Shaving????

I honestly don't think that she is too young to start shaving especially if it is bothering her that much. I think it's good she is caring about her appearence.

Hi W.,
I have a beautiful 10 year old also, oh the preteen years!!She also was begging me to shave her legs for some time. I just did not want her to. I was afraid that she would cut herself, honestly, and I don't want her to grow up to fast! Anyhow, she was so paranoid about having hairly legs and older girls were comenting. She didn;t even want to wear shorts. I gave in this summer. She did cut herself pretty bad last week, and I wanted so bad to say, ok that's it you are not shaving anymore, but I realized that this is something that she has to go through and gave her some tips to avoid cutting herself next time. Good luck
A.

I agree with most everyone here I was about 10 or 11 when I got an electric razor in my stocking. I was about 14 or close to it when I finally started using a razor.

Go for it! Growing up is hard and if something as simple as shaving helps her to feel more confident, why not. I had dark hair on my legs as a kid and can remember being really embarrassed by it. I was 11 when I convinced my mom I needed to shave.

I've never had good luck with Nair or Veet. Coarse leg hair is a challenge. Another safe option is the Schick Intuition razors. I've never cut myself using these. A friend's daughter, has used them to start shaving and has had good luck with them as well. They have a "skin conditioning shield" attached. It's an all-in-one, no extra shave cream needed. Another product I recommend is Aveeno's Positively Smooth Conditioning Lotion. I don't know how exactly it works, but it does. Leg hair feels softer and you shave a little less often.

Definitely make it something special, some good girl time as you teach her how to shave safely and correctly. Have fun! Best of luck to both of you!

-T.

Hmm I would let her do it. I was in 4th grade as well- wow that seems so young... but I too had really dark hair and was teased. I think an electric razor is a great idea. I used a regular one and cut my legs ALL up!! Then I was embarrassed because it was SO obvious I had butchered my legs lol! I don't think it would hurt to let her. I'm so glad I'm not there yet!!

Hi W.,

I am in the same boat as you. My daughter is 12 and is feeling the same way. Not really bugging me but definitely letting me know she is interested in it. I know I was 12 when I started shaving my legs but I believe it really is a maturity thing. I dont think my daughter is responsible enough yet. I have a 4 year old and I'm not sure she's ready to shave and put her supplies away, clean up, etc. I would sit down and really just talk to your daughter. You dont want her to just try behind your back and injure herself. You may be able to use one of those creams that dont actually require shaving and the smoothness lasts longer...such as nair or veet. I would definitely stress to her that once she starts shaving the hair will be darker and more coarse. Good Luck..
L.

Hi W.,
My oldest daughter is now 14, but when she was 8 she became very self-concious about the hair on her legs. She would actually come home form school crying and stuff because of kids talking about it. At that point I knew that it was time to let her grow up, so I started using nair (and doing it for her). She started doing her legs by herself when she turned 11. She does nick herself once in a while, but for the most part she is very goos at keeping up with the problem.

Hi W., Granted my daughter are two and four, but I have know many moms who wait until their daughters enter 6th grade. Apparently, begining at that age girls will tease other girls who have hairy legs. I hope that helps. Z.

I think I was 11. Since she is self conscious about it, I vote for letting her start now. Just be there the first time to supervise and teach her how she should do it.

Hi, W.,

I wasn't going to respond to you because I agree with the other advice. Just remember, if you keep putting her off, she might go behind your back and shave anyway. She may use your razor or her step-fathers. Yuck. When I started shaving I just did it and I used my sister's razor (what did I know). I was entering puberty back in the dark ages when nobody talked about it. I think my mother believed that if she ignored it, it would go away. Anyway, I got no instruction from her.

This might be an opportunity for you to take a good, hard look at your daughter, too. Examine her eyebrows, because that will be next. If she has lovely eyebrows like Julia Roberts or Kiera Knightley, they might just need a little shaping. If she has a unibrow or bushy eyebrows, you might want to take her to an eyebrow artist to give her a good shape and show her how to maintain her eyebrows herself (if you can afford it). Yeah, I was one to use a razor on my unibrow.

