When Should Daughter Start Shaving Her Legs?

The exact same thing happened to me at the age of 10. Except I got poison ivy and couldn't rub the creme on my legs b/c they were so hairy! My mom let me shave my legs with an electric razor. Like dad used for his face, so it wouldn't grow back so prickly.. but I ended up shaving that night with a real razor.. I regret it, b/c I've had to keep it up!

My daughter is extremely hairy and asked to shave when she was about 9 or 10. It was so black that the kids were teasing her. The first time I did it for her. The razors now a days are so much better then when we were young. She has cut herself a few times but overall has done pretty good. I think that shaving is a much better alternative than the self esteem problem of other childrens teasing and making fun.

I disagree that once you start you have to keep up with it. I started shaving when I was 12 and stopped when I was 20. But even while I was shaving, in the winters I would usually only shave when I wanted to wear a dress. It's only scratchy for a couple of months after you stop.

My daughter is 6 years old and had the same problem. Kids were teasing her and it made her self-conscious. Although I wouldn't let her shave and I knew from personal experience some creams such as Nair seem to burn, I bought something that helped. At Walgreens (and other dept. stores such as Walmart) there is this product called Smooth Away ($10). It is one of those "As seen on TV" products. It's a rubber mitt with an adhesive pad with "crystals" on it. I thought that it would be sandpaper-ish, but it's not. It's very smooth. I tried it on myself to test it out and it didn't hurt. All you do is rub it around on the legs in a circular motion and it removes the hair. It actually works. I also used it on her arms too. The only con: the pads don't last very long and need to be replaced (the kit comes with a few extra pads and refill packs are available to purchase seperately). I thought that this was a much safer alternative to shaving.

I started shaving in middle school around 10 yrs old. I was getting made fun of by other girls in the gym for having hairy legs, so my sister showed me how to do it.

All little girls are in such a hurry to grow up. If she is self-conscious about the hair and it is bothering her and she has expressed that she wants to shave, you should likely let her. First, explain exactly what she will be doing and that as soon as she starts shaving, that she will have to do it more and more and possibly let her feel your razor stubble so that she understands that it will continue to come back and be coarse. My Mom wouldn't let me shave when I expressed the desire because she thought I was too young. I snuck into my parents bathroom and got my father's disposable razor, shaved with it (without the guidance of an adult), washed it off and put it back in his drawer. If my dad ever knew, he would have been so disgusted, lol! My point is that if she really wants to do it, she will probably find a way. I think you would much rather her do it under your guidance. I was a very well behaved and obedient child, but this was such a big deal to me at the time. You want your little girl to be able to come to you with all of her concerns and to know that you will take her seriously.

She's most likely ready. If she wants to, why make her wait on something so simple. I went behind my moms back at this 10 years old because I was getting teased. I got a nice lecture, but certainly never regretted having smooth legs. Good luck!

I had the same issue when I was your daughter's age. My parents are super conservative and didn't want me shave me legs ever. After awhile, my mom let me use an electric shaver on my legs. This might be the best route to start. The blades are protected so your daughter can't accidently cut herself. It also doesn't shave too close to the skin so if she decides that she doesn't want to shave anymore, there won't be any extra coarse hair that regrows.

I think my mom had a great idea for us (I have 2 sisters also), she made us wait until we were showing signs of hair elsewhere (under arms) before she let us shave our legs. I was in 5th grade so I guess I was about 11 when I started shaving my legs and underarms. This seemed to work out fine for me and my sisters, and I plan to do the same with my 7 year old daughter.

I dont recommend it at 9. There is some cream bleach on the market that can help if she is getting picked on because it is so dark but I dont know about that either it is a chemical. If its not causing to much trouble I would tell her to wait a couple of years. If she does start shaving it will have to be an ongoing thing and the hair will get darker. However if that is what you decide then I would tell her to only do it once every 2 weeks or so the hair will not grow back so fast.
about me: Im a work at home mom of 3 wonderful kids and love it if anyone is interested let me know.

