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Original poster

Do you shave your armpits?

258 replies

ShavenUnderarmHaven · 08/08/2023 23:37

Have just done mine for the first time since last summer. I don't care what it looks like, but the humidity where I live has been a killer lately and I will try anything if it makes me feel less sweaty/ makes my antiperspirant work more effectively.

I have not shaved regularly for quite a few years now. In my twenties I pretty much always did though.

What's normal for you?

Is there less pressure on women to shave their underarms now compared to 20 years ago?

OP posts:
enchantedsquirrelwood · 09/08/2023 17:56

I couldn't say if there is more or less pressure these days but I hate hairy armpits and have done since the very first hair appeared under my arms, so I have shaved ever since.

I care less about leg hair but still shave in the summer.

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 09/08/2023 17:52

Differentstarts · 09/08/2023 15:42

I can't believe how many of you don't shave your pits. What if you get hit by a car I'd be mortified

Yes when the paramedics are attending to my injuries it will be a great distraction to worry about armpit hair ?!

Wherethewildthymeblows · 09/08/2023 17:48

I'm not as hairy as I once was, ie, I've gone from noticeable thick dark hair on my legs to the occasional wispy hair needing removal. My underarms are hairier, but again, not as much as they were. I shave them maybe once every month in the summer, less frequently in winter. Maybe if we had a summer worthy of strappy tops, I would shave them a bit more!

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 17:41

For those saying we have our hair there for a reason, are you seriously suggesting that the human body was designed as opposed to evolved? If so there are multiple flaws in the design; a very poor prototype. It’s particularly relevant that nobody criticises a high percentage of men for shaving their faces .

Knockon · 09/08/2023 17:35

I shave my armpits once every two months? I haven’t shaved my legs since march 2020 and don’t intend to ever again 🙂

TrishTrix · 09/08/2023 17:31

Underarms. Yes. Usually twice a week. Deodorant works better. I won't wear sleeveless tops to exercise in if I don't have clean shaven pits.

Legs/ Bikini Line not really fussy about! I style it out when I go swimming.

JaninaDuszejko · 09/08/2023 17:30

I don't have a lot of body hair anyway and I never shave my oxters, haven't for years. We have the hair there for a reason. I shave my legs about once a month in the summer and never over the colder months.

CorvusPurpureus · 09/08/2023 17:22

During lockdown, my then 15 & 13yo dds had a furious row about this.

Dd1: patriarchal expectations, natural, I like my body fine as it is

Dd2: ugh gross, sweaty, I hate my body hair, I like to feel clean & smooth.

So I bought dd2 a razor & showed her how to use it, bought hair remover cream for her to try, offered her waxing (she bottled out).

These days, I like to keep them on the hop, so currently I have luxuriant hairy armpits, trimmed pubes, but shaven legs (new tattoo).

When either of them asks why, I say because that's how I like my armpits/vulva/legs to look this week. Because they're mine, obviously.

Can't comment on the BO thing. I get sweaty & whiffy about 12 hours after a shower, regardless of whether they're hairy.

AmazingSnakeHead · 09/08/2023 17:17

Every few days. I don't shave my legs, though.

JamSandle · 09/08/2023 16:35

purplebluediscorain · 09/08/2023 16:30

Each to their own but I couldn’t physically leave my underarms for months but again each to their own! I do mine once or twice a week. My legs I can leave for a while though

I feel really itchy if I shave too regularly. And no interest in waxing etc.

purplebluediscorain · 09/08/2023 16:30

Each to their own but I couldn’t physically leave my underarms for months but again each to their own! I do mine once or twice a week. My legs I can leave for a while though

Parsleymint · 09/08/2023 16:27

I used to in my 20s. I'm 65 now and haven't shaved for at least 15 years. There isn't any hair there now anyway, perhaps it's one of (many) benefits of menopause.

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 09/08/2023 16:25

Every other day. I don't know any woman who doesn't.

SwirlyShirly · 09/08/2023 16:25

Not as often as I suspect I ought to, but nobody sees it other than me so as long as I'm happy I can't say I'm fussed.

JamSandle · 09/08/2023 16:24

Differentstarts · 09/08/2023 15:42

I can't believe how many of you don't shave your pits. What if you get hit by a car I'd be mortified

If I was hit by a car last thing on my mind would be my armpits.

JamSandle · 09/08/2023 16:23

Not super regularly. Only if I'm going to have armpits on show.

AuntieJune · 09/08/2023 16:22

Nah, hairless bodies are weird - like a room with bare windows

Recycledblonde · 09/08/2023 16:21

I wax now, used to shave. Am definitely smellier when I have hair there, I got much smellier when I started the menopause which was when I started waxing, that's now subsided but I have carried on waxing as I like the feel of it.

EhrlicheFrau · 09/08/2023 16:17

Yes, not to any extreme level but fairly frequently. I swim all year round and it just feels better.

mum1527 · 09/08/2023 16:13

I only usually bother when others might see it e.g. during hot weather

Anotherchristianmama · 09/08/2023 16:10

Differentstarts · 09/08/2023 15:42

I can't believe how many of you don't shave your pits. What if you get hit by a car I'd be mortified

I'm sorry you have been so indoctrinated by the patriarchy.

StillWantingADog · 09/08/2023 15:59

mondaytosunday · 09/08/2023 15:20

Yes. My 18 year old daughter does not.

Good for her!

WanderingWitches · 09/08/2023 15:54

No, I haven't for about 6 years.
I never wear sleeveless tops though and I'm not hugely hairy.

Piglet89 · 09/08/2023 15:52

Sugaring wax (which I make myself). Lasts for AAAGES and regrowth is finer.

DinnaeFashYersel · 09/08/2023 15:51

Sometimes - depends on what I am wearing. Often don't bother.

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