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Original poster

Not knowing shaving arms is a thing?

166 replies

HarrysOwl · 03/04/2019 19:13

DH asked me do you shave your arms?

I said no, I don't shave my arms. I looked at him with my whaaa look, he then explained he'd just seen a TV advert (women's razor, she was doing her arms) and wondered how many women feel they have to shave all their limbs.

So I'm thinking if it's on a TV advert, this is a totally usual thing and I'm naive to not know?

can't ask my friends they'd think I was weird

OP posts:
Megan2018 · 04/04/2019 10:11

Quite a lot of the Asian students where I work shave their arms, and some of the staff ( I work in Leicester so big Asian demographic). I wonder if it is a cultural norm?

I was in the lift the other day and there were some students talking about waxing arms funnily enough - and I sat next to someone in a meeting who had visibly stubbly arms which I couldn't help but notice.

The only person I know personally that does it regularly has severe PCOS and also has to shave their neck/chin. But her hair growth is very significant and noticeable.

I think I remember doing it when I was young as I was very fair but with dark body hair. But not something that bothers me now.

CandyCreeper · 04/04/2019 10:31

I do it in the summer when I know they will be out otherwise I dont bother. Funnily enough my ex asked me I DIDNT shave them!

lhw92 · 04/04/2019 10:48

I’m jealous of the people who have never realised some of us have to do it - you’re so lucky to have fine hair!!

I have severe hirsutism so my arms and legs are hairier than some men.

Also I have hair on my back, shoulders, neck, chin, cheeks, forehead, stomach, chest, toes, knuckles, hands, etc

So much time/money/effort is spent removing the excess hair

I know excess body hair is unattractive, and I would never expect anyone to change their views on that however I soooo wish people could at least stop thinking it’s unhygienic. Also, wish I could leave the house without strangers laughing/making comments on the odd day I didn’t get round to removing all the hair

RomanticFatigue · 04/04/2019 10:50

This is the same advert that has the narrative along the lines of being who you are and not conforming. While shaving arms ffs.

Cornettoninja · 04/04/2019 11:12

@ihw92 Flowers it’s really hard isn’t it?

Thinking on this thread though I don’t think it’s just women who suffer from societies judgement when it comes to body hair (although it is predominantly). I’ve seen/heard men slated for hairy chests/backs. Culturally I think it goes back pretty far, even the Egyptians had hair removal methods.

user1480880826 · 04/04/2019 11:18

The things women are expected to do are insane. When are these female beauty standards ever going to end?

bigKiteFlying · 04/04/2019 11:26

In early 20 I had a summer job most of the other students were British Asian students and they all did - as I had very pale skin and very dark hair they were giving me unasked for advice about bleaching arm hair and de-hairing.

I do legs and under arms - experiment when much younger with nether regions and found neither I nor now DH liked it - so I've very old fashioned there.

RosaWaiting · 04/04/2019 11:27

"The things women are expected to do are insane. When are these female beauty standards ever going to end?"

they're not, they're just going to get worse.

I'm going to add "stop shaving arms" to my list of things to consider. I've just realised I've been doing it for 30 years!! Shave, wax, epilate etc.

I haven't seen the ad, I presume it's annoying as the usual razor ads are.

TheGirlWithAllTheFeathers · 04/04/2019 11:30

No, I don't. I feel sad that women feel obliged to.

youmeandconchitawurst · 04/04/2019 13:38

thecatsthecats

"But to me, it's nothing to do with pressure or hygiene"

That's nice for you. As I said, if you want to, all power to your elbow.

I don't want to but I have to, to be able to conform to a stadard I think is bollox but I can't afford to fight against.

I'm not saying you shouldn't want to remove your body hair, I'm saying I shouldn't feel I have to.

I'm not quite sure where the parallel with shower gel fits in - it seems a bit of a false equivalence to me.

PeachesandPie · 04/04/2019 13:45

I have dark hair and pcos so extremely hairy, a week of leg hair growth and it's longer than DHs! I shaved my arms as a teen after being bullied for being hairy and the hair just grew back thicker. I haven't done them since I was about 14, but do shave my fingers and hands as that's far to monkey like to leave! I also have very hairy thighs, always amazed by women who just shave below the knee!

Halloumimuffin · 04/04/2019 13:55

For those who do it (i'm intrigued - have surprisingly hairy arms for a fine and fair haired person) does it not get stubbly and itchy?

SongforSal · 04/04/2019 17:08

Halloumimuffin No. Not stubbly nor itchy. I have shaved mine for so long, that I do tend to notice hairy arms on other women, especially in the summer at work. Each to their own.

I have never felt obliged to, nor confirmed to social pressures. It is my choice and my body. I just like my arms smooth. Oddly not to fussed about my legs, but then I rarely get them out :)

sandi2019 · 04/04/2019 17:19

Halloumi....not itchy......but a sort of soft stubble when they grow back.....x

sewingismyhobby · 04/04/2019 18:07

I rarely shave my pits and definitely don't shave anything else. If anyone commented on why not, I'd probably just laugh at them for being so vain.

BloodyDisgrace · 04/04/2019 18:17

Only heard of it re: some ethnic groups who have great healthy shiny strong hair, everywhere. But not white people doing it.

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