She may also need a new hairstyle. A school in Virginia Beach had or has a young ladies club and one of their activities was to get a free haircut at a local salon. Those girls went in looking like awkward little girls and came out looking like poised, confident young ladies.

My daughter is only four, but I know one day I'll be taking her to an eyebrow artist. When she's older, I'll make sure gets good make-up instruction. No green eyeshadow for her!

I think I was about 12 when I first shaved my legs. I think if your daughter really wants to do it, you should let her. At that age, I think the more open you can encourage her to be about her feeling about herself the better, so if she is sharing this with you, you should go with it.

I don't know when I started, but I know that kids can be cruel. Sooner or later she wear shorts or have to change in gym class and the other kids will take notice. I'd let her do it. I remember my mom gave me an electric razor that I used for years before I used the traditional razor and shaving cream.

I was in 6th grade, but I would agree with other posters, that if she is really wanting to..I wouldn't think her age would be too young. It can't really hurt her if she stars (well, as long as you teach her good!). Just don't do what my mother did! She only allowed me to shave up to my knees and that was it. And I have DARK leg hairs, my entire legs! It was SO embarassing when I was younger, until one day my mom noticed and demanded I had to shave?? I guess she didn't really pay attention to my begging prior! Shaving your legs is a simple thing for them to do at that age that I could see would help them feel more confident about who they are, at an age where everyone is scrutinizing everything about you.
K.

I think its ok at 10 to shave my oldest is 10 and she uses nair on her legs. Im too paranoid to let her use a razor but she needed to shave she was hairy and embarassed. Now shes has armpit hair and asked me when i will let her shave that :) good luck.

I think I agree with Kristin, I think I was 11 and I think I was at summer camp. I kicked myself because it was light and it got darker, but if it is already dark and she is embarrassed, I dont think it is a big deal. But Kristin is right, it is winter so there is no reason to start until shorts weather.

Hi W.
If she has the desire to shave then by all means TEACH HER!! I know that we can be so self conscious when we are young. As a mom we might not even see what they see so if it's not a big deal, teach her to do it safely now while she is coming to you to ask. Get some nice foam, and a pretty pink razor and make it a 'COMING OF AGE' sort of party for just the two of you. So many moms let these little moments pass by, and it's something that is just between you two for now. She's just starting to grow up on you. Ouch! She may only shave once a month..who knows...but something is driving it. My niece got a razor and didn't know to use anything and scarred her leg where she just dug that razon on her shin.
Hugs,
T.

I remember being 11 years old and my mother gave me a razor and shaving cream in my stocking to let me know I could shave. I remember that being so cool. I was on the younger side of my friends when i started shaving. She won't realize how big of a pain it is until she's in late high school or college, so by then everyone will have shaved anyways. If she feels really insecure i'de say let her do it. At least let her do the bottom half of her leg and don't let her get all the way up to the upper thigh. Good luck!

i am now 33 years old and i started shaving at about 11 years old. my mother bought me a girls small electric shaver and that taught me how to do it and within time i was ready to use a regular razor. just a thought. Hope this helps.

My daughter is 10 and in the same situation. Actually, she has been self-conscious about her dark, hairy legs for a few years. About 3 summers ago (when she was 7)I started applying Nair. Finally, this pst summer I let her start shaving. I gave her the Intuition razor - the one with the big blade that is completely surrounded on all four sides by shaving lubricant. She loves it and I feel like she is less likely to cut herself with that razor.

Hello, my daughter is now 12 and has been shaving for the last couple of years. I too hesitated for fear of this or that happening but we are both redheads and she to was embarrased by her hair showing especially in shorts. We started w/an electric razor and then moved on to the veet products and over time w/upkeep she now alternates between a regular razor and an electric because that seems to work best for her. We both have sensitive skin so if your daughter or yourself have that issue you might want to try a small area first to make sure that won't irritate her skin. Goodluck and don't forget to moisturize!! A. H.

Hi W., I have a daughter who just turned 13 today and she has been shaving since about that time. I was torn about it because once you start you can't stop. I also remember how cruel kids can be and so I allowed her finally to start shaving her legs. I think that she was about 10. It's a personal choice. I was torn between wanting her to feel comfortable in her own body despite what others might think, and conforming to the 'norm' whatever that may be. I gave in. I don't feel that she is any less secure. It may have helped her self esteem. M.

