Hairy forearms

[Aria2015]

Because of my heritage I have very dark hair and eyes. I also have fairly hairy arms, not as coarse as men's hair but because it's dark it's noticeable. Despite shaving my armpits and waxing my legs, I've always been too scared to do anything with my arms after my mother put me off saying there is nothing worse than brushing up against someone's arms and feeling the bristles! I have bleached the hair before which is semi effective - definitely makes them less noticeable but I get roots essentially as the hair is dark so the effect doesn't last too long.

I'm self conscious of it and if my arm hair isn't bleached I'll often sweat it out in a long sleeve top to avoid revealing them. Anyone in the same boat? If so, what do you do? Have you tried waxing / shaving?

[LBOCS2]

I was having a conversation recently with a group of female friends and one has quite dark hair on her arms and very pale skin. She epilates and says that that's the best solution she has found.

[KikiDeliversCakes]

My teen DD sounds similar (she has dark hair and eyes, fairish pale skin, long fine dark hair on her arms) and she had just recently taken to using an epilator on her forearms. She's pleased with result, she doesn't fancy waxing or shaving though.

[libertydoddle]

I have a lot of fine dark hair on my very pale Irish forearms. For some reason it has never bothered me (i shave legs and underarms). I imagine regrowth on arms could be very uncomfortable (material on long sleeves catching on regrowth) and i think things like ingrown hairs etc could look worse than hairy arms. If you haven't removed it until now i would think carefully about it as once you start you have to keep it up.

If you really want to remove it could you afford laser treatment?

[Aria2015]

Thanks for the replies. I wax / epilate my legs so have used an epilator and think they are really good. I think that would be a preference to shaving for sure.

Libertydoodle, I have those fears about regrowth and ingrown hairs. I have obviously lived with it this long but I think the hot weather this weekend made me realise again how self conscious I am. I wore long tops and felt hot and sweaty just because me arms weren't 'prepared' (bleached) and it just made me feel a bit fed up. I'd love laser treatment but I think that forearms it can be really expensive and it's not something I could afford right now unfortunately.

[littlepooch]

I wax my arms, I've done it for years! I can't stand my hairy arms (fair skinned but very dark hair). I don't find the regrowth to be stubbly or itchy or anything.

[alltouchedout]

Sometimes I shave my forearms. The regrowth is not uncomfortable and the hairs do not 'grow back thicker, darker, coarser' as so many people say.

[highinthesky]

I used to wax very occasionally but the growth is so light now, I might do it once every couple of years. I'd rather have slightly downy arms than ingrowns.

[rightknockered]

I used to remove it in my younger years, but I honestly don't know why. I leave it now, after my arms get a good tan it isn't very noticeable. Lots of women have hairy arms, you're not odd, don't think anyone would notice

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I epilate, it gets thinner and sparser over time, you could bleach too.

[bugglebum]

Epilating is that way to go, I'm a epilate addict

[Chipsahoy]

I use hair removal cream. I dont get stubble regrowth. I have to do it about once a month in spring and summer. I don't bother in autumn and winter.

[ShelaghTurner]

I know this is about female forearms but God I love a man with hairy forearms...

[LBOCS2]

I know someone who loves a woman with hairy forearms. He has a collection of very niche publications

[ShelaghTurner]

😂

[mindmyarse]

I have had my arms waxed for a few years now had very dark hair It is now a very fine growth not really obvious to others but I am always so aware that I have it waxed occasionally now . I had no ingrown hairs as I did on my bikini line which I eventually had to stop having waxed

[Aria2015]

Thanks for the replies! I have epilated and waxed my legs for years. My only concern is that despite lots of people saying that over time the amount of hair regrowth declines, this has not happened to me. My leg hair is still the same despite 15+ years of waxing. I'm pretty sure my arms would be the same. I think I'm scared mainly of how I'll keep on top of the regrowth. I find with my legs that unless you are close up you don't really notice it but arms are a bit more prominent and so will people notice the regrowth? Mind you, maybe I shouldn't worry because people must notice the hairs as they are so is regrowth any worse?

[GuinessPunch]

Ive shaved my arms since earliest teens. They are the only part of my body that get really smooth.

[TimTamTerrier]

It might be worth keeping an eye out for a home laser machine, like the Phillips one. They go on sale every now and then (especially on Amazon) and are very convenient.

[scrivette]

I have hairy arms, I used to bleach them but now can't be bothered, they do get lighter in the summer though.

DH says he doesn't really notice them I do though.

[Clarabell33]

My arm hair isn't as dark as my head hair, but there was a lot of it. I felt properly furry as a self-conscious teenager (long sleeves all summer, the lot) and at 17, decided to Immac it.

Because it was so long/furry, Immac dissolved most of it but also left patchy bits, so I shaved.

I have never looked back.

I did try waxing, but it was not cheap and it didn't reduce the hair the way it can for some people, and I still would have to run the razor over afterwards to get the missed bits.

I shaved weekly at first but then realised the regrowth is fairly fine and blends in ok, so now I do it every 4-12 weeks depending - I don't like to leave it longer than a couple of months but it really doesn't need doing every month as the furriness is gone! I also like being able to do it when the notion takes me, rather than having to make an appt.

[Poirotspen]

I think completely bald forearms look a bit odd. I epilate but (bear with me) thin the hair and leave some- the epilator sort of does this for you if you use it quickly and don't keep going over the are. It leaves a fine trace of hair and looks natural.

I may have over thought this

[Rabbitwoffle]

I have had mine lasered in a proper clinic. Took only two sessions, unlike my 'tache which took loads. There is still some fine downy hair but looks so much nicer. Might have a top up session this year (first in 8 years).

[Aria2015]

Rabbitwoffle - just two sessions for your arms? That's sounds amazing. Is that usual do you know?

[Aria2015]

Thanks for the replies. Shaving sounds tempting when some of you have said that you don't have to do it very often but if I shave my legs they need shaving everyday because they get stubbly so quick surely my arms would be the same?

The waxing I think I would be good but I'd have to pay someone as I think I could wax my left arm ok but would struggle to do my right arm.