Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you shave your armpits?

258 replies

ShavenUnderarmHaven · 08/08/2023 23:37

Have just done mine for the first time since last summer. I don't care what it looks like, but the humidity where I live has been a killer lately and I will try anything if it makes me feel less sweaty/ makes my antiperspirant work more effectively.

I have not shaved regularly for quite a few years now. In my twenties I pretty much always did though.

What's normal for you?

Is there less pressure on women to shave their underarms now compared to 20 years ago?

OP posts:
Precipice · 09/08/2023 00:49

No, never. I trim the hair with scissors once in a while.

chitchatcat · 09/08/2023 00:56

Not that frequently anymore. I'm single at the moment and don't see that changing for some time if ever and it's also winter and I am covered up and don't care as much at the moment. Plus I had laser years ago so there isn't as much nowadays :-)

DramaAlpaca · 09/08/2023 01:02

I epilate every couple of weeks. I've been doing it so long that it doesn't hurt and most of the hair has given up trying to grow back. I can't stand being hairy. And that's just for me, not anyone else.

Darkmodal · 09/08/2023 01:05

Yes. My hair is black and so thick on my legs/armpits and eyebrows. I don't like how I feel when I need a shave, I feel cleaner once I have shaved.

I even shave my fingers, hands, feet and toes!

I also read about shaving your face every now and then so I do it every so often. The fuzz is removes is so satisfying and I look fresher and younger.

XenoBitch · 09/08/2023 01:22

Darkmodal · 09/08/2023 01:05

Yes. My hair is black and so thick on my legs/armpits and eyebrows. I don't like how I feel when I need a shave, I feel cleaner once I have shaved.

I even shave my fingers, hands, feet and toes!

I also read about shaving your face every now and then so I do it every so often. The fuzz is removes is so satisfying and I look fresher and younger.

See, I don't understand the face shaving. Since when was peach fuzz unacceptable?
I saw ads on FB for fuzz razors, and a lot of the comments were women berating others for being "too lazy" to shave hair that was not a problem when I was a teen.

LardoBurrows · 09/08/2023 01:22

I use an epilator on my underarms and as a result now only need to epilate the few fine hairs left, fortnightly. I feel my deodorant does a better job if I am fuzz free.

TheCatterall · 09/08/2023 01:26

Maybe monthly. Or ish. but that’s because I have very sparse body hair. And I’m lazy.

Since menopause I’ve found I’m sweating more and that there is more body odour with it so I’ve been using wild deodorant amongst other similar brands and they feel better without the hair.

I don’t care who does what or how. You all crack on with whatever makes you happy. :)

Darkmodal · 09/08/2023 01:27

@XenoBitch I've no idea if fuzz is unacceptable or not it just makes my skin look fresher and younger! And I find it oddly satisfying. Similar to the satisfaction I get from having waxy ears every now and then!

FeigningConcern · 09/08/2023 01:33

Frequently. I find if I leave it more than a few days it becomes unbearably itchy and keeps me awake. I've sometimes had to get up in the night and shave them over the sink! Better all round if I keep on top of it and it takes a few seconds in the shower. My legs on the other hand......

AntiSocial6DaysAWeek · 09/08/2023 01:41

Normally daily, sometimes every other day. I don't feel very nice if I haven't. No one sees them and maybe it's psychological but it makes me feel uncomfortable if I leave it any longer.

Literally takes me 5 seconds, foam up the shower gel I'm using for my body anyway then a few swipes under each armpit. Haven't had any issues ever with ingrown hairs so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me.

oakleaffy · 09/08/2023 01:47

letsdonextweek · 08/08/2023 23:55

Morning!!* 🤦‍♀️

🤣

RosaCaramella · 09/08/2023 01:48

I shave every few months or when I can be bothered. I don’t really care if anyone sees a bit of regrowth as I go about the supermarket. I’m mid 50s and my hair all over is much sparser than it was 20-30 years ago. When I was younger I’d have been mortified if anyone saw any of my body hair!
If I see it on anyone else now though I just think good on you. Not that it’s any of my business…

Louise303 · 09/08/2023 01:50

I use a Phillips lumea i have not had to shave underarms or legs in years but they work best on dark hair and pale skin.

Octosaurus · 09/08/2023 01:57

When I can be arsed, which is not often

CrazyFrogDingDing · 09/08/2023 01:59

No, I've never removed it, nor any other body hair.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 09/08/2023 02:02

Theimpossiblegirl · 08/08/2023 23:43

A quick once over in my morning shower, legs too, all year round.

Same here. Never shower without running razor around.

I have pale, fine hair so it's 30 seconds a day to stay fresh and smooth.

Fraaahnces · 09/08/2023 02:03

I live in a very hot, humid place. (I describe it as the earth’s armpit, actually.) I can’t shave my pita because I’m blonde and the hair isn’t strong enough to push it’s way out properly and ends up an infected, pimply mess. The only thing I can do is wax them every 2-3 months. Takes about ten minutes and tbh, I’ve been doing that consistently for about three years and my pits are almost bald now. It has also drastically decreased the sweat and I was a stinky, sweaty Betty.

fullbloom87 · 09/08/2023 02:08

@XenoBitch

Peach fuzz?? Mine is black and course on my face and basically everywhere. Greek Italian and middle eastern genes so no such thing as peach fuzz, my grandma used to take a handful of tweezers into every hospital stay and we had an agreement that we'd remove her hair for her if she was incapacitated as the women in our family look like men if we don't remove it 🤣

PuffyShirt · 09/08/2023 02:15

No. Used my Lumea on my armpits and legs years ago.

EmmaEmerald · 09/08/2023 02:21

Bananasplitlady · 09/08/2023 00:12

Daily. My 17yo doesn't remove any body hair at all, which (due to the aforementioned societal expectations) I will confess I found a bit odd initially.

Is it a trend or just her personal preference?

I shave but used to wax so not that much growth now.

JerkintheMerkin · 09/08/2023 02:23

I epilate. Means I only have to do it once a month.

YerAWizardHarry · 09/08/2023 02:23

Probably works out to be once a fortnight maybe? My hair is very sparse and light though- even after 2 weeks you’d have to be up close and at the right angle to actually see hairs

LordSalem · 09/08/2023 02:25

Only if I’m wearing a vest top (in this heat) or something nicer. Don't bother during Winter much.

Cucucucu · 09/08/2023 02:34

Yes , I don’t actually have lots of hair but I shave daily as I hate feeling any stubble . Takes a few sec da while I have a shower

Cucucucu · 09/08/2023 02:35

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 09/08/2023 02:02

Same here. Never shower without running razor around.

I have pale, fine hair so it's 30 seconds a day to stay fresh and smooth.

I do the same