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Original poster

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:
CorvusPurpureus · 09/08/2023 17:22

During lockdown, my then 15 & 13yo dds had a furious row about this.

Dd1: patriarchal expectations, natural, I like my body fine as it is

Dd2: ugh gross, sweaty, I hate my body hair, I like to feel clean & smooth.

So I bought dd2 a razor & showed her how to use it, bought hair remover cream for her to try, offered her waxing (she bottled out).

These days, I like to keep them on the hop, so currently I have luxuriant hairy armpits, trimmed pubes, but shaven legs (new tattoo).

When either of them asks why, I say because that's how I like my armpits/vulva/legs to look this week. Because they're mine, obviously.

Can't comment on the BO thing. I get sweaty & whiffy about 12 hours after a shower, regardless of whether they're hairy.

JaninaDuszejko · 09/08/2023 17:30

I don't have a lot of body hair anyway and I never shave my oxters, haven't for years. We have the hair there for a reason. I shave my legs about once a month in the summer and never over the colder months.

TrishTrix · 09/08/2023 17:31

Underarms. Yes. Usually twice a week. Deodorant works better. I won't wear sleeveless tops to exercise in if I don't have clean shaven pits.

Legs/ Bikini Line not really fussy about! I style it out when I go swimming.

Knockon · 09/08/2023 17:35

I shave my armpits once every two months? I haven’t shaved my legs since march 2020 and don’t intend to ever again 🙂

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 17:41

For those saying we have our hair there for a reason, are you seriously suggesting that the human body was designed as opposed to evolved? If so there are multiple flaws in the design; a very poor prototype. It’s particularly relevant that nobody criticises a high percentage of men for shaving their faces .

Wherethewildthymeblows · 09/08/2023 17:48

I'm not as hairy as I once was, ie, I've gone from noticeable thick dark hair on my legs to the occasional wispy hair needing removal. My underarms are hairier, but again, not as much as they were. I shave them maybe once every month in the summer, less frequently in winter. Maybe if we had a summer worthy of strappy tops, I would shave them a bit more!

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 09/08/2023 17:52

Differentstarts · 09/08/2023 15:42

I can't believe how many of you don't shave your pits. What if you get hit by a car I'd be mortified

Yes when the paramedics are attending to my injuries it will be a great distraction to worry about armpit hair ?!

enchantedsquirrelwood · 09/08/2023 17:56

I couldn't say if there is more or less pressure these days but I hate hairy armpits and have done since the very first hair appeared under my arms, so I have shaved ever since.

I care less about leg hair but still shave in the summer.

Tartareistasty · 09/08/2023 18:00

I think people missed the joke on the paramedic one. It was always said about nice underwear

Tartareistasty · 09/08/2023 18:02

Re patriarchy.
Shaving legs - because of patriarchy
Not shaving legs - because of patriarchy
😂
Just do what makes you happy!

LakieLady · 09/08/2023 18:03

I got a Lumea a couple of years. No more armpit hair!

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 18:03

@Tartareistasty - Always make sure your bra and knickers match 😀

WhamBamThankU · 09/08/2023 18:06

The trouble is a lot of people who think they don't smell sweaty..... do. Both men and women. I know I smell more when I let mine grow for more than 2/3 days

ScarlettBeauregarde · 09/08/2023 18:09

What razor do you use out of interest?

Bluey124 · 09/08/2023 18:11

More people seem to shave down below then they do their armpits going by this.
I remember a thread months ago where nearly every women said they shaved down below where as on here, a lot of women don't shave their armpits. Just an observation!

Lakeyloo · 09/08/2023 18:13

Always. Not worried so much about bikini line or legs (especially in the winter) but for some reason I don't feel clean with hairy armpits !

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 18:14

@ScarlettBeauregarde - I use the Venus Raspberry. ‘Have done for years.

Changedmynameforthis55 · 09/08/2023 18:14

Yes every day, and if I'm going out in the evening I might do them a second time. I'm very dark haired and a sweater and it makes me feel nice and clean

Tartareistasty · 09/08/2023 18:16

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 18:03

@Tartareistasty - Always make sure your bra and knickers match 😀

Exactly 😂
I once asked what to do on days I don't wear bra.

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 18:18

@Tartareistasty - Leave your knix off as well! Simples! 🥹

Thoughtful2355 · 09/08/2023 18:22

I don't when I can't be bothered and sometimes it gets unruly but I prefer it when I do, much less smelly and much less sweaty also yes deodorant gets on better. Hate the itch when I shave though but oil helps I like using coconut oil on them to reduce the itch

AmazingSnakeHead · 09/08/2023 18:22

Differentstarts · 09/08/2023 15:42

I can't believe how many of you don't shave your pits. What if you get hit by a car I'd be mortified

I mean I think the whole point is that we are NOT mortified, that's why we don't shave. It's a trend now with young people, it's considered cool to not shave.

Aside from that, I really don't get the idea of something being embarrassing when you're dead.

dressedforcomfort · 09/08/2023 18:24

I do purely because I feel a bit grim and stinky if I don't. Legs in the other hand are only done when they are on display. In the winter there's practically thatch down there....

WhateverMate · 09/08/2023 18:31

AmazingSnakeHead · 09/08/2023 18:22

I mean I think the whole point is that we are NOT mortified, that's why we don't shave. It's a trend now with young people, it's considered cool to not shave.

Aside from that, I really don't get the idea of something being embarrassing when you're dead.

Show quote history

It's a trend now with young people, it's considered cool to not shave.

It really really isn't.

I know literally 100s of young people and they all (especially the girls) have shaved armpits and legs.

Most of the boys also shave their chests, just as the majority of footballers do.

StarlightLady · 09/08/2023 18:31

@AmazingSnakeHead - The number of waxing studios about now does not seem to suggest a hairy trend; far from it!