When Do You Begin Shaving?

Hi J. D,

If the teasing from the kids is not bothering her, I probably would not worry about it. But, on the other hand, there are products, such as NAIR and etc. that can be used very carefully and safely, without ever putting a razor to the skin. If you all decide to go with the option of her shaving, that's how you should probably go about it. Don't worry so much, I think all will be fine.

Is she isnt insisting on doing it, then I would wait for a while longer. And if you decide to go ahead I would do it for her the first few times. I know I started shaving when I was 11 for that same reason.
Good Luck!
A. : )

My daughter began at 11. I think if you feel she may get teased, then maybe she start now . . .

There is an alternative to shaving. It is called VEET and you get it at Walmart for about $5 a tube. Make sure to get the sensitive skin formula and to do a test to make sure she does not react to it by placing a small dot in two or three places (ankle, back of knee, inner thigh about an inch above the knee) and wait 3 minutes then wash off. After 24 hours check the spots for rash, redness, tenderness and if there are none, help her use this product. It is similar to Nair and you should only have to do this about once a week or so. I am blonde, green eyed fair skin that could give Casper a run for his money and I use this product weekly. Teach her to use this under your supervision and to go about 1-1 1/2 hand width above the knee to avoid getting it too close to her private areas and then only to remove the product with a shower to avoid this area as well. It can also be used under the arm.

Good luck,
C.

My daughter is age 9 and has the same problem, everybody is making fun or saying ugly things about her legs, so instead of me letting her do it, i did it, we do not do it every day though, her hair was dark on her legs, & she wouldn't even wear shorts to school, now she does, so if i were you, you do it for her! At least for now !
Good luck ~

I begged my Mom at age 10 to let me start shaving my legs because I also was being teased at school. I was so pale and the hair on my legs was very dark that it showed alot sooner then most girls that age. Kids are horrible they find the littlest things to tease about. If the teasing isn't bothering your daughter and she's not asking about shaving her legs then maybe it's ok to wait a while until she asks about it. I started shaving my legs at 10 years old and had no problems and the teasing stopped.

My daughter will be 10 in September. She started using a dipallatory hair remover about 2 months ago, and it's working fine. We did a skin test first, and then left it on for the minimum amount of time on the bottle. She feels so much better about herself that she's wearing shorts again (she wouldn't wear shorts for two years). So far it's working well for us. I think self-esteem is critical at that age, so I'm very glad the product worked without her having to start shaving.

fwiw my sis let her kid start shaving around 10-11 because she also was getting teased. Also fwiw being hispanic is not really the issue-it is how fuzzy you are. My niece is very pale, but very fuzzy (like my whole family, unfortunately).

So, I say just go with what will work. Shaving is not that big a deal in the long run. You have to look at all the issues involved. Are many of her friends shaving? Will she still wear shorts? Is she the smallest kid? Is she a follower or leader? My dd was a tad bit of a follower, so I instilled in her from early on to ignore teasing and do what is right--like waiting to shave and not do it because mary, betty or sue said it was time. For her it was the right thing to do. Now she is her own person and does what is right for her and not what someone tells her she should be doing.

You just have to look at the person she is and what seems right for her.

Good luck,
ts

My mom wouldn't let me start shaving til I was in the 7th grade. I don't know how old I was, but I have blonde hair so it wasn't that noticeable. Since she is a little hairier then other girls her age, then I would start to show her how to do it. She shouldn't be made fun of when she can help it. But if it doesn't bother her then let he decide when she wants to start shaving.

My daughter started shaving around the age. The hair on her legs was dark and very noticable. At first I helped her and now she is a pro at it. She is 13 now and its funny because forever she begged to shave her legs and now like most women she hates it.

S.

Hi J.,

I hear you on all levels. No one wants to take the advice of the step mom! If she says she is not worried about it then don't worry. However, if you and her feel she is being picked on that is a whole different matter. Personally, I beleive that if she is getting picked on and that bothers her, then by all means let her shave. Maybe a product like Nair would be appropriate for her age.

My mom would not let my little sister shave when she was younger like that and my sister got a big complex. She wound up shaving her legs and her thighs then the next thing I new she shaved her arms. Geeze! There is no turning back for her at this point she is completely obsessed! At any rate, I recommend that your daughter realizes all she needs to do is worry about her legs and possible under arms. Let her know that if she starts shaving on her thighs that it will always grow back darker. Possibly explain that the sun will take care of her thigh hairs and to leave them alone!!

Lots of Luck!
CJ

We have a 10 year old and she is fuzzy too. I've been wondering just when to have her start shaving. We have decided the right time will be when it is socially affecting her and/or when she starts going to middle school. She doesnt seem bothered by her fuzziness right now.

What have you decided? Did anyone give you good advice? please share!!