If she is asking for it, I would say to go ahead and teach her the proper way to do it. She may be worried that others will make fun of her. Good luck!

I agree with everyone who said to use Nair or some other brand of depillatory (hair remover). I do not suggest using razors until much older like high school if it is her choice once trying it out. The razors are not safe and they leave those ingrown hairs that look like black spots on the skin. Hope I helped!!!

Now is the time. If you don't want her using a razor try nair..it smells but it won't hurt her it simply wipes off with a wash cloth. Kids are way to cruel these days to let her continue with hairy legs. I actually use sally hansons brand it last way longer...good luck

Its a sign of her growing up. It killed me to know she was growing up so fast. I let her shave for the first time on Mother's Day right before she turned 10. She couldn't believe how smooth her legs were afterwards. She was so happy! It made me happy to see her happy. I looked at it as bonding with my daughter. I showed her with a razor and shaving cream. She's gonna have to learn how to use a razor sooner or later. We also shaved under her arms. I'd say let her and think of it as bonding with your daughter in just one of the steps of her growing up. Kids are growing up faster than we did at that age unfortunately. Good Luck! T.

My oldest daughter is 28 years old and I let her shave just before she turned 10. She was very responsible about keeping it up and surprisingly she really didn't have any problems cutting herself with the razor. I'd let her.

Some coworkers and I had this same discussion just yesterday. I have a 9 year old that will be 10 in November and was given the suggestion of trying Nair instead of shaving at first.

I think 10 is very younger to start to shave ones legs. I hate when kids had to started doing something so young when it will be a burden the rest of they life. I would wait until 14 at less.

If it's making her uncomfortable with her own body, then it's time, regardless of her age.
I wouldn't use a depiliatory cream - the idea of putting something on my skin that is going to make my body hair fall out at the roots gives me the willies - I would teach her to use a razor. Using hand lotion instead of soap will reduce the chances of nicks, and also prevent razor burn, especially in her armpits.

I waited until my daughter said some of her friends at school mentioned the hair at PE. I didn't want her to be made fun of. I think she was 10. Guess it doesn't matter how old she is if the hair is there and she is uncomfortable about it.

Hey Angie, i had to smile at your post...i remember begging my mother to let me shave...now at 50, i wish i had waited a LONG time before i started....I'm sure whatever you and your husband decide will be the best decision for your daughter. Good Luck. R.

My daughter started shaving when she was 8. She had the same problem, and was very self conscious about it. As a child, I also had that problem but my mom forced me to wait until I was 13. The teasing I got for having legs that were hairier than the boys was a big hit to my self esteem, and I never wanted to wear shorts because of it, even in the summer. When my daughter started asking, I taught her how using a good razor and shaving cream, and she's been doing it ever since. She's now almost 13, and has never had any major problems--a few nicks here and there, but nothing that required more than a tiny band-aid. If you think she's mature enough to do it and it's bothering her, I'd say go for it. Also, girls often start puberty several years younger than even my generation (I'm trying to convince myself I'm not old lol) so she may really be ready physically to start shaving. Does she have armpit hair? (That was my mom's rule--when I had armpit hair I could shave my legs. Ugh.) If she does, I definitely would let her start and teach her how to shave her underarms as well.

We just went through something similar with my 10 year old. Posted a few weeks back about it and got alot of good advice. We talked with her about the reponsibility and upkeep required and told her we would consider it. She promised not to do anything on her own. After reading all the posts and talking with the mother of a friend, we decided to try Veet first. I helped her with the spray on kind the first two times and it worked well. It isn't always as close as when I use a razor but is fine for her at this point. We decided that the spray wastes too much so we have changed to gel and she now does on her own 1-2 times per week. She is very happy. She also shaves under her arms because that was necessary. She uses a double blade razor with the comfort strip and Skintimate(sp?)cream and does a great job.

