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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:
jumpingeasel · 23/08/2018 11:59

It doesn't damage her to remove it, so what's the harm? If she's feeling self conscious it's better to help her to feel better.

BlackInk · 23/08/2018 12:13

I'm super hairy too with coarse, dark body hair (lucky me).

The sandpaper mitts work great on my legs but they do buff off the top layer of skin (and any tan). Also stings (a lot) if you go swimming in the sea straight after! Leave my legs very smooth but doesn't last long - about the same as shaving.

Cupoteap · 23/08/2018 12:42

I've bought my dd the mitts - she's had them since about 8 and uses them every now and again

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8 year olds
NinetySixer · 23/08/2018 13:00

I was your daughter. My mum didn’t let me as she thought I was too young. I slit my leg open whilst using my dads razor at the age of 8 because I was bullied mercilessly.

Show her how to do it safely - a parents principles will not stop a child getting bullied.

cupcakesandglitter · 23/08/2018 13:09

OP Would you consider wax?

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 23/08/2018 16:13

Thank you all. Seems pretty unanimous.

Cupcakes she wants to use wax (that's what I use - she asked if she can use my wax strips). The fact she knows it's painful and still wants to do it made me realise she was quite serious about it. If she can tolerate it, wax might be best since there's no harsh regrowth?

OP posts:
DemocracyDiesInDarkness · 23/08/2018 16:15

I've been doing my daughters since she turned 7. She was getting teased by 'friends' Angry

I don't mind though, as long as she feels happy about herself I'll help her. We Veet, and she wants to try my Lumea.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 23/08/2018 16:15

If she can tolerate wax, id wax.

badadadada · 23/08/2018 16:38

Super hairy here *waves

I used to steal my older sister's razor from about the age of 6. I had had comments about it but not so much bullying at school...the one that sticks out though is said older sister always being a bitch and making digs despite being 15 yrs older. On one hand I sympathise, but as an adult, 8 does seem so young to be doing it. Hair removal cream seems a bit less harsh?

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/08/2018 17:14

Epilator? I was doing it at 9 or 10 but was hairy before then.

onetimeposter · 23/08/2018 17:17

Would you stop a girl using deoderant or sanitary towels?
As someone whos mum wouldnt let me shave mine-v old fashioned-i dont see why you wouldnt show her how to use a razor/cream.

cupcakesandglitter · 23/08/2018 19:10

@FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey I'd definitely use wax if she's okay with it!! Regrowth wont be bad and it's better to get used to it from a younger age x

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 24/08/2018 08:46

Thanks again, all.
This has been very helpful.

OP posts:
Roseandvioletcreams · 24/08/2018 09:39

Op we are not rural no. Town.

Ummm well orchid it's true! They all seem blissfully unaware. I can't account for every girl in class of 60 but certainly dd friendship group they never mention looks, hairy legs (they all have) hair, nails, spa days... Clothes.... Nothing!!

Dd still doesn't care what she wears.
Don't worry I expect this to change but they all seem v unaware. No nails, nothing, that bow craze passed them all by...

Roseandvioletcreams · 24/08/2018 09:43

Also I host dd friends a lot.

I'm always catching convo.. It's still very much play at animals etc, another one she's mocking up books with.
My dd has never even mentioned for a second any of this stuff. I disliked the inference that I'm blind to my dd and all her friends massive insecurities that must be going on.

Maybe it's just the cohort and the parents we have at the school? Whatever it is I feel extremely lucky and hope next dd has such an easy time too because there is plenty of time for this stuff to kick in.

thaegumathteth · 24/08/2018 09:46

My dd is 7 and has been asking to do this. She’s olive skinned with very dark body hair so it’s quite noticeable. I have never had this issue as I’m just not hairy at all so this thread has been helpful.

motortroll · 24/08/2018 10:00

I think different kids react differently. My 11 yr old has a lot of dark hair. I know they talk about it and I asked her if she was bothered. I talked about how some ladies like to shave/remove hair. She turned her nose up and said she couldn't be bothered. I was really surprised as she's v sensitive about a lot of things!!!

To be fair I cba with shaving most of the time and I have said that to her at other times and she's heard me chatting to friends about being hairy beasts lol

If your daughter is upset give her the options. I personally would also show her pics of celebs with body hair to show that it doesn't really matter. Bit that's just me. I like my girls to know it's a choice not a requirement though I expect they will choose to!!

As an aside my daughter is quite proud she has pubic hair lol

Original poster
FuckMeIsThatEarlGrey · 25/08/2018 08:51

That's great, motor.
thaegumathteth, I guess young kids just sometimes want to do this nowadays, and we have to work out how to help.

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