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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

10 year old and leg hair

117 replies

Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 09:43

My DD is 10, soon to be 11, so going into high school in September.
Last summer she got really upset about the hairs on her legs, she is very hairy, although they aren't really dark.
I wondered if everyone else has come across this and what you have done?
I don't really want to start shaving it, I just think once you start that's it, no going back, always prickly/dark hairs.
I've bought the Philips lumea, but now I'm not sure if she is a contender for this with her leg hairs being lightish.
Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 11:07

I'll get the online chat up again and post their answer!

OP posts:
ScarfLadysBag · 16/04/2020 11:08

Do they still do silky mitts?! Me and my friends were obsessed with those as early teens!

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 11:23

Thanks for your positive answers, to say that I only wanted some advice on how to make my daughter feel more confident, she doesn't want to shave, it scares her, she suffers with anxiety, some of you have reduced me to tears with your answers, basically calling me a liar, why would I intent or think about using something on my child that hasn't been deemed safe.
I have requested for this thread to be removed. As if life isn't tough enough at the moment, I have been made to feel like a shite mother on here!
For all the none lumea answers, I'll look into and discuss with my DD today and see where we go from here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 11:24

Firsttimemum79 that sounds good, I wonder if it's still available, also the silky mitts too. Thanks 😊

OP posts:
StampMc · 16/04/2020 11:31

Best thing you can do is show her how to wet shave. It’s the most effective, cheapest and most sustainable method of hair removal and very easy to learn. I can remember being terrified when I first tried because on the face of it, it sounds dangerous but kids are scared of lots of stuff that isn’t a big deal. We, as parents, get them through it.

CorianderLord · 16/04/2020 11:32

I actually find waxing isn't very painful and is fast and effective. Depends on how sensitive she is though

RedskyAtnight · 16/04/2020 11:33

I think it's a real shame that a 9 year old would be getting upset about hair on her legs.

Why not encourage her to embrace her body as it is (particularly at the moment when no one can see her legs anyway)?

CorianderLord · 16/04/2020 11:34

Gosh if you've been reduced to tears by the comments on this thread you need to build some resilience. These people don't matter, they're just anonymous people online who don't know you

dementedpixie · 16/04/2020 11:35

She's 10, nearly 11, not 9

CtrlU · 16/04/2020 11:38

When my daughter starts to ‘sprout’ - I intend to get her into waxing. Also laser hair removal if she needs it ( I come from a family of excessively hairy women so we grow beards and moustaches and everything Grin). I’m come from an aesthetic / beauty background though so it’s not a big thing for me...

OhLook · 16/04/2020 11:38

I'd have taught her how to shave straight away as soon as she asked. I would let my 8 year old do it now if she asked.

AmberBird · 16/04/2020 11:43

Please let her shave her legs and arm pit hair if she wants too. I have very dark hair and was teased mercilessly at school. If she then naturally wants to try other products then let her experiment too. But the razor will give her results quickly and within her control. Good luck!

Whatnametomorrow10 · 16/04/2020 11:45

I used hair removal cream for my daughter at that age. I didn’t let her shave until she was a little older. She is now 16 and she has asked me to tackle the arm hair. She is very fair skinned but jet black thick hairs - we’ve bleached them the last couple of summers but she wants something more long term.

I now have her younger sister (10) asking when she can remove leg hair - I’ve said summer before secondary school. She is a September baby so the oldest in the year - she quite embarrassed by it but she just wears long socks for now! I guess I may have to use the cream earlier on her.

I do have the Phillips thing but only used on myself. Same as my girls very very pale skin but black thick hairs!

RedskyAtnight · 16/04/2020 11:46

She's 10, nearly 11, not 9

But she got upset about it last year, when presumably she was a year younger than she is now?

Ariela · 16/04/2020 11:50

Silky mits are great for that age. I think Boots or Superdrug do them www.boots.com/boots-smooth-care-exfoliating-mitt-10247209
www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Female-Hair-Removal/Wipes-&-Mitts/Superdrug-Hair-Remover-Mitts-x3/p/280956

They really work well and leave the skin smooth, no chance of nicking, no stubble either

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 11:53

Thanks, maybe I do need to build some resilience! I just didn't expect some of the comments that I got basically calling me a liar! 😱
I will support my DD whatever she decides as quite rightly it is her decision, whether she chooses shaving, waxing, cream. I just thought that asking other mums their experience would be a good thing to do!
Not to be made to feel like a shite mum for not letting her do what she wants!

OP posts:
Elouera · 16/04/2020 11:54

I too was going to suggest silky mitts or depilatory cream. It stinks, but removes the hair just below the skin, so last a day or so more than shaving anyway.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 11:55

Ariela thanks, I think that is a really good option, as she really doesn't want to shave, she has seen me with razor cuts!! 😂

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perniciousdot · 16/04/2020 11:59

I did under her arms with Veet cream the other day, but I'm not sure how suitable that is for legs

You could always read the instructions.

I'm a bit baffled by this post tbh. You don't really want to hear anyone's opinion, you just want everyone to say yes, use the lumea. So use it.

she really doesn't want to shave, she has seen me with razor cuts!!

Maybe you need better razors or a new technique; razor cuts are totally avoidable.

BrooHaHa · 16/04/2020 12:01

she really doesn't want to shave, she has seen me with razor cuts

It's not really that difficult and presumably you've been doing it a while, so how are you managing to cut yourself? Agree with PP, invest in better razors and maybe Google to look for a better technique.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:03

perniciousdot nope I am listening to other people's opinions, I've said we will look at all options and talk about it later!
And the cuts aren't all the time, only when I've bought the wrong razor!
I just said about the lumea as an option, I online chatted them and the operator said it was save to use on under 18's with care, I'm only going off what they said 🤔

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BrooHaHa · 16/04/2020 12:04

Maybe read this with her:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/laser-hair-removal/

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:06

Thanks, she has just said that she will try whatever! She said she is ok now, but sometimes the girls at school say nasty things about her hairy legs

OP posts:
Hoggleludo · 16/04/2020 12:10

It says you have to shave with the lumea anyway. For the first few months

I wouldn't use that on a child though. If I'm honest

I would either let her shave. Or veet it.

BrooHaHa · 16/04/2020 12:10

Well, it can cause scarring, burns and long-term rashes. Which I thought would be more scary than the idea of the odd razor nick. But hey, up to you two. Good luck with whatever you eventually do.