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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:
JulesJules · 09/08/2023 08:40

Mine never grew back after chemo and radiotherapy. My eyelashes grew back but much sparser.

MereDintofPandiculation · 09/08/2023 08:33

Hate the look of the white skin in my armpits so gave up over 50 years ago. Seems to me the pressure to shave is greater than it's ever been, so I just don't show my armpits in public.

megletthesecond · 09/08/2023 08:33

Wax. It's fresher for exercise.
Not a soul ever sees them though, lone parent and self harm scars so I never go sleeveless.

Yellowlegobrick · 09/08/2023 08:31

*how it looks SHAVED is prepubertal i mean

Yellowlegobrick · 09/08/2023 08:31

Im trying to do this less as i have a young daughter and i don't want to influence her thinking she ever has to. I don't love how it looks but then I remind myself that how it looks is prepubertal, and why would i want to look like that & perpetuate the notion that you need to look sexually immature to be attractive?

By the same rationale I'd be unimpressed if DH shaved his chest.

I do notice less odour when not removing the hair.

Lindy2 · 09/08/2023 08:27

Rummykitten · 09/08/2023 00:41

@Lindy2 , that would be a game changer for me! Which one did you use?

I have very noticeable hair (dark hair on very fair skin) so hopefully would be a good candidate for this…!

@Rummykitten I use the Braun one. It's very good.

I wish home laser devices had been available when I was younger. I spent so much time and effort in the past trying to remove dark hair in fair skin.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 09/08/2023 08:27

Yes, everyday. It only takes 30 seconds and I can't stand the feeling of hair under there.

RestingMurderousFace · 09/08/2023 08:26

I only have about 3 blonde hairs so I pluck them, when I remember.

LammasEve · 09/08/2023 08:25

In summer, I shave every couple of weeks, more often if it's hot. From autumn to early summer, I don't shave at all. Good to see I'm not alone.

Maddy70 · 09/08/2023 08:24

I shave mine every day in the shower anti perspirent doesn't work on me unless it's clean shaven

flutterby1 · 09/08/2023 08:17

Not in the winter when I can hide them

Threenow · 09/08/2023 08:16

I shave once a week. but I think the hair growth has almost stopped now. It takes seconds, and I've never found it scratchy or had stubble rash (I use shaving cream).

Smoky1107 · 09/08/2023 08:09

Yes and legs every day. It's a habit I can't remember when it started but I hate the feel of any hair there

dudsville · 09/08/2023 08:07

At my age the growth is less and it's a little more sparse, but like many i stopped shaving regularly with the pandemic. Nowadays i shave once every 6 to 12 weeks probably, less in winter. I'm not anxious about being seen with armpit hair, it's about sweat. If i didn't live in fear of the regrowth I'd do the same with pubic hair, but a few experiments in my youth went badly and put a stop to that!

Anotherchristianmama · 09/08/2023 08:07

dikwad · 09/08/2023 07:59

I shave my legs and armpits everyday and have a full Hollywood wax every time it sprouts back not because of societal pressures but because I want to and think it looks horrendous when I haven't!

You didn't learn to think that in a vacuum though.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 09/08/2023 08:07

Generally sporadically when I feel like it, and always if I'm going to be wearing something sleeveless. I prefer the look of shaved armpits. I'm aware that this is not an personal preference uninfluenced by society's expectations!

Anotherchristianmama · 09/08/2023 08:06

Never shave my legs or under my arms. I have a very hairy face and do shave that, which I will admit is entirely down to social pressure.

Tereseta · 09/08/2023 08:03

Don't shave underarms unless going on holiday

loveandpoprockz · 09/08/2023 08:02

Not this again 🥱

JorisBonson · 09/08/2023 08:00

Every day thanks to PCOS!

dikwad · 09/08/2023 07:59

I shave my legs and armpits everyday and have a full Hollywood wax every time it sprouts back not because of societal pressures but because I want to and think it looks horrendous when I haven't!

Happyhappyeveryday · 09/08/2023 07:56

No. I gave up when it started feeling sore and itchy, then DD told me she thought people with unshaven armpits looked cooler, so I’ve basked in that since! Lol. I hate that society still expects it of women, so I’m rebelling in my 50s - finally.

handlion · 09/08/2023 06:37

Daily, I'm very pale with very dark hair so any fuzz is quickly noticeable! I've got friends who don't shave at all and I'd love to just not bother, but I find hair on my legs or underarms uncomfortable - can't even bear waiting for it to get long enough to wax or epilate. Really want to get a laser hair removal thing, not sure if it'd be worth it though!

DaisyWaldron · 09/08/2023 06:36

I prefer the look of hair on other people, but every time I try to grow mine out I give up after a month or so when I just have a weedy pale sparse growth of hair that is the armpit equivalent of a teenage boy's embarrassing attempt at a beard.

I might make a commitment to go from September to Christmas without shaving and see if I have any luck.

maddiemookins16mum · 09/08/2023 06:31

I never shave my legs or underarms unless they will be on ‘display’, so strappy tops or sleeveless and shorts or short dresses. I live in trousers most of the year. It’s great. However I’m at a wedding this weekend so have purchased a bumper pack of razors as wearing a knee length, sleeveless dress.