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Original poster

Help! DD(8) seems to be entering puberty. Skin care & hair removal...

29 replies

HavingAnOffDAy · 19/03/2015 14:15

Hi

DD turned 8 in January & I've noticed she's starting to sprout armpit hair. Some downy stuff but one or two stronger looking ones as well Shock

Obviously I've googled Grin & understand that this is within the realms of normal, but I'm just under prepared. In my head we had years left before we had to tackle any of this stuff.

The other thing I've noticed is that her skin has developed really open pores around her nose & cheeks (this is where I suffer too) and she's got some spots on her forehead. Nothing major just little red pimples.

I'm thinking hair removal cream for her under arms but can anyone suggest something mild for her face? It looks more dry than oily & I don't want to overload it/make it sore.

TIA Flowers

OP posts:
Mrsmorton · 19/03/2015 14:17

Does she want her underarm hair removed?

ByTheWishingWell · 19/03/2015 14:21

Why would you immediately remove the hair? I'm not having a go, just curious. It's completely natural, and it seems a shame to start a hair removal routine so early.

My niece entered puberty quite early, and has recently had the (very dark) hair removed from her legs because she was getting badly teased about it, but that was a last resort. Is the hair bothering your DD?

girliefriend · 19/03/2015 14:26

I would speak to the GP about precocious puberty just to make sure its all o.kay, 8 is very young still. Is she tall/heavy for her age?

Original poster
HavingAnOffDAy · 19/03/2015 14:31

Hi

I'm completely open to leaving it but if she'd like to remove it then I want to be prepared.

At the moment she's not bothered but they start swimming with the school next term so she may become more aware then.

We've an appointment with the GP next week but from what I've read it doesn't really seem unusual.

OP posts:
DrankSangriaInThePark · 19/03/2015 14:39

My dd is 11 and got a really spotty forehead recently. On Mn recommendation, I got some la Roche Posay effaclar duo cream. It's amazing, made such a difference.

Mrsmorton · 19/03/2015 14:40

Prob best not to give her a complex about a perfectly natural part of life at this stage.

I'm "acquiring" a 9 yo DSD and I hate the way her mother makes her a "mini me" with heels and make up and leg shaving. It's so inappropriate and unfair to impose our view onto them at such an impressionable age. After a week with me and her dad, she doesn't even think to straighten her hair every day, it's refreshing.

Fairylea · 19/03/2015 14:43

If she is bothered and wants to remove it I'd let her have a women's swivel head razor and show her how to use it. I wouldn't faff about with creams etc. Used carefully razors are quick and perfectly safe. My dd started using one at about 9 and never had any issues. I showed her what to do. (I was also about the same age).

If she isn't bothered by the hair I wouldn't say anything though.

SeraOfeliaFalfurrias · 19/03/2015 14:44

My DD1 (9yo) has armpit hairs and they've been growing for a while now. My approach is to compliment her on how well they're growing, and I'm teaching her to be proud of them.

Skivvywoman · 19/03/2015 14:44

Please please please don't start hair removal till she's much much older

I developed really early (as in pubic hair and being hairy) and as I was a dancer I was told to shave my legs from a young age around 8-9 and I've got the worst hairy legs ever and I do believe it's due to starting shaving so young all the time Hmm

I'm interested regarding skin care as my dd is 9 and had her first little spot on her nose!

Original poster
HavingAnOffDAy · 19/03/2015 14:47

Thanks for the advice.

She's more in denial at the moment I think. I've talked to her about it, about personal hygiene & that she'll have to wash more thoroughly now, but I'm making an effort not to make her feel different or self conscious about it. Hopefully that's working!

drank thanks for the skincare recommendation

OP posts:
girliefriend · 19/03/2015 14:53

Drank I might get some of that cream for me Grin you would think at 36yo I would be past skin blemishes alas!

Mrsjayy · 19/03/2015 14:53

Ame (I think it's called ) is very good for young skin boots and teaco sell it my eldest developed hair early youngest got bad skin early around 8 you r post sounds a
Bit panicky you don't need to panic and you don't need to start getting the veet out just yet wait and see what she wants to do mine started shaving theirs at 10/11
Before then it didn't bother them get i know your dd is young but don't worry

RL20 · 19/03/2015 14:55

Hi!
I echo what the others say and try to hold off from hair removal, although the hair removal creams would definitely be the kinder option.

When I was younger the hairs on my arms and legs were very dark, and as I was at an awkward age (around 11, 12) where I didn't really want to ask my mum for a razor, or advice, it stopped me from doing P.E. at school and I was very self conscious with seeing all of these girls in my class with smooth shiny legs with no care in the world. I'm making myself sound like I was some sort of grizzly bear when in fact looking back it probably wasn't even that bad Grin but it was my confidence or lack of, more than anything.
I used to cover up my arms 24/7. When I got to college to study beauty therapy, I jumped at the chance of having my arms waxed, but as a I could never regularly keep up/afford the waxing, I started shaving them which has just been a nightmare! It's true that the hair grows back quick!

