Hairy legs

[Bedbouncer]

I currently have very hairy legs because I hope to be having knee replacement surgery imminently, and it is recommended not to shave beforehand, to avoid possible nicks that could get infected. It has made me wonder why hairy legs are perfectly acceptable for men, but not for women. I don't mind them, but think I would be uncomfortable in a skirt in the summer. It's just not socially acceptable for women to have hairy legs is it? Even in 2024!

As usual a lot of it is has to do with making money out of us.

Companies want to sell razors, creams and shaving devices to women so advertising and the media pushes a hairless ideal. And of course porn started the craze about shaving pubes...

Women are brainwashed to think that they somehow are dirty or undesirable if they don't spend fortune on doing things to their body and face.

I saw a video by a young performance artist over the weekend that involved some nudity in a big gallery and it was interesting to see that she had chosen to keep hairs on her pits and her pubic hair. I remember thinking 'good for you girl' and that she actually looked brilliant and made me question my own actions when it comes to shaving.

It did make me think about all the nonsense that we are sold about how every inch of our body has to be groomed.

PCOS I was like a gorilla pre menopause from navel to ankle, thick black curly to my knees so I shaved. Now only knees to ankles. I shave in the summer only.

I really wish I didn’t care about it. I have 2 teen DDs and I was shocked and saddened when I realised they’ve both been shaving their arms! I have pale skin and dark hair, and I’ve always shaved my legs but my arms just don’t bother me. However I feel I’ve not really got a leg to stand on (insert joke here) lecturing them about their arms when I shave my legs every day.

I shave my legs twice per year: once at the beginning of summer, then in the middle of summer to top it up. Armpits more frequently to stay fresher. If anyone notices any hairiness on me I don't care. I'm an adult, it's normal.

I disagree with the poster above saying men expect it: I think most men don't care too much about body hair as long as they're getting a bit of action!

I had a knee replacement last May and a few days beforehand I had my legs waxed and a luxury pedicure ( no polish) as it made me feel better about looking at my legs for weeks as I healed.
I only bother shaving mine in the summer but it's for me and not anyone else. I couldn't give a monkeys about what people think about me shaving my legs. Heavens I have a 10" scar down my leg from my knee replacement that's far more likely to draw a look than my hairy legs.
Consider having them waxed if it keeps you happy. I also recommend the pedicure without polish as bending your leg long enough to cut your own toenails? Yeah not happening for a good while

I shave in summer because I prefer it (though part of this is being aware that shaved female legs is the western standard and being conscious of them, which is weird as I never shave my armpits and don’t hide it or feel consciously “hairy”), but I like a warm Mr Tumnus leg blanket in winter.

Yesterday was my turn to get up with the kids and, despite a world of toys to choose from, their preferred activity was to roll up my pyjamas and stroke my hairy legs back and forth like a cat.

Women have been removing hair for thousands of years, see the Greek and Egyptians for example

I dont know where the idea first came from, why?

But like others, it is a full time job to manage the hair on my face, bright blond hairs that appear from no where that I cant see but I can feel, cant get hold of them, wont come out. Sudden big black hairs, try to pluck them and it only snaps off leaving stubble

Then I just have to resort to the razor. Unbelievable.

I darent sit with the sun on my face with someone looking at me. Shade all the way

😁

I absolutely do it for me. Under arms are done weekly as I don't like using a roll on deodorant with hairy pits. Legs less often, probably fortnightly, as its nicer when using nice after shower products. I wear jeans and never show under arms, so its never about looks.

Women have been removing hair for thousands of years, see the Greek and Egyptians for example

I don't think we can really see a long link between ancient Greeks and ancient Egyptians down to us. Ancient Egyptians also shaved their heads , which somehow hasn't found it's equivalent place in today's Western societies. I doubt all that many women were removing them in the long centuries where women wore layers of long dresses. .

Yeah but if you stop shaving for long enough it stops being itchy.

People say it’s nothing to do with societal expectations but I bet they wouldn’t shave they were stuck on their own on a desert island (with a razor). And obviously men don’t bother so it can’t be that bad.

Each to their own of course.

I shave mine as once they get to a certain length they start to irritate me and I don't like the feel of the hair on my legs

I go through phases with shaving - though I admit if I'm going to the beach or have my legs out in a dress at an occasion like a wedding I still shave.

You'll be happy to know that a lot (at least half) of the younger women (under 30) that I manage at work have proudly given up on shaving altogether!

I'm quite fair and not particularly hairy but I do shave my legs in the summer months as the I find the breeze tickly.

I shave mine because I think my legs look ugly with dark brown hairs!

I think the tides-a-turnin' teen DD and friends are all happy to stay natural and she thinks the fact I shave mine regularly is weird.