My dd is 10 and younger that I had anticipated having to teach her to shave. However, she is a hairy child and has really been questioning when she can shave under arms and legs. She is pretty responsible and has a good self-esteem overall. We have talked alot about it over the last year and she promised me she would not shave anything without asking. But I did tell her, that if she became too upset about it or felt she really needed to start shaving we would discuss it and I would help her get started. I have made her aware that once you start, it is a constant thing for many, many years. We also discussed that she should NOT shave her arms. Her hair is blond but thick and I guess a little boy walked into the school office last year and mortified his mom and my dd by pointing at her arms and saying, " Look how hairy she is, Mommy!" So, while I think it is cute, she does not and sees it as a way she is different. I had the blond hairy arms until I hit 40 and it was never an issue so I discourage her from concerning herself with it. She is now wearing shorts again and making comments about how her legs are not smooth like her friends, etc.
So.....my husband wants me to figure out how we will proceed and get her started. He wants to start her with an electric shaver because he said that if you start with that, you will have fewer problems, that it is easier and that hair will get thinner over time. I have never used an electric shaver or epilator. Tried an electric shaver a couple fo times as an adult and did not think it worked but have not really given it a try. I'm not sure that an electric razor makes hair thinner but have read that an epilator does. I have also read mixed reviews on epilators. Some say the pain is bad and not worth it. Others say the pain is not so bad and that it is great and that they only shave every 2-3 weeks with it, etc. So can any of you reccomend a beginning shaver or give opinions about using an electric razor or epilator. My dd does have a fairly high tolerance for pain so if that is the only draw back to epilation, it might be ok. I'm just not sure where to begin with her. I appreciate any thoughts you might have.
Thanks for all your replies. I have decided to let her shave but am still undecided about the method. You have all given me so much to consider. Thanks.
I had this same issue when I was about that age. All the little girls in my class were shaving and they would make fun of me. My hair was also blond and not real noticeable. But, it still affected me. My mom gave me an electric shaver - it was simple and easy. It worked out well - and I would definitely recommend getting her a little electric shaver. It will make her feel better.
I'm a 28 year old mother of two, expecting my third :)
I don't think it makes a difference how you shave in terms of hair thickness - the hair is the same thickness regardless; it just seems thicker because it's cut off sharply instead of tapering like new hair growth. I've used a Schick Silk Effects Plus razor since I was a teenager, because they have replaceable blades wrapped with tiny wires to resist nicks. I've cut myself shaving using other razors.
K.,
I can relate with your dilemma.It's hard to realize our babies are growing up too quick these days. My daughter wanted to start shaving around that age, her legs were getting pretty hairy and she was very self conscious. She too stopped wanting to wear shorts, or capris. She told me she had friends who had started shaving without talking to their parents first. One of these friends had cut herself.
Even though I was resistant to let her start I was glad that she confided in me. So,I finally gave in and let her. The first few times I had her put on shorts and I taught her how to shave her legs, until she felt comfortable doing it herself.
We too had looked into the electric razors, but decided to just let her use the little pink razors with the lotion srip on them. She is almost 12 now has been doing fine with shaving.
I think the hardest part for me was realizing that my baby is growing up more quickly then I want her too. When I was younger girls didn't start shaving until Jr High. Now, our girls are wanting and needing to sooner.
Good Luck!
S.
I used an epilator for years and it does really thin out the hair, but it is also very painful. I really can't imagine a 10 year old going through it!! There is a fairly new hair remover out that comes with a faux razor to scrap it off when the remover is done. Of course, she would have to be patient while the hair remover worked and then wash throroughly to make sure that all the chemical was off of her skin. I don't have a daughter but as a girl all my friends shaved and my mother was pretty strict about me not getting started, so i snuck around and did. Got caught pretty quickly!! My best freind was overly developed and had started very early. As for razors, i have always been bad to cut myself and i now use the twilight razors (4 to a pack) and very seldom cut myself!! I think that if she is a bit mature for her age and you have the patience to teach her to go slowly and carefully, shaving would be the best option. And, just think how "cool" it would be to all her girlfriends that she gets to shave already!! Instead of stigma, she would have envy!! Anyway, best of luck.
Have a great day and god bless!!
