Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Shaving before swimming

199 replies

Frazzled2207 · 07/06/2021 21:03

Really have not had an exciting time during the pandemic but am going swimming later this week with the smalls for the first time in I can’t remember so careful to shave all appropriate bits as I always used to.

But it made me think- as I find it a sensitive area and quite difficult due to having an awkwardly located cyst - is it ever ok to go swimming and not shave underarms/legs/tops of legs? I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed what other people do which I suppose is a good thing and suggests we can all just do what we like. But until now I guess I thought it was some kind of unwritten rule. Is it?

OP posts:
EversoDelighted · 07/06/2021 21:05

Of course its ok, completely down to personal choice.

Original poster
Frazzled2207 · 07/06/2021 21:07

@EversoDelighted

Of course its ok, completely down to personal choice.
I guess I worded my question a bit weirdly. I think what I meant to ask is. Does anyone else go swimming and NOT do this.
OP posts:
whoopsnomore · 07/06/2021 21:08

Yep, I do, and nobody cares, nobody notices.

BoeJidensLeftShoe · 07/06/2021 21:09

I don't shave. I have very hairy legs and armpits. I have a hairy chocha too but wear shorts so not an issue with swimming.

lljkk · 07/06/2021 21:12

Most people shave under arms, virtually all women but few men shave legs.

SWnewstart · 07/06/2021 21:12

I'd do underarms but not bother about legs. However, do people really shave / hair remove from just the "tops of leg" as you mention? I mean, why the top - do some folk (maybe dark haired) get extra hairy there? I'm curious Smile

Verbena87 · 07/06/2021 21:13

I often swim with hairy pits and legs. I never ever shave my thighs even when doing legs as I’m lazy and don’t think anyone cares.

bumpertobumper · 07/06/2021 21:14

I often go swimming with all the hair, no one notices. If they do then they may think 'shrug', or judge me - I don't care. Well, I sometimes have a twinge of self consciousness but remind myself of the above and it passes. Don't care enough to bother shaving especially.
I occasionally do shave - but it's pretty sporadic.

otterbaby · 07/06/2021 21:14

Literally nobody would notice if you didn't shave 🙂

NannyR · 07/06/2021 21:14

I go swimming without shaving, I don't have a problem with armpit or leg hair and I prefer to wear shorts style swimming costumes.

MistyFrequencies · 07/06/2021 21:16

I don't shave anything. Get a few looks at my hairy armpits. Other than that people don't seem to really notice.

Faranth · 07/06/2021 21:16

I stress about this sort of thing, feel like people will stare at me. I was bullied as a kid as I have pale skin and dark hair, so it was very noticeable on my legs.

I used to swim 2-3 times a week before covid, and was always in pain from shaving my bikini line, it was ridiculous. So I bought a suit with shorts legs!

I noticed a couple of friends who wax rather than shave often have under arm and bikini stubble, I guess because you have to grow the hair to be able to wax it? I've never waxed so had never thought about it, but I guess that's quite usual?

Faranth · 07/06/2021 21:18

And to PP, yes, I have noticeable hair on my thighs, all the way up to my hips.

Viviennemary · 07/06/2021 21:18

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/06/2021 21:18

If my kids ask to go swimming and we can, we go. I wouldnt let my body hair stop me.

However if I have a planned trip, say to a spa with friends or a full day at a waterpark then I shave the night before just as I prefer it if I'm going to be there for the best part of the day.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/06/2021 21:19

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
Hilarious.
BoeJidensLeftShoe · 07/06/2021 21:19

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
Hilarious 🤣
LST · 07/06/2021 21:19

Why would it not be ok? Would you think any less of a man not shaving before swimming?

LST · 07/06/2021 21:20

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
Your views are not acceptable. They're vile.
Undersnatch · 07/06/2021 21:21

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
Not acceptable! Grin I think you must be kidding.
BoeJidensLeftShoe · 07/06/2021 21:23

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
Do you make the men in your life wax or shave their underarms then?
yknaps · 07/06/2021 21:24

I want to take my young children swimming but have similar conundrum as you. Your post has inspired me to do a quick google and, as pp said, you can get 'boyleg' swimming costumes really easily - £13 on sports direct for a plain Slazenger one, which solves part of the problem. My sister wears cropped board shorts to swim in. Tbh I'm pretty sad that I've avoided swimming for such a while for this reason and don't want my daughters to feel the same. Time to do something about it!

motogogo · 07/06/2021 21:24

I swim and haven't waxed since pre covid

Stompythedinosaur · 07/06/2021 21:24

There is nothing wrong with body hair! I seriously doubt anyone in the swimming pool is there to ogle middle aged women like myself anyway. I refuse to be ashamed of how I look, I look like a perfectly ordinary 40 year old woman.

FTEngineerM · 07/06/2021 21:26

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.
You would have spewed at me in the lido on Sunday.. vile hair sloshing about around my head, upper lip, arm pits, legs, toes even muahahaha I don’t have time to shave these days.

Oh and nobody noticed/looked/commented.