I think that if she has thick dark hair and is being teased then it is time. There is no need to be a target because we want our little girls to be little girls forever, someday their bodies will turn into a womens body with or with out our permission, and there is no Firm age this will happen. but usually 10-14 yrs old.

You've had alot of responses... My suggestion would be (if she WANTS to get rid of the hair) show her how to Nair her legs. A razor for a young girl is a dangerous thing. I remember cutting myself very badly at a friend's house because she had access to razors and we wanted to try it (we were 8 or 9). When my mom finally allowed me to start de-hairing around 11 yrs old I had to use Nair for the first couple of years and an electric razor after that.
I would also tell your daughter that it isn't necessary to shave (or nair) all the way up--- just above the knee is fine for almost any clothing. Otherwise you get thick hair growing higher on your thighs and that requires SOOO much more maintenance. That was one of the best pieces of advice my mother ever gave me!

I was a hairy little girl too - still am :-) My mom got rid of my unibrow via waxing at age 10. I couldn't handle the pain of tweezing at the time. Although, if tweezing is the only option, apply lotion first to soften the hairs or ice the area to numb it a bit. I am sooooooooo super grateful to her for getting rid of the uni-brow before the kids got really mean.
In the legs category, I was in middle school before she let me do that. Putting the razor in the hands of an adolescent isn't the greatest thing :-) Good luck!

Haven't read all the replies, but you could do Neet for hair removal, or use an electric shaver and show her how. Of course, only if SHE is anxious of her appearance. For her eyebrows, she could learn to tweeze without much instruction.

I think around 5th grade, junior high is the norm. Is it bothering her? Is she getting teased? Most kids her age would not even notice whether she has hairy legs or not...If it is an issue for her, than I would say to use a hair removal cream for now and wait on the razor until she is a little older. Either way, I think it should be her choice.

My daughter just turned 10yrs old and will be going into 5th grade this year and I am dreading when I have to have this conversation with her. . My daughter has very dark hairy legs and she hasn't even brought it up to me yet either and I'll wait till she does too. I/m not 100% on when the proper age is but I do feel that 3rd grade is too young still. If your daughter doesn't bring it up, then don't worry about it cause it isn't bothering her.

S.

I think it's a little early to start shaving but it really depends on the situation. I mean, is this something that you're noticing and she's not or is she upset about the hair and you're reacting to her? If she's really bothered by the hair, I don't know that you should stop her from shaving it off. If she's a mature kid and if she's really self-conscious about her legs, I think she's old enough to shave it off. If it's just you noticing it and she isn't even aware, I'd just let her be a kid as long as possible.

But I'd buy her an electric razor and not let her use actual razor razors. Maybe this will help: http://www.epinions.com/Shavers--gender_female

I can relate - my 4yr old is very hairy - legs,brows and upper lip. She has a mix of light and dark hair. I /she does not have any problem with the legs or brow but I am getting comments from family members about her upper lip (grandmother & her dad). I have no plans to wax or tweeze at this age. Everyone else will just have to deal with it. I agree with other posts, when she feels it is an issue, deal with it then. I do not believe 8.5 is too young. Good luck!

If she is concerned about the hair, I don't think 8 is too young. If not, wait until she tells you she wants to shave. I started when I was 12 (I am now 29), but kids do things earlier now. This can be a very sensitive issue for girls, so if she wants to shave, I would let her. If not, don't make her self conscious about it. I would opt for an electric razor, however, so that she won't cut herself.

I started shaving my legs when I was 12. My mom wasn't super happy about it but my friend at the time taught me how. I was getting teased by the boys because I wan't shaving and truthfuly I didn't know I was suppose to. I think that if she really want's to then it's not to big of a deal unless you don't want her to.

I recently let my 12 yr old this past spring. She uses an electric razor and does great with that. I did it for her the first time and started her the second time and she took over like a pro. Now I'm getting make-up questions---YIKES!

Hi im 21 and I was in 4th grade when i started to shave my legs because i had very hairy legs as well but mine was blonde and my older sister was starting to shave her legs and my mom let me go ahead to. But i would probably shave them for her or pay attenchen when she shaves them because i have alot of white scars on my legs now from always cutting my self with the razor on accident. But i would go ahead and let her:)

My hairy-beary 8 and 9 years old just started shaving. They were being teased. I use the shavers with the built in "brick" of shaving cream, it is much harder to cut themselves with. Nair was a bad idea for my girls, their skin is too sensitive. Guidance and supervision!!!

When she is ready to starting haveing boyfriends,

I let my daughter, now 10, tell me when she was ready. She became curious and somewhat self conscious so we got her a rechargeable razor...not even going to risk the real razor for a couple of years. I told her about my experience - I was 10, very hairy, but blonde. My Mom, even to this day shaves once every 7-10 days just to shave not because she really needs it. She really had no idea I needed to shave earlier than I did. When she did allow me, she kindly and gently showed me with one of those 5 blade flip or circle razors. We dulled 3 of them before we made it thru my legs :) My little sis benefited and shaved earlier.

When SHE cares about it.