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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to resent that I have become unable to stand my own hairy legs any longer?

26 replies

hereidrawtheline · 26/09/2009 00:10

think that was an incoherent sentence will try again with added waffling...

I have for a long time viewed shaving as something for skirts and special sexy nights. Ages ago I started a new make me gorgeous and feel good campaign (working brilliantly btw if you dont count health and remember beauty truly is only skin deep) as I've lost weight and generally make more of an effort with clothes, grooming etc.

So anyway I was shaving a lot and exfoliating (sp??) etc and the last couple of days my legs got stubbly and it has been really driving me mad and actually irritating my skin and I couldnt wait to shave tonight which I am amazed and sort of resentful over. Last winter I might have only shaved twice! Looks like I'm in it for the long haul...

OP posts:
mamas12 · 26/09/2009 00:16

Get 'em waxed every month, it's loads better coz there's no stubble!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 26/09/2009 00:22

Buy an epilator - quick buzz over the legs twice a week and you are done.

ohnelly · 26/09/2009 18:52

I shaved my leg today as the other is in plaster. Imagine what thats going to look like when it comes out? maybe I should put a pic up

OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper · 26/09/2009 19:03

Is that what you do with an epilator then?

I've always left mine until I absolutely can't get away with them any longer, then spend an excruciating half hour cursing the thing.

Maybe I'll try the twice a week method - could start wearing skirts again.

Mousey84 · 26/09/2009 19:10

Its expemsive, but i recommend the boots smooth skin ipl system. They put it on offer for £250 quite often. If you use any boots advantage points plus cashback card of some sort, plus a cashback website, you could cut the cost further. If you think about how much you spend on salon waxing/razors then if the system works for you, you will save money in long run.

Ive now done 8 treatments on bottom half of legs. I used to be able to feel stubble literally within 4 hours of shaving. This week it took 4 days to see/feel any stubble, and although its v patchy - no hair on about 50% of my leg. What there is is not very dark at all.

deaddei · 26/09/2009 19:35

Ohnelly- that's so funny.
I am dark and used to wax but can't stand the regrowth wait, as I swim 3 times a week (get me!) .
Never used epilator- have VERY high pain threshold- so you recommend it mousey?

bibbitybobbityhat · 26/09/2009 19:44

Epilator much better than waxing because it gets much shorter hairs.

When you've been doing it 20 years like me you'll no longer feel the pain .

I have no stubble, no red dots, no waxing costs, no appointments to make. And most of my leg area is now smooth as a baby's bum. Maintenance is down to 5 mins a week.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 26/09/2009 21:24

Ourlady it hurts so much more if you leave them! Try the twice a week

BitOfFun · 26/09/2009 21:27

I tried an epilator ONCE for about half a second. Even the noise of it terrified me. I am resigned to shaving every day but I hate it. I think I am actually a gorilla.

Hassled · 26/09/2009 21:29

But more importantly, how was Thomas? Did it go well?

Mousey84 · 26/09/2009 21:33

deaddei - unfortunately, skin tone will determine if you can use it. It cant be used on dark skins due to the way it works (absorption of light).

However, I just went to get you a link and see that it can now be used on the face (cant with mine)

Look here and scroll down to bottom - theres a leaflet you can download that tells you all about it.

Montifer · 26/09/2009 21:33

I love my epilator.

After years of waxing and then waiting 4-5 weeks until they were long enough to wax again, now I 'mow' once or twice a week.

Added bonus of no ingrown hairs which I used to get a lot of with waxing.

I don't find it painful at all although it's a bit more stingy if the hairs are long, but once weekly mowing means they don't get the chance to grow long.

Montifer · 26/09/2009 21:35

.....although I should add that, IME, epilating the underarm is fucking agony, ditto bikini line

Original poster
hereidrawtheline · 26/09/2009 22:40

I'm really afraid of epilators! but tempted in a masochistic kind of way that sounds like a nice replacement for all the drugs of my youth...

Hassled I posted about Thomas

OP posts:
bruffin · 26/09/2009 22:47

I always take a couple of painkillers about 15 minutes before epilating.

Wonderstuff · 26/09/2009 22:47

I recommend an epilator. I was terrified, but is much easier if you get waxed first, then use epilator little and often.

MarquesDeLeon · 26/09/2009 22:53

Agree with the wax first and then epilate once a week - armpits, bikini line etc - no big deal - have ordered boots ipl thingy as it is offering 50 quid off at the moment. The reviews are pretty impressive.

BitOfFun · 26/09/2009 23:26

I think you can only get along with an epilator if your hair is normal/fine. Mine is rather coarse and determined to stay put- it's bloody agony pulling it out!

MarquesDeLeon · 26/09/2009 23:37

BoF I sound similar to you - it's a question of perseverence i'm afraid. It does get easier with an epilator but you do need to grit the teeth for a few weeks before you become immune to the agony discomfort.

BitOfFun · 26/09/2009 23:42

Well, I guess it's the pay-off for having a veritable mane of head hair

Wonderstuff · 26/09/2009 23:44

I have lots of very coarse hair BOF (except on my head ironically)
I initially didn't get on with epilator, but waxing first is the key i think.

BitOfFun · 26/09/2009 23:46

I think I've still got a pic of my hair on my profile- there is a lot of it! I will try the waxing tip when feeling brave though, that might be the way to go, thanks.

deaddei · 27/09/2009 07:07

I meant dark hair not skin tone- and I Oonly want it for legs.
I will give it a try!

Montifer · 27/09/2009 10:04

Hereidraw - I don't know the details of your youth but I think the epilator might be a bit of a disappointment- it's good, but not that good

Definitely recommended for hair removal though

pooter · 27/09/2009 10:19

I got so fed up of my hairy legs (v dark and course next to practically translucent skin) that i got DH to agree to me having laser treatment for my birthday - ridiculously expensive but i was desperate (and usually spend nothing at all on myself - even use DSs cream for his dry skin as a moisturiser).

I went for a test patch, it did hurt a bit more than the 'pinging of an elastic band' that i was promised, and the smell of singed hair filled the air, but......it worked!!!

Unfortunately - or fortunately - not sure yet i discovered i was pregnant and they wont treat a pregnant woman, so i am now left with a lovely bald rectangle of 10cm by 6cm on my right leg, surrounded by hair. It looks ridiculous! Very effective though - i only had one treatment, and i would say that my rectangle only has 10% regrowth. Roll on Feb when i can get the rest done!

In the meantime i will be mostly wearing leggings.

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