Waxing for my daughter

[mummytoateen]

Hi,
My 13 year old daughter recently asked me to start waxing her bikini line and legs... they have a fair amount of hair on and her skin tone is quite light so it's visible.
What's people's opinion on whether I should or not? She is evidently self-conscious because of it (not going to swimming parties etc.) and so I am quite confused.
Waxing, shaving or nothing at all?

My mum let me use a silky mit at 13, it just rubs the hair off and isn’t so harsh as a wax especially with the fine hair a child has.

I’d suggest avoiding a razor until needed if you can.

However, you know her best 😁

My DD started with a Lady shave razor but now uses the Aldi pink razors , (she's nearly 17 and finds this is the quickest easiest method for her)

I use wax (hot wax) just bought the Nad's sugaring kit to try out . I use an epilator on my legs as I find waxing them a faff, I miss bits. Easier to go over again with the epilator

Bikini line has to be wax and a grimace . No because its painful (it's no worse than doing my pits) it's just the contortion of applying and keeping the skin taut . But worth the effort.

Let her remove it for goodness sake. Imagine not being allowed to decide if you remove your own body hair or not? How she does it is up to you to decide together. I can't see any reason why she shouldn't get a professional wax unless you're worried about the cost or she has sensitive skin. I'd advise her not to shave her bikini line but use wax or cream instead as it's less itchy.

Let her try waxing but maybe ask her to take a paracetamol an hour or so before as it can be a bit uncomfortable the first couple times. Maybe switch to an epilator after a while.

Definitely let her get it removed. So much better with you on her side. Waxing- hot wax essential for bikini by a beauty therapist. Maybe shave lower legs as that she can learn to do by herself.

Advice her not to wax just before her period - it's more sensitive.

Would a 13yo go to a salon (I know my DD wouldn't) . It might be easier if she did though, they can get the wax right and keep the skin taut .

For home wax - hairs need to be long enough to grab but not too long . Hot wax is far superior to pre-waxed strips . cotton cloths are better than paper. Double check the temperature

exfoliate
dry the skin thoroughly
light dust of talc
apply the wax in the direction of the hair
apply the strip (leave a bit to hold)
rub briskly
pull off against the hair , keep the strip parallel to the skin not 90 degrees , one swift movement
you might need to do it again the armpit hair grows in random directions. I can usually do mine in one go

if you can get a water soluble wax to remove any random bits (though I just go over with the strip to take them off)

I would advise getting her to start waxing.

It’s more painful than shaving and more expensive but better for the hair growth and she will thank you for it later in life.

As a beauty therapist who specialises in waxing I can honestly say the clients I have who have been waxing since they were young have noticeably less hair growth now they are older than those clients who started off shaving and have only got into waxing in the past few years - the hair tends to grow thicker and in some cases can cause ingrown hairs and stubble which I can guarantee your daughter will find a lot more embarrassing.

You can suggest she tries taking a paracetamol before her wax appointment but if I’m totally honest I don’t really think it works. It will be uncomfortable but it will be manageable as I can imagine the hair is fine and fluffy as opposed to thick and stubbly.

And as she is young and I’m imagining smaller than the typical woman who has waxing done - her treatment can be done within 25 - 40 mins.

Good luck

I did some patch tests with my DD at 11yo, she tried shaving, depilatory cream and wax. She chose to shave her legs and armpits. She went through a phase of asking me to wax her tache (we are both olive skinned with dark hair) but seems to have calmed down about it all over the last 18 months (now 15yo). Giving her the power to choose what, how and when seemed to remove some of the pressure she felt to do something.

I waxed my 12 year old DD legs yesterday. She had her period but took a painkiller half an hour before and was fine. She has lots of body hair and it's quite dark and course, but not one yelp was made

I have just used the Nad's Sugar to do my armpits today . I normally use a hot wax , this one is used straight from the tub , no risk of burning.

Did a great job - I used a fairly generous layer , one strip and all clear . Minimal residue . Did my 'tasche as well (though they recommend the Facial one for this , but it worked)

Only downside - the hairs on my armpit were quite long so it dragged a bit , not as fluid as a hot wax . I wouldn't use it on my legs , I think the dragging would annoy me , but I don't leg wax anyway .

(And Nads are Cruelty Free , that might be something your DD is concerned about)

I would without a doubt allow my (12 year old) daughter to wax if she wanted to. I'd rather she do that and be able to wear shorts and skirts when she wants to than be self conscious about it. Do you have any beauty therapist friends who wax at home who you can take her to, rather than a salon?

I would let her try different methods and choose for herself which she prefers.

What about buying her something like a braun silk epil with both an epilating head and a shaving one. Then she can remove hair herself at home in private without risking cutting herself. Epilating removes hair at the root like waxing but thr shaver and trimmer are useful for sensitive areas.

I don't have kids but when I was her age I used hair removal cream on my bikini line and shaved my legs.

When I was 15 I started getting basic bikini waxes from a lady who could come to the house which made me feel comfortable. I started using salons when I was 17.

If it bothers her I'd definitely discuss all the options with her and let her choose. It's nice you're being supportive and talking to her about it.

I waxed my legs round that age, I'm also very fair and if I'm honest I've never really found it painful, the anticipation is far worse than the reality. Also I generally have a low pain threshold, (DH said the midwives were joking about it when I was in labour).

Maybe I'm stingy as fuck but I don't pay for waxing at myself at a salon because I think it's an unnecessary expense, I wouldn't pay for it for a 13 year old!

Yes I would and I do.
My dd started waxing at 13 she has a half leg wax and will have her first bikini and thigh wax before we go on holiday in May (she 14 now) she's very dark with olive skin.
She coped with it much better than I thought she would, she had a couple of paracetamol 45 mins before she went. Now she says the pain doesn't bother her.
If you do go ahead check the salon are ok with her age, the first salon I tried to book her in with wouldn't do waxing on under 16's.

Veet would be a good option for a teenager too

I would say for that age, hair removal cream for the bikini line. Waxing is great but may be a bit painful for young sensitive skin?

Be careful with creams. I had a bad allergic reaction to them. Even after a patch test which was ok. It came out on a bigger area.