You could try moom, they have one just for teens: http://www.moom.com/
As a girl who was picked on mericlessly because my legs were hairier than the boys' legs growing up, I always swore I would let my daughter start shaving when she was ready. Believe it or not, she really was ready at 8 years old, and that's when she began shaving. I didn't mess with an electric razor--I taught her with a regular razor and shaving cream. I explained to her that this would be something she would need to keep up, and to be very careful not to cut herself. She actually did really well. She's now almost 13 and I don't regret letting her start shaving at such a young age--she really was ready. I would get a good razor, like Venus, something that has moisture strips, and just take her into the bathroom and watch her as she shaves, guiding her along. Make sure she knows to make upward strokes on her legs, downward strokes under her arms, and to take her time and she'll be fine. Enjoy pre-pubescence! :o)
Unless they have changed significantly since they came out when I was a teen, epilators HURT. They don't cut the hair - they yank it out by the roots.
I've tried using my husband's electric shaver, and found it difficult to reach certain spots on the backs of my legs.
I taught my daughter to shave using a razor and shaving cream. Get a GOOD razor, not the disposables that come a dozen to a pack for a dollar. Will she nick herself? Probably - I've been shaving for 30 years and still nick myself occasionally. That's jsut part of it.
I would just let her shave them. It is very hard to be a girl and be tormented by things like this and little boys are brutal. It won't hurt anything. She is old enough...good luck.
K.,
My daughter went through the same thing at 10, except she is dark haired. I bought her a good quality men's razor for her legs, that way she could take control of it. And I helped her with shaving her under arms. My daughter would not wear shorts to school even on very hot days. she is now 14 and seems to be handling it better. she has now progressed to using a regular razor. good luck, S. r.
I was your daughter, I began shaving at 8 yrs old, I'm a brunnett. A boy in grammer school told me I had gorilla hands and I have been shaving them ever since. My mom started me with a disposable razor with the cap on so I could learn the feel of it. After a few days of getting into the routine and an entire can of shaving cream she let me try with the cover off. I didn't cut myself for the first time until I was 15yrs old, I was rushing to go meet friends. I now use a venus razor & liquid soap on a mesh poof.
I like to wax some areas but I don't always have the time or patience. I have tried the electirc razor and it isn't smooth enough for me. I tried the epilator and that was too painful. They all thin the hair but it takes about 15 years to see results.
Electrolosis is very expensive and not so comfortable but after a couple of thousand dollars and several trips to the office you don't have to do it again.
I shave the base of my fingers, the side of my hand, anything that passes the wrist bone that sticks out by your pinky, legs, the tops of my toes and under arms. When I became a woman, it became nesscary to shave that off too. I was active, sweaty alot and it is very hot were I live and I was having repeated problems.Sorry if that is TMI.
You could also go with her to the store and let her try what she wants. You should avoid diplitories because she could get a chemical burn, her skin is too young.
Last thing, trust in her and she will be fine!
My daughter started shaving just a couple of years ago. We started her out with the VEET system of shaving. It uses a hair removal cream and a shaver like device that does not have a blade. I felt that would help with the cuts and nicks of beginning shaving. Then once she got the hang of it we bought her the Schick Intuition. She loves it and is doing great! I hope this helps.
I have always had a hard time finding something that works for me. I finally have, and now can't remember the name of it, but they are the woman's razors that have the conditioner attached to them. That is the only thing that I have found that works for me. THey are a bit pricey for the refills and stuff but if it works its worth not dealing with nicked legs. Good luck
I am 'only 53' but the very best shaver I have ever tried is the Intuition set. It is the "cream" with the shaver in one unit. It is very smooth and the "creams" are in nice fragrances and in regular and sensitive types (and hard not liquid). My husband shaves his head and has found that this is also his favorite. Easy to use in the shower and FAST!!! Of course, she will need to practice since it is a razor and not electric. The epilators are extremly painful and I've tried several over the years thinking they would get better with new technologies but never found anything I like better than the Intuition. I have gotten my daughter and many friends to switch over and we are all happy with it. Good luck!!
an epilator is awful they make me and my mom break out in horrible rashes and it hurts it rips out your hair!
At 10 you may find that she wants permission to shave, but she may not keep up with it regularly yet. Teacher her to shave with a quality (triple blade) razor and shave cream, but don't be surprised if after a couple weeks she loses interest. She'll become more regular as she gets older.
BTW/ many teens now shave their arms. I don't think it is necessary, but just to know she wouldn't be the only one doing it.
i have tried many many razors and the one i find i love the most is the men's gillette mach 3 or the fusion....they are a bit pricey but STAY AWAY from disposable razors..they are junk! I (knock on wood) have yet to knick myself with it. Women's razors and I just don't get along. They are not as precise and close shaving as a man's razor IMHO!
Good Luck
