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Original poster

8yo DD wants to remove leg hair :-(

43 replies

FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:13

As in the title.

She does have hairy legs. Apparently her friends have commented. Allowing an 8yo to do anything cosmetic seems so wrong, but it's making her self conscious.
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 23/08/2018 11:17

Let her. I have very dark hair and around that age I got told I had man legs and called a gorilla by kids.

I started shaving my legs at about 9, although I’d probably use a hair removal cream at her age.

LeeRoar · 23/08/2018 11:18

I was ten when my Mum let me use hair removal cream for under arms and legs, with her help of course. If she's becoming self conscious about it then I don't see an issue with helping her feel better by helping her remove it. Obviously it's her choice what she does with her body hair, so if it's bothering her then why not?

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:19

Thanks Blair. Maybe I should then.
Sorry to hear you got teased. Kids can be awful, can't they?

OP posts:

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8 year olds
Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:19

Thanks, Lee.
I suppose there's no need to set specific age limits really.

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 23/08/2018 11:20

Kids can be very cruel about this sort of thing so I would let her. They'll all be removing leg hair in a few years anyway.

SpiritedLondon · 23/08/2018 11:20

Blimey that’s sad. I would hate it if my DD had that issue. It’s a bit of a Hobson’s choice really but I suppose on balance I would let her shave. ( I’m not sure I’d want those chemicals in hair removal creams - they’re pretty strong)

Blondielongie · 23/08/2018 11:22

Agree with pp, please let her. I was that child and my mum didn't let me shave and it was so humiliating.

WishITookLifeSeriously · 23/08/2018 11:22

I had to let my dd at 8 as sh3 was so conscious of it. At first we used cream but it was so messy. She's now 10 and shaves her legs herself.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 23/08/2018 11:23

Kids can be really nasty. My bit of joy is seeing the girls who laughed at me desperately trying to colour in their brows and dye their hair now that bushy brows and brunette is fashionable! Grin

I’m sorry your DD is going through this.

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:23

Thanks Snuggie, Spirited and Blondie.
Looks like a concensus here, then...
Can't quite believe it starts at 8!!

OP posts:
Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:24

Thanks for posting WishI. So perhaps this is not a unique scenario.

OP posts:
Peoplemaynoticeus · 23/08/2018 11:24

I'm having this with my own 8yr old daughter. I was thinking of getting a cheap lady shave

cupcakesandglitter · 23/08/2018 11:24

I was bullied at a young age for my leg hair, and I wasn't allowed to remove it until I was a late teen - really resented my mom for it, and it ruins your confidence. Please let her do it if she feels it's right @FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey x

BlackInk · 23/08/2018 11:25

I would let let too if she's feeling self-conscious about it. But I would also make sure she knows that leg hair is completely normal for girls and women and she shouldn't feel pressured to remove it.

Have you seen the hair removing pads like these?

It's basically a very soft, fine sandpaper. Cheap, quick, easy, safe and mess-free. You could just buy her some and let her use them if and when she wants to|?

cupcakesandglitter · 23/08/2018 11:26

Ooh @BlackInk I've used those a couple of times before!! Just make sure she moisturises after because they can be drying

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 23/08/2018 11:28

I’m curious about those sandpaper things! How well do they work for coarse hair?

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 23/08/2018 11:28

I would say just show her how to do it properly.
eg show her how to use a razor downwards, not upwards, etc.
Because she will just do it herself anyway.

BobblyBits · 23/08/2018 11:28

I was teased for the first time at a similar age we had communal showers at school and I was an early developer. But I never thought to ask to remove it. I think I must have been 11-12. Yes it did make me sad but it’s such a hassle! 8 seems so so young. I’m not sure OP.

EnidButton · 23/08/2018 11:28

Hair removal cream hurts my skin even when used properly. So I wouldn't recommend it for a child. An electric razor might be the safest option.

MollysMummy2010 · 23/08/2018 11:30

I recently got my 8 yo DD a ladyshave as she was so self conscious and didn’t want to wear shorts or skirts. Really not a a problem and she uses it once a week or so.

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:42

Thanks again all for the posts.
I'm super hairy and it's been a massive pain all my adult life, so it's hard to see it starting so young for DD. But I think I'll let her start removing if she wants. A ladyshave sounds sensible Molly. Does it make your DD happy to wear shorts again?

OP posts:
Roseandvioletcreams · 23/08/2018 11:46

So sad.

I'm so lucky in our school, no one mentions anything to do with looks really, no leg hair, etc etc. They all seem blissfully unaware. It's really kept them innocent and they are 10/11.

As pp said she's uncomfortable with it...

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 11:49

Where is your school, Rose?
Is it rural? We're in a very urban catchment. Wonder if there's a difference.

OP posts:
Orchiddingme · 23/08/2018 11:53

I'm so lucky in our school, no one mentions anything to do with looks really, no leg hair, etc etc. They all seem blissfully unaware. It's really kept them innocent and they are 10/11

I actually don't believe that. I don't believe that there aren't children, especially girls who are 10/11 who never worry about being a bit overweight, or haven't been teased about something physical, or aren't wondering about body hair.

I have heard mums say this at exactly this age, and I know their children are conscious of this stuff because my dd has told me they talk about it! And, by secondary it has completely accelerated.

MollysMummy2010 · 23/08/2018 11:54

Fuckmel - yes it has made a huge difference. She does gymnastics and has been at a club most of the summer and is happy to wear a leotard

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