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Preteens

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

Original poster

What age is a good age to let DD hair remove?

63 replies

Cece92 · 07/01/2023 19:26

Hi all :) my DD9 has asked a few times to shave her legs. I've tried putting it off aslong as possible but she's very insecure about her leg and arm hair. DD is a mirror copy of me. We both have olive skin and very very black hair (naturally) I was young when I shaved as I felt the same as DD but I went behind my mums back stole a razor and had several big cuts and done it dry 🙈😂 I am not against hair removing but I'd rather avoid shaving so young. Is there any other alternatives except hair removal that anyone could suggest? Not sure if it matters but DD is actually mixed race too her hair is slightly thicker than what mines was at that age. Tia :)

OP posts:
35965a · 07/01/2023 19:27

It’s her body, so whenever she wants. Maybe buy an electric shaver or something.

DuplicateUserName · 07/01/2023 19:28

Electric shaver. I used one at that age.

ProceedWithOptimism · 07/01/2023 19:29

If she's asking then show her how to do it safely.

Mumma · 07/01/2023 19:32

I told my daughter at that age that in the winter its the best time not to bother because no one will see your legs. In the summer of year 6 she then shaved them with an electric razor

whiteroseredrose · 07/01/2023 19:35

I got DD's legs waxed at about 10.

Original poster
Cece92 · 07/01/2023 19:39

I was thinking once spring summer comes in and it's shorts season. I always tell nobody cares in the winter cause we need the extra layer. I'll have a wee look at electric razors over the next couple days 😊 thank you all xx

OP posts:
Germolenequeen · 07/01/2023 19:40

Nine?????? Why on earth would a nine year old need shaved legs?

DuplicateUserName · 07/01/2023 19:46

Germolenequeen · 07/01/2023 19:40

Nine?????? Why on earth would a nine year old need shaved legs?

You'll need to re-read the fairly short OP to find that answer.

Woeman · 07/01/2023 19:48

I think as soon as it bothers her. Yes to ladyshave type thingy.

ProceedWithOptimism · 07/01/2023 20:04

Germolenequeen · 07/01/2023 19:40

Nine?????? Why on earth would a nine year old need shaved legs?

What age do you imagine is appropriate? So many parents are weird about this.

Precipice · 07/01/2023 20:06

Late teens when you can't really stop her anymore.

You should talk to her about it instead. Point out that everyone gets body hair, boys and girls, and it's natural, just like she has hair on her head, she has hair on her arms and her legs. It's part of growing up, isn't she getting big!

PAFMO · 07/01/2023 20:07

Germolenequeen · 07/01/2023 19:40

Nine?????? Why on earth would a nine year old need shaved legs?

Because, as her mother has said, she's dark and hairy and it's clearly bothering her.

DuplicateUserName · 07/01/2023 20:08

Precipice · 07/01/2023 20:06

Late teens when you can't really stop her anymore.

You should talk to her about it instead. Point out that everyone gets body hair, boys and girls, and it's natural, just like she has hair on her head, she has hair on her arms and her legs. It's part of growing up, isn't she getting big!

Yeah my mum did this when I was 9.

I took my dad's (non safety razor) into the bath, smeared my legs with soap and basically ended up butchering myself.

It took that for my mum to buy me a cheap Lady Shave.

Lalalandddd · 07/01/2023 20:12

What if you wax them for her?

The effects will last much longer. Hair seems to grow back much faster after you've shaved.

noscoobydoodle · 07/01/2023 20:18

My DD is 7 and we used magic mitts on her legs a couple of times in the summer when she got upset about her leg hair. She knows it's just hair and we all have it. She also knows it's her choice to keep or remove it in the same way as she chooses how to have her hair cut. Her favourite saying is my body my choice!

emptythelitterbox · 07/01/2023 20:36

If it bothers her, let her remove it. Take her to get them waxed.

ProceedWithOptimism · 07/01/2023 21:30

Precipice · 07/01/2023 20:06

Late teens when you can't really stop her anymore.

You should talk to her about it instead. Point out that everyone gets body hair, boys and girls, and it's natural, just like she has hair on her head, she has hair on her arms and her legs. It's part of growing up, isn't she getting big!

Late teens??? So you want the OP's daughter to exist for another 9 years feeling embarrassed about her body. Awesome.

Meredusoleil · 07/01/2023 21:37

My dd2 started the summer of end of Year 5 aged 10.5. We tried the magic mitt things. They took ages as she had a lot of hair. The when they grew back, I used cold wax strips. They were better and quicker. Not sure what we'll try next, but will be soon.

Dd1 was more hairy on her face, so we started waxing there in the summer of Year 6 and she shaved her legs at the same time I think.

dampthursday · 07/01/2023 21:40

Precipice · 07/01/2023 20:06

Late teens when you can't really stop her anymore.

You should talk to her about it instead. Point out that everyone gets body hair, boys and girls, and it's natural, just like she has hair on her head, she has hair on her arms and her legs. It's part of growing up, isn't she getting big!

Yep she’d have a great time getting changed for PE in front of every

dampthursday · 07/01/2023 21:42

*everyone.

It’s one thing if you’re choosing not to remove body hair. Completely different if you want to but your mum won’t let you.

SomeCommonThing · 07/01/2023 21:46

Tbh if it's bothering her, I'd teach her how to safely do it now and talk about the options available for hair removal
But I'd also sit and have a chat about body hair removal is not an expectation and is a personal choice.

smileladiesplease · 07/01/2023 21:54

Mumsnet answer! Your dd should be proud of her body! You should get her to stand up for feminist rights to be hairy and face down the bullying she will inevitably get from being hairy!

Real life. When she asks for your help and support for this buy her a razor help her sort it and share a hot chocolate. When she's older think electrolysis if that's what suits her

smileladiesplease · 07/01/2023 21:56

The late teens response is actually frightening. There goes a pregnancy or early sex right there because mother couldn't be arsed to step up.

walkinthewoodstoday · 07/01/2023 22:21

If she has asked and is feeling uncomfortable , then now is the time.

swimmingincustard · 07/01/2023 22:38

https://crystal-removal.co.uk/products/crystal-hair-removal?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuNDZ5cK2AIVC4BQBh2f7wqqEAAYAiAAEgJbpfDBwE

DD10 uses one of these on her legs as she asked to shave and I thought it would be easier and safer for her. We've also tried nair removal cream.