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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:
Chanel05 · 16/04/2020 12:12

I'd get some wax strips. I don't find waxing painful at all, it's more the anticipation! It lasts for ages too and the more regularly you do it over time, the less it grows.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:13

Thanks, she has just read this thread and said wow, it's worse than school Mum! 😂😂
We are going to use the cream for now, then she said maybe shave before High School.

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Hoggleludo · 16/04/2020 12:13

Also. Fried. Has the lumea and she found it extremely painful.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:14

Chanel05 oh my I am such a wuss with waxing! I can do my moustache, but bikini line oh my!

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

Hoggleludo I had just read Lumea posts on here and was going off that. Just looking at all options really. I don't want her to go to high school and get picked on like i was 😭

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Time40 · 16/04/2020 12:17

I think it's incredibly sad that a little girl is feeling forced into starting on boring, time-consuming "beauty" chores at such a very young age.

Why not take this opportunity to have a long talk with her about all the issues involved? This touches on so many interesting and important subjects - not least, why we bow to peer pressure, and what the consequences of doing so actually are. Your DD should make her own decision about this, but it would be a good thing if she does that from a position of some knowledge and understanding.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:23

I was 11 when I started shaving, so I just think it's the age they get to, when they notice their body.

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woodencoffeetable · 16/04/2020 12:24

I plan on buying an electric shaver when dc wants to shave legs.
seems the safest and easiest way.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:26

We have said we will look at electric shavers later, just in the process of building up a trampoline!

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Time40 · 16/04/2020 12:27

I don't want her to go to high school and get picked on like i was

I understand that, OP. I'm sure you're a lovely and very caring mum. Being picked on and bullied is horrible (I know first hand - I was very badly bullied at school, for years. It's foul.)

But ... I still think it's worth having the conversation about why we conform, and if that is always the right thing to do. Standing up to being picked on and bullied, doing one's own thing, not backing down ... that can make one feel incredibly strong and powerful, and that's a good feeling to have in later life.

katieyhy · 16/04/2020 12:30

I'm 25 and don't shave my legs unless I'm on holiday (I go for 6 weeks a year abroad). I don't have harsh hairs and as a result they aren't obvious when not shaved.
Shaving will just make it worse! Maybe only let her do something in summer?

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:31

Time40 I think it's just the age she has come to, she is self conscious of her leg hair, I know some of her friends are too, she does alot of dancing too, so small outfits. There is no way I would pressure her into doing something she doesn't want, if it builds her confidence then so be it, it was just about people opinions on the right type of hair removal for her age. I have two older boys so obviously I haven't come across this before and unfortunately my mum and mother in law passed away recently so have noone to ask there

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Branleuse · 16/04/2020 12:33

Why is she so upset by some fair hair on her legs at 10? Poor kid.

Theres loads of hair removal creams available and ladyshave is quite good as doesnt go right up to the skin so is gentle and no cuts

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:37

Branleuse, probably because girls at school, have pointed out her hairy legs.
Like I said I shaved mine for the first time at 11, it's growing up.
Thanks I'll just get loads of different options in, she's not bothered at the moment with her being off school. I know it's been discussed with her mates, as their parents have also said they have used cream to remove under arm hair.

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Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:38

katieyhy thanks, I'm certainly not going to make her do anything, she will lead me with her decision. Thanks

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Dommina · 16/04/2020 12:46

I echo Time40. Obviously it's best to show her how to shave safely. But she should absolutely know that's its a choice, that not everyone makes. What a great opportunity for a conversation about where the enormous pressure comes from, and how difficult it can be to say no to societal pressure.

myfav · 16/04/2020 12:46

Op I agree with you re not shaving, I will certainly be encouraging my DDs to use other methods. I don't have any experience with the lumea. I started off waxing (well my mum did it) then using an epilator. I don't have much hair growth now and what does grow is still soft and fair so massive positives over shaving.

Dommina · 16/04/2020 12:47

I haven't shaved anything for about 2 years, not even in summer. My skin always reacted terribly to shaving, didn't want to wax, laser stuff doesn't work on fair hair. So I just thought 'fuck it' and put down the razor forever. Feels good.

Hoggleludo · 16/04/2020 12:48

I'd let my child start shaving whenever she wanted. I really would. I would also stress the importance of loving yourself for sure. But kids can be mean. There aren't many children that can stand up to a group of bullies. No matter how much confidence they have.

Original poster
Loveagoodbook · 16/04/2020 12:52

I would love to not have to shave, I usually don't in the winter and end up looking like a wooley mammoth! 😂😂 We will have the conversation about loving our body whatever, but it's hard to justify not removing body hair when I do it!

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MissSueFlay · 16/04/2020 12:53

Try an epilator - same principle as waxing but less of a faff. She can quickly run it over her legs every other day. It doesn't leave totally smooth skin, and you need to exfoliate to stop ingrown hairs, but it's quick and convenient once you're used to how it feels.
I've been doing it for years and years and have areas on my legs where hair doesn't grow at all.

BrooHaHa · 16/04/2020 12:55

Try an epilator - same principle as waxing but less of a faff.

I admire your pain threshold. I tried it once. Never again.

myfav · 16/04/2020 13:00

@BrooHaHa it's so painful the first few times. Been doing it for years now and it's completely pain free.

Cissyandflora · 16/04/2020 13:08

Just advise her to shave. It absolutely does not change anything about the hair growth. It’s science. I’m a beauty therapist and I specialised in IPL hair removal for many years.
The beauty world is full of old wives tales about shaving being bad. That’s why we make so much money with waxing. It’s people not understanding biology.
Lumea is definitely not for children though. My daughters both shave. Youngest is 11. I would not want her feeling embarrassed or like it’s any big deal. When she grew armpit hair she thought she she thought she would never again wear a t shirt. I bought her a razor and told her to get on with it. Normal bodies. Normal to have hair. Some want to remove it. That’s all fine too.

Chanel05 · 16/04/2020 13:08

@Loveagoodbook it sounds like you're trying to do the right thing by your daughter which is the main thing. I shaved my legs in secret (not very well I might add, I did it dryConfused) when I was her age because lots of girls in my class already were. Maybe try a few different ways to see what works for her?