I don't remeber how old I was but I do remeber that I was in the fifth grade when I started. Having a daughter myself I have been wondering when I would get this question, and I realized that it isn't the shaving part that scares me it her cutting herself that scares me. When I was young I cut myself very badly with a razor and I worry that she will do the same thing. If you have the same fears that I do I would recommend starting her out with an electric razor. I have one that I use in between shower shaving (helps save water!) and it is much smoother than I though it would be. It is called the remington Smooth and Silky. Then as she gets older you might be able to introduce her to razor shaving. This will get rid of her dark hair (I know how she feels) but you won't have to worry about her nicking or cutting herself accidentally. Good Luck!

I was in 4th grade when I started shaving, so I think that is about 9 or 10..all my friends had started shaving so I wanted to, too!! I think if she thinks she is ready then she is!! I would watch her do it though the first time..just incase she cuts herself. But, ultimately its what you feel comftorable doing!! Good Luck with whatever you decide!

Kids are starting to do things like that at a younger age now days. If she does have harry legs and it is noticable, then I would say she could shave in the spring. I have a 12 yr. old who wants to shave but you can't even see that she has hair on her legs. I would start her out on the nair, you don't use a razor blade, it is plastic and it removes the hair. good luck.

I started shaving in the 6th grade...not sure how old that is. But if she is embarrassed by it, why not let her? Just show her how so she is careful. My mom put me off for a while by telling me the stories of 'once you start you have to do it for the rest of your life...'

I would have to agree with everyone else.

Hey W.,

I was about 10 or 11 when I started shaving and my mom actually started me with Nair instead of a razor. Kids can be cruel and as much as I hate to admit it at such a young age, very appearence oriented. Let her try it and go from there. After a while of doing it, I decided it was too much work and actually just started wearing pants more. LOL

I believe I was around 11 when I started shaving. It was around the same time I got my first period. Maybe wait until the spring/warmer weather so she is a little older than she is now.

I vote to let her start now with your supervision the first time of course. I understand the concept of wanting to wait until spring or summer, but what about gym class? Or if she takes dance or something where her legs have to be exposed? Being embarrased at that age is really awkward. (Did I spell that right? It doesn't look right. :) )

i was in 6th grade when i started shaving my pits and legs. i felt embarrassed of my dark hair as well. later in life, like in high school or so, when i started reading feminist magazines & books, I quit shaving regularly. i wish little girls didn't feel so embarrassed about their bodies. it was such a pain starting to shave then and having to do it regularly to keep up with the growth, but peer pressure is a real pain. good luck!

Hello W.,
My 10 year old daughter is going through the same changes, hair on legs and underarms. Like you I couldn't remember when I started shaving either and the thought of her with a razor in her hands terrified me. But I want her to always be comfortable with her body and her own self image so we decided now was the time to teach her to shave, about and about all the other changes her body would go through as she reached puberty. We tried using a product like Neet first since it involved no blades and little mess, but in the process we found out she had REALLY sensitive skin, and we both gagged on the smell of the stuff so that first shaving experience was not a good one (frowning over here). It took her about a week to want to give it a go again, so to the shaving cream and razor we went, it's still a work in progress teaching her not to apply to much pressure to take her time etc. And of course you know like most ten year olds when it's not a new thrill you have to stay on them to keep it up since the hair grows back faster and thicker. Godd luck with your own daughter.
Renee

As best I recall, I was in 4th grade which was around 9-10 & started for the same reasons. My mom bought me a cute electric razor that I used for a few years. My niece started shaving around the same age & used an electric razor for a while, too. However, don't forget to remind her that the razor is for her legs only....my niece used it on her arms & eyebrows!!!!! :)

I know it seems so soon, but I had dark hair on my legs too and my mom didn't let me start shaving I just started shaving on my own. If she is embarrassed chances are others will notice too and being a kid is hard enough- getting picked on is no fun. You might be able to encourage her to wait until the weather is warmer. Some girls mature much faster than others and it needs to be handled just right. This is a good opportunity for you to bond with her and show her that you trust her judgement too. Best of luck!