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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

When did your son start shaving?

31 replies

diavlo · 22/04/2019 21:31

Just wondering what age your sons were when they needed to start shaving, how often etc? According to my yr 11 ds, loads of his classmates do, but this seems a bit early to me.

OP posts:
dementedma · 22/04/2019 21:33

About 15. It was a real lump in throat, coming of age monent. He is the youngest of 3 with two older sisters. It was strange.

missmapp · 22/04/2019 21:34

Ds1 started at 13 as he had facial hair. Some of his friends do, others dont. Ds2 is 11 and nowhere near needing to shave

SimonJT · 22/04/2019 21:34

I had to start shaving when I was 11/12, I could grow a full beard by 13.

64sNewName · 22/04/2019 21:38

Hmm, DS is getting a little bit moustache-y at 11.5 but I don’t know if he’d want to actually shave. No sign of beard hair at this point. Wonder if I ought to ask him.

I might just prompt his dad to be ready to chat with him about shaving if it arises naturally in conversation - see what he says.

Original poster
diavlo · 22/04/2019 21:46

I just thought he would be about 18 for some reason and it's taken me by surprise that he started shaving at 15, just tash once every couple of weeks and now at 16.5 tash, sideburns and a few chin whiskers a couple of times a week! It's such a visual reminder that he's not a little boy anymore.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 22/04/2019 21:50

My ds is 12 and has a noticeable 'tache which he needs to shave every couple of weeks, but seems to be accelerating atm

bibbitybobbityyhat · 22/04/2019 21:51

I think my ds could start now (it's all starting to look a bit untidy) but I am not going to prompt him to or anything like that. He can decide. He is 15.5 and fairly mature for his age but not particularly dark haired.

Original poster
diavlo · 22/04/2019 21:53

Goodness Simon, that

OP posts:
ExpletiveDelighted · 22/04/2019 21:54

Mine could also start now (15 and a bit) but hasn't yet, only tache visible at the moment.

IWouldPreferNotTo · 22/04/2019 21:55

I was 12 when I needed shave once a month to keep the bum fluff down. By 14 I could grow a proper set of sideburns and had to shave regularly.

Electric shavers are great for this age as they don't need the perfect smoothness and a good rotary will keep it under control and is spot friendly

Original poster
diavlo · 22/04/2019 21:55

Oops, too soon, was meant to say goodness Simon that was very young to have a full beard.

Glad to know that my ds and his friends aren't particularly abnormal😀

OP posts:
Nousernameforme · 22/04/2019 21:58

My 15 yo doesnt need to yet but his 11 yo brother isnt going to be long i dont think. It all depends on the person

Rugbylife · 22/04/2019 22:08

My youngest ds12 started shaving just after Christmas, I was out and when I came home he came running up saying look dad shaved me! I was so upset. I waited until he was gone and started moaning at dh and he said he asked me to do it, it was bothering him and the kids in school had started teasing him. I realised then, that’s it my last baby gone. His older brother is 16 and very blonde you can only see his facial hair in certain light.

Rugbylife · 22/04/2019 22:17

My youngest ds12 started shaving just after Christmas, I was out and when I came home he came running up saying look dad shaved me! I was so upset. I waited until he was gone and started moaning at dh and he said he asked me to do it, it was bothering him and the kids in school had started teasing him. I realised then, that’s it my last baby gone. His older brother is 16 and very blonde you can only see his facial hair in certain light.

youarenotkiddingme · 22/04/2019 22:17

My ds is 14 1/2. He gets hairs under his chin and he pulls them out Grin
Tache is there very finely but is blonde atm.

I've told him he can have an electric shaver when he wants to start. I've even looked at them when in town so he knows they are there.

But it's his choice when he starts. It will likely be in next 6-12 months?

Peakypolly · 22/04/2019 22:20

My 21 year old DS still only needs to shave about once a week. His best mate has been shaving since 12.
Seems to be no rules in this.

beenhereages1 · 22/04/2019 22:48

DS1 has been shaving since he was 14. Now at 15.5 he doesn't have to shave too frequently - maybe once or twice a month

AuditAngel · 22/04/2019 22:51

DS got a shave4pr for Christmas. He was 14 in August. He only shaves his “tash” every couple of weeks

ExpletiveDelighted · 23/04/2019 08:59

Any recommendations for a shaver? Do others agree that a rotary is good? Do any of your DSs wet shave?

IWouldPreferNotTo · 23/04/2019 10:26

Philips Aquatouch is a good one as you can put a little bit of shaving oil and water on the face and the chance to razor burn is greatly reduced.

It's really important to teach boys about the importance of looking after their skin when shaving.

Wash the face first with a scrub to clean out the pores. Don't use thick gels etc, an oil is better with some warm water (hot water is more for shaving with a blade). Then pat the face dry and moisturise afterwards with something with SPF15.

ExpletiveDelighted · 23/04/2019 10:45

Thank you, he does no real skincare at all ATM, just washes with a flannel, so this is all new territory. DH uses a rotary but no scrubs, oil or moisturisers, shaving gel for the occasional wet shave. No idea where we are going to put all this extra stuff in our tiny bathroom!

MirandaWest · 23/04/2019 10:48

DS is 15. Shaves about a couple of times a week I think

JustDanceAddict · 23/04/2019 12:24

His moustache(!) about age 12. Now he’s 15 he needs to shave 2-3 x a week. He has dark hair though.

Disfordarkchocolate · 23/04/2019 12:29

About 12, not every day though. This week he looks like Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

InMySpareTime · 23/04/2019 12:34

DS is 17 1/2 and doesn't shave yet Blush.
He's fair ginger and has fine hair, so only has ghost sideburns and 3 chin hairs. I have a better tache than he does!
He'll probably need to shave every so often by the time he's 19.

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