I think it is hard for us as parents to let go of the little girl. It was for me. And had it been all about what someone else did, I would have balked at it. She truly did not feel good about being so hairy. I found out her good friend had been removing her hair since third grade with no issues and that made me feel better about it. She didn't even know her friend was "shaving" so it was not pressure to be like someone else or anything. Also, if she misses a few days, it is not the end of the world. She will come and tell me that she is prickly and will be a bit longer in the bath. lol She even times it herself. It takes the full 6 mins to work for her but it does work with no irritation.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you will make the right one for you and your daughter. Oh...we thought about it for several months before we made our decision. We told dd that she should come to us if she felt she really needed to shave. We did not want her to try on her own which I have heard of kids doing. So, she knew we had her best interest at heart and she waited for our decision.

Iam a mother of 3 too, our oldest didn't start shaving her legs until she was 13. However, our middle child started at 8 because it was noticeable and she said it itched all the time. We use Veet (last for about 9 days )on her, I am afraid to have her use a razor! lol Good luck!

If you let her shave, you may be surprised that she doesn't keep it up very well. My daughter and many of her friends begged to shave their legs. Most started around age 10. It seems they shave every few weeks and often have stubbley legs but apparently it doesn't bother them as much as the long hair did. It certainly isn't a daily obsession with them, but they feel comfortable swimming and wearing shorts.

Let her shave, if she is aware of the hair it is bothering her then it is time. My daughters friend had a lot of arm pit hair and started there in 2nd grade shaving there,and it won't grow back darker or faster. We started with an electric razor so there would be no cuts, it's not as close, but talk with your daughter and see what see wants and your relationship will stay close.
good luck

I think you should definitely let her start shaving, but start her out with a child size electric razor. She will probably be happier with the end result if she doesn't end up cutting herself. And just like everything else, you may just have to remind her to shave her legs once a week or so. At that age, it doesn't really bother them to wait a longer time between shaves - their leg hairs will be softer and less prickly than ours would. Definitely don't start her on a sharp razor :) Good Luck.

LET HER DO IT NOW!!! I had a best friend who was in the same situation--very dark hair on her legs, arms, and armpits. Her parents didn't want to let her start shaving her legs becuase she was too young. It really affected her self esteem. She ended up sneaking out with guys, etc. and was pregnant by 15--the "age" her parents had decided she could shave her legs...Really, in the big picture, what difference does it make? Your daughter is self-conscious about it and needs some support from you with her self-image. Good luck!
C.

Avon makes a shower off hair removal cream. It comes with a sponge with one side to apply the cream and the other side to remove it. Hope this helps!

B.

I had the same problem when i was almost exactly her age. I had dark hair on my legs and it started to bother me right around the 3rd grade. I remember my mom being hesitant to let me shave, but she eventually did and I really enjoyed it. It made me feel more comfortable about wearing shorts and things like that. If this were my daughter, and she disliked the hair on her legs I would offer to help her do Nair/Veet (Sensitive formula, that stuff can be harsh especially the first time you use it) and/or an electric razor. They make inexpensive, flower covered ones that are geared towards young girls. That would give her some independence, but is more safe than shaving. I personally wouldnt give her a razor. Hope that helps!

maybe instead of shaving with a razor you can help her with some sort of hair removal cream. no chance of her cutting herself and the hair removal will last a little longer than shaving. good luck.

From personal experience, I suggest that you let her shave/use hair removal of some kind if that's what she wants. She may not even keep it up, but then it will be her choice and this is one of those times in life that she needs to be able to make decisions about her own body. In the scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal and if having a little control over this small thing in her life helps her to have some self confidence in what is inevitably an extremely difficult time in a young girl's life then go for it.

If you let her use a razor, it's not likely to be that bad of a cut if it does happen, and set some limits such as it stays in your bathroom and she must ask for it if you're that worried. Not giving her a choice will likely be more humiliating and emotionally hurtful than being made fun of in the first instance.