Shaving before swimming

[Frazzled2207]

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?

I'm more likely to notice underarm hair; and underarm hair is so quick/easy to shave unlike legs.

I have never shaved above my knees on my legs, I shave my legs maybe once every 2-3 months and armpits 6-8wks ish. I don't touch my bikini line but don't wear a super high legged swimsuit so there's not usually anything on show there anyway.

I don't want to get super super hairy but I think I'd have to not shave for literally a year for that to happen. My armpit hairs get to maybe a cm in that time and you can't see my leg hair from more than a couple of metres away so I doubt anyone takes much notice of it while I'm swimming.

@LizzieMacQueen

I'm more likely to notice underarm hair; and underarm hair is so quick/easy to shave unlike legs.

Is it really? Even when you're waiting on an elbow and shoulder replacement?

The only hair I would feel self conscious about would be bikini line hair poking out.
I don't know if it's ingrained 'pubic hair mustn't be seen' or whether that actually it does look untidy.

It's not an issue because I have a shorts tankini which I love love love.

I shave underarms, lower legs and bikini before swimming. A few days regrowth, I'd still go.

To say that people don't notice others hairiness when swimming is a complete lie! Of course I've noticed bush hanging out the sides of bikini bottoms, thick hairy leg hair and even chest hair on women. If they are comfortable, good for them, but I wouldnt be.

Remember when Julia Roberts had hairy armpits and everyone went wild about it? And poor old Britney shaved her head and no one could talk about anything else? I hope the world has moved on. I understand feeling self conscious but we all need less pressure; taking two small people swimming is hard enough without all this.

@SWnewstart

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

I shave the bottom half of my legs but not usually the top half as there the hair is fair and very fine.

But when I say “very top”
I mean the bits either side of my bikini line. And yes dark and bushy there!

The best thing about hitting middle age is not having to shave one square inch of your body. The one plus side of becoming completely invisible I guess!

(Ps I do usually have a bit of a shave if I know I'm going swimming, but I wouldn't rule out an impromptu beach/pool trip just because I hadn't shaved.)

@yknaps

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!

Ooh I need to google these! It would make it easier definitely. I feel I could maybe get away with some Underam hair and find legs easy to shave but am very self conscious about the very top of my legs/bikini line. I shouldn’t feel self conscious about it really, but I do, and guess others feel the same?!

I swim almost every day and really wouldn’t bother about body hair. What massively bothers me is people who don’t shower before entering the pool (today I was the only one). I think that’s horrible.

The Sports Direct boyleg suits are OK, but don't last long. I've been through loads of them (I do swim a lot though).

Yes, I shave everything top to bottom and would judge you if you didn't especially if it was your pits or bits not envy

I also swim every day and never notice people around me at all. I shave when I remember, but assume people don’t really notice. I also notice people who don’t shower before they go into the water and people who are slow and don’t let me pass

I used to really worry about this, especially my bikini line. But the last few times I've gone (first time in a few years) I just didn't care. I realised that I never noticed anyone else and what they looked like and certainly not once in the water! I don't have a high cut swimming costume. It's so much easier not caring.

I don't frequently shave my underarms either. I'm almost certain no one has ever caught a fleeting glimpse on my.longer stubble/hair and thought it was 'vile'. And if they have, fuck em!

@Elouera

I shave underarms, lower legs and bikini before swimming. A few days regrowth, I'd still go.

To say that people don't notice others hairiness when swimming is a complete lie! Of course I've noticed bush hanging out the sides of bikini bottoms, thick hairy leg hair and even chest hair on women. If they are comfortable, good for them, but I wouldnt be.

Yes just because people don’t SEEM to notice doesn’t mean they don’t. I have always waxed but recently shaved a couple of times . I wonder whether I should give up waxing. It’s so expensive and you need to wait for regrow between waxes. I wouldn’t be seen dead in a swimsuit with body hair but admire those who have more guts than me.

I’m one of those ‘mythical on mumsnet and don’t exist in real life’ women that doesn’t remove any body hair.

I don’t have hair legs (years of skinny jeans wearing I think!) but I’ve got a fair few stragglers round my knicker line and armpit hair. Actually can’t remember the last time I shaved anything, must be 2 years or so.

Frankly I don’t give a fuck.

@Octopuscrazy

Yes, I shave everything top to bottom and would judge you if you didn't especially if it was your pits or bits not envy

What, you’re bald on the head too? How do you find that?

I choose to shave, but I’m oblivious to whether others do.

Swimming leggings and a rash vest. It’s made going for an improptu swim a lot less of a worry!

I don't shave all the time.
I definitely don't shave my bikini line, it gets ingrown too easily and causes all sorts of issues.
It's hair, if it's acceptable on my head it's fine on my legs

@Octopuscrazy

Yes, I shave everything top to bottom and would judge you if you didn't especially if it was your pits or bits not envy

I judge you for being a twat.

Nah, I never shave based on whether I'm going swimming. I prefer swimming costumes with shorts leg anyway, rather than high cut ones

I wouldn’t say hairy legs are noticeable and arm pits are only obvious if you’re lifting your arms up, so I really wouldn’t worry too much.

I find shaving quite uncomfortable for intimate areas.

I prefer hair removal cream.

But agree everything is personal choice so only choose a hair removal technique if you actually want to remove the hair - rather than feel you shoul.

@Viviennemary

Underarm hair is not acceptable. It looks vile.

whaaaaat? My underarms are charming thank you very much, and as nature intended likewise my legs and pubes. OP I don't think I have removed any body hair since I was about 16 many moons ago. I went swimming today and guess what no one freaked out. I have zero interest in other people's body hair preferences and I expect others to have zero interest in mine. Please go swimming with your kids and have fun. Life's too short for this nonsense.