So what I'm basically trying to say is, without offending her, have a general chat with her about puberty. You don't need to mention anything about hair yet though.
I also started my periods from an early age too, around 11, so be prepared for that in a few years time, too.

RE the pores, as I've always suffered with skin problems such as eczema, the skin on my face matured quite quickly too. I had mild acne from around the age of 12. This was helped with creams prescribed by the doctor and dermatologist.

With your support she'll be absolutely fine, don't worry!

Mrsjayy · 19/03/2015 14:56

It is Amie i used to get it for dd2 in boots

BigRedBall · 19/03/2015 15:01

My DD1 (9yo) has armpit hairs and they've been growing for a while now. My approach is to compliment her on how well they're growing, and I'm teaching her to be proud of them.

Grin I have actual tears running down my face from laughing so hard reading this. Read it a few times to make sure I was reading correctly...Grin....I mean WTAF? Why would you compliment her on how well her armpit hairs are growing?! Talk about awkward and totally unnecessary. You could just let her copy by example (you being the example) and do away with the underarm hair compliments ...honestly I'm still laughing at this. I'd love to be a fly on your wall Grin.

Original poster
HavingAnOffDAy · 19/03/2015 15:03

Thanks again for recommendations.

I was teased at school for having hairy legs (I still have VERY hairy arms) so am maybe thinking back to how I felt.

I'm not panicky, just caught off guard - my baby is growing up! Grin

OP posts:
SeraOfeliaFalfurrias · 19/03/2015 15:04

BigRedBall Hmm I'm pleased to have amused you, but you don't know my DD, this is the kind of interaction she responds well to. She's frightened of the changes that are happening to her, and making it into a positive makes sense to us. I compliment my DDs on how tall they're growing, I admire the new teeth they are growing, why would DD1's new hair be any different?

But please, ridicule away if that makes you happy.

Molotov · 19/03/2015 15:15

I started puberty early and like your dd, OP, I had fine underarm hair and leg hair as well as the beginnings of pubic hair and breasts from age 8yo. My periods started when I was 11yo and my body was fully developed by the time I was 14yo (I've been 5'9 since I was 14!)

One of the kindest things my DM ever did for me was to allow me to shave and show me how to do it. It's a decision only you can make for your dd, but I'm grateful to my DM for saving me a lot of teasing and embarrassment.

BigRedBall · 19/03/2015 16:37

Because Sera just by trying not to make a big deal of it, you are doing exactly that by mentioning and complimenting them. Will you start complimenting her pubic hair too?
Your dd may well respond well to this but complimenting hair growth in intimate areas is a step too far IMO. Underarm hair growth is completely different to tooth growth or height.

Mrsjayy · 19/03/2015 16:43

It is a shock especially so young i was at least 10 before anything started happening but it seems the norm these days

Molotov · 19/03/2015 16:43

I think the OP is just doing what she thinks is kind , Big. She's admitted she's finding it difficult in terms of her dd's puberty starting early and how best to handle it. Give her a break, FGS.

BigRedBall · 19/03/2015 16:46

Sorry. I'll leave this thread. Feel free to report my posts.

SeraOfeliaFalfurrias · 19/03/2015 17:32

Yes, BigRedBall, and in time I'll teach her how to plait them and tie a pink ribbon around the end. Hmm

FFS, if you think helping a child realise that the changes their body is going through are normal and something to be celebrated is weird, then we will have to agree that we have vastly different approaches to dealing with the situation. However, I would never ridicule another parent's approach. Why is hair any different to teeth? It's just another normal and natural body part.

This is why I generally avoid this board. I think I'll hide it now.

TheCraicDealer · 19/03/2015 21:14

I don't think shaving at a young age will make you hairier long term- you've either got hair follicles there or you don't. Shaving ain't going to make more appear or change the shape of the follicle. If shaving made you hairer long term I'd be sporting a GI Jane do right now Grin I'm prepared to be corrected here by a trichologist btw.

Avene do a good soapless cleanser which doesn't dry the skin out. A dab of tea tree oil on the worst spots might be enough for now. Re. hair removal, I can see why you'd want to be prepared. Eight is unusually young (not weird or unheard of, but on the younger side). If her classmates notice and choose to tease her, a sensitive child may not be able to style out underarm hair like a confident adult. Maybe keep some v sensitive hair removal cream aside in case she ever expresses a desire to remove it, but I wouldn't address it before she did.

Greengardenpixie · 19/03/2015 21:22

I havent noticed this in my dd but she has started to sweat. I have had to put on her some mild deoderant as she can really smell strongly! She has been like this since she was 7. I thought that was incredibly young to start sweating under her arms!