to show my daughter how to shave her legs

[gordyslovesheep]

genuinely not sure here and open to AIBU wet fish and general 'being put rightness'

DD1 is 11 in Oct and has started being very self conscious about her leg hairs. She is blond but they are blond and quiet dark brown and long

she refuses to wear skirts etc and has asked me to show her how to shave them

So part of me says 'she's asked, it's bothering her, show her' and the other part says SHE'S TEN

I offered to pay for them to be waxed (less chance of severing a vein) but she wants to shave them

I'm going to have to bite the bullet aren't I?

would buy her a decent epilator.

I would rather poke my eyes out than epliate

Have you tried telling her the old wives tale about waxing causing less re growth? Plus easier as they don't miss any bits! Definitely tell her that its not because she is unusually hairy etc, even though she may roll her eyes girls do internalise negative things about themselves, at least I did.

I don't use gel, just shower gel. The dove ones are quite good for shaving with instead of foam, so if you didn't want to buy shaving foam they would do the job well. It would be nice to give her nice products to use while she is just starting.

What does shower gel do then? I just get mine wet and then shave them. I have not told DD about any gel.

I am wondering about this for the future- my DD is extremely hairy, and her hair is darkening- she is likely to be self-conscious of it well before secondary school I would think!

Does it really become thicker if one shaves? Or is that an old wives tale?

no it doesnt become thicker but the blunt edges make it look thicker

My dd uses cream

Are the hairs really visible?

If so I would buy her some wax strips. Shaving is a treadmill which many women wish they had never stepped on to. At least with wax strips she will have to do it less often and not be so enslaved to perpetual grooming.

im not sure what my dds do dd1 bought orginal soap company (or something) shave gel it festered on the shower shelf for months think she used it once putting shower gel on it does soften the skin a little

I showed DD, she wanted to remove the hair.
Great tip, use conditioner instead of soap/shaving foam.

I have fine blonde hairs and I started with an electric razor - no chance at all of cuts and although they don't actually shave very well it's usually good enough for fine, young blonde hairs.

Just get her an electric shaver

Her legs won't be particularly smooth, but they'll be hair free with no cuts.

I taught myself at the age of 10 with my Dad's old fashioned razor (OUCH!)

Because my Mum believed women shouldn't shave their legs, so I couldn't ask her for help.

But every PE day my legs looked like the belonged to Zorba the Greek, and I hated it.

thanks for all the tips - I shall discuss options with her tomorrow

Don't people user a shaver anymore??

Just show her..

I lived with my grandmother who to be honest could not shave herself properly anyway..

I grabbed a razor age 11 and I took everything off and I mean arm pits/legs/arms/vagina ok I did an ok ish job but I think it would of been nice to be shown this is how you shave your legs properly and the best way to prevent cuts... Even now as an adult I have a massive issue with body hair that I cannot get past I think because it was never talked about... I can go two days max without shaving my legs and heaven forbid if I go and holiday and unpack and find my razor missing I'm straight to the shops...

I wish I had the balls to wax but honestly I'm
Scared off that, we had so few talks in my house the first time I used a tampton I had to ask my sister in law (younger than me) how to do it sooo cringe worthy

I did mine aged 11 with a bic orange and imperial leather soap!!! I use shaving gel as it helps the razor glide. I have sensitive skin bumpy in places (scalded on legs as a child) and the gel helps minimise any rash/soreness. Do help her, maybe to do it once a week?

My lady shave is useless, takes forever.

Nice cheap orange Bic and a can of men's sensitive shaving gel (strongly scented ones sting if you get them in certain places). Men's is way cheaper than women's. (Any old soap will do, but gel is easiest to get in a nice even coat). I'm very short sighted so I need to keep track of where I've shaved.

DD1, sometimes buys expensive veet foam and 3 bladed green Bic ladies razors (I pinched one, very nice, but I'm too mean).

As far as I know DD1 has always managed not to cut herself. I used to nick my ankles, but now I can't see that far and feel is actually better.

because she is fair haired it wont need doing every other day dark hair needs doing all the bloody time

I am dark MrsJay it's a nightmare - my legs are like Homer Simpsons face - shave ...10 seconds later - stubble!

Ladyshaves don't take longer than about 5 mins per leg

At this young age I think it's ideal

Still ideal for me at 50

Please she her- I remember asking my mum to shave my legs- sage refused. It's stayed with me and really scarred mr. Although I have to say I am with you on the waxing- much better than shaving IMO.

Me* too much wine!!

It's ok diddl, I'm not allowed to play with sharp objects either! [wink

Please, please convince her to wax. Don't do it at home, take her to a salon. The fine ends to the hairs she has now will be a lot less painful to the stubble ends she will have after shaving. I have waxed since I was 16, (so over 20 years) can go around 8-10 weeks in the summer and not need doing again. In the winter, my hairs are so fine and almost non existent that I could get away with not bothering till shorts and skirt weather again!!

A salon will get all the hairs out, strips are ok if the hair isnt too fine, your dd's will be. My girls will not shave their legs if I can help it. I also agree, no epilator, wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy!!