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Hair removal for girls - what age to start?

48 replies

charmkin · 31/05/2010 10:17

And what method? My dd who is 10 and does a lot of ballet is asking if she can remove the hair on her arms and legs.

The hair is fair but there is a lot of it and it's quite long! Kids in the class have noticed it and commented. I'd let her do it at 11 or 12 I suppose, but is 10 to early?

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charmkin · 31/05/2010 10:17

Sorry, too early?

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TrillianAstra · 31/05/2010 10:23

Somewhere between 8 and 16, depends when she gets hairy and feels uncomfortable about it.

I don't know that anyone removes the hair on their arms though, so not sure what you'd do there.

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deaddei · 31/05/2010 10:23

Tricky one, and this will probably kick off!
DD (13) has just had her legs waxxed as she's gone on a school watersports trip- lots of fair hair on legs. She has been self conscious for a while, and does lots of gym etc, so long legs always on show.
I don't want her to shave, and she is so pleased with the results- didn't even flinch.
10 is young- but then girls mature earlier, and I know I was shaving at 12.
Is she year 5?

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castille · 31/05/2010 10:27

I would say when it is bothering her and she is old enough to do it herself and understand the implications (ie the upkeep)

But removing hair on arms? Is that necessary (unless you mean underarms?

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charmkin · 31/05/2010 13:07

No she actually has really hairy arms!! Fair and long. Unusually so . And if she wasn't dancing so much it may not notice. She's year 5.

I'm thinking veet cream or something. And i don't know anyone who removes arm hair. Worried that if I don't help her then she'll experiment herself...

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 31/05/2010 13:11

I've been known to remove my (long, blond) arm hair

10 doesn't seem to young imo if it's really bothering her - better that than she gets going with a razor when you're not around.

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janeite · 31/05/2010 13:14

I think 10 is far too young. Dd1 is 15 and shaves her legs; dd2 is 13 and doesn't bother. I would steer well away from doing anything with her arms, ever.

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Chandra · 31/05/2010 13:17

If she is uncomfortable with it, let her do it. There's nothing worse to be teased for something that has a solution.

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Chandra · 31/05/2010 13:17

Not the arms though...

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MrsMargate · 31/05/2010 13:21

If it's bothering her, at 10 she's not too young imo.

The most important thing is that she understands why shaving - especailly her arms - is a Bad Idea.

What about silky mits?

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PosyPetrovaPauline · 31/05/2010 13:26

way too early
14/15 if ever

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 31/05/2010 13:31

As someone who shaves/veets her arms - why is it a bad idea?! No side effects, dark stubble here..

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Chandra · 31/05/2010 13:43

Because not everybody is lucky enough not to end with stubs?

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flumperoo · 31/05/2010 13:50

I agree with those who say that if she is really bothered by her body hair, then why not remove it? My daughter had very dark hair on her legs and so she used removal cream or silky mits.

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 31/05/2010 13:52

But some people are - surely not a good enough reason to not allow her to shave/veet. If it becomes a problem, then fair enough, stop, if it's not a problem - then, not a problem.

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MrsMargate · 31/05/2010 15:23

By the time she finds out if it's a problem she will have stubbly arms and then possibly darker thicker hairs on her arms, that's why.

Why start soemthing that MIGHT become a problem when there's an alternative?

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rasputin · 31/05/2010 15:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

muggglewump · 31/05/2010 15:39

What's wrong with removing arm hair?

I do, it's really long and looks awful. I epilate it and over the years the regrowth is much less.

I'd go for waxing or epilating straight off, as it lessens the hair over the years.
My DD is not at all concerned yet, she's 8, but when she is bothered by her hair I'll offer her the use of my epilater (to try, with buying her own if she's happy with it) or waxing.

If she wants to shave, or use a silky mitt or cream then I'll show her, but I do think hair removal from the roots is best and wish I had discovered epilating earlier.

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MrsMargate · 31/05/2010 15:40

rasputin do you shave your legs/underarms etc?

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jellybeans · 31/05/2010 15:42

Many people have hairy arms. I would leave them. I would say secondary age for legs unless you feel last year of primary is OK. My DD is also 10 and asks to shave as she has longish blonde leg hairs but I have said at secondary school age which isn't far away and she seemed happy with. She did try do them herself once though!!

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 31/05/2010 15:52

Nothing wrong with removing arm hair, Muggle! It's a personal choice and certainly doesn't always result in stubble. It depends on their texture - mine are long, thin and blond.

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rasputin · 31/05/2010 15:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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muggglewump · 31/05/2010 15:56

Mine are long, thin, but dark!

They are fine until they get really long, but I find epilating has not only lessened the growth, I can do it before they get too long.
No stubble either.

I agree that stubbly arms wouldn't look great.

No reason why different methods can't be used on different areas either.

My Mum was no good at chatting about this sort of thing, though she was happy to buy whatever I asked for, I'd have welcomed some advice and direction from her.

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Maisiethemorningsidecat · 31/05/2010 16:02

It's honestly not a slightly mad, lifetime commitment! My arm hairs are very fine but quite dark, and grow very long. From time to time I'll remove them with a razor or veet them, if the notion takes me. I agree that different methods can be used on different areas.

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healthymum12 · 31/05/2010 16:05

I remove my arm hair as it is thick and black and look terrible when wearing short or sleeveless tops. I epilate (takes about 10 mins) and only need to do it once every 2 months as the regrowth is finer and it takes that long before its really visible. Removal of leg hair is worse I have to shave every day to keep it at bay or when I can't be bothered wearing long trousers.

I would say if its bothering her remove it with cream or an epilator.

I am expecting my DD to ask about hers soon as her hair is like mine, but her skin is a lot fairer so it show more.

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