At What Age Is It OK to Start Shaving for Little Girls?

I can't believe that 7 yr olds are asking her when she's going to start shaving! I think she's way too young to start this. Most of my friends and I started around 6th grade, and I remember all the times my mom had to put a styptic pencil on my cuts. It's none of my business, but please don't give in to pressure and let your daughter be a kid. Kids don't shave, they don't even think about it. And if you're saying to yourself "She doesn't know how dark it is", I'm Puerto Rican. I've got dark arm hair, dark facial hair, dark leg hair, but the 25% German in me gave me fair skin. Sorry to go off, but I get very sensitive about this. Nobody lets their kids be little anymore, after age 6 they all have to turn into UFC fighters or major pop stars with all the hoochie mama accessories.

1 mom found this helpful

I'm Italian and Greek so I know all too well about your DD's hair troubles. I don't remember getting teased though, it's a shame how mean kids can be. I was in 6th grade when I started (though young, I started school early so I was only 11 at the time), my mom used my dads trimmer I believe, nothing with a blade. Definately do not use Nair. Some skin is very sensitive to it to begin with and she could end up with scabs, bleeding, rash.... lots of things you don't want, and TBH, when my legs get bad now, it doesn't work anyway. I think you're right to wait, or ask a doctor about when a good time is.

My daughter is 11 and in 5th grade. She started shaving under her arms last year since she is a swimmer (it was very necessary). Then she started shaving her legs in September. I waited as long as I could & got her pediatrician's approval.

A. D

I've never had the problem, but here's my two cents. If I were you I would let her try it with whatever works, and see how it goes. One less thing to worry about, like teasing from others, is all the better. Life has enough stresses in itself. Hairy legs and/or underarms is one you can do something about. At least it will grow back. It's not a permanent decision, like,say, a tattoo (the real kind).

No Nair! I really think it depends on the severity of the hair color/thickness. I myself am german, and I have Black hair. I was 11 when my mother allowed me to shave. I think that was a good idea, although my sister was 10. I know a neighbor girl who is 9, and not allowed to shave yet.

I have a 7 year old that wants to shave because the kdis make fun of her because of her dark hair on her legs. I think she is too young to shave so i asked teh dr if it is ok to use nair and he said no taht she is too young to shave or use anything so? I guess she will have to wait. Ask her Dr. what he/she thinks about the nair.
Jade

My rule was/is middle school (6th grade). I think they are way to young at 8. I am pretty sure most girls remember the teasing and waiting until they were allowed. My sisters, friends and i laugh about it today.

I think my daughter was in fourth grade - maybe third - I thought maybe she was a little young, but she really nagged, and I knew it was important to her. I bought her an electric shaver for Christmas - I figured even if she was young, it was safe!

Kids are starting younger and younger these years. I was well into middle school before I even thought of shaving my legs. I see so many young girls that have the dark color hair and I look at it as that it is there culture. Not sure, but the girls that are doing the teasing are more then likely to have the mom's at home that do the makeup thing and have to look a certain way.

Talk to you daughter, let her know that it is ok. That everyone does shaving and things like that at different times and that there are some people out there that don't shave at all. I had a roommate that didn't shave, because that is how she felt or what she believed in.

My daughter is now 9 and has been asking for the past 2 summers. I haven't given in yet but was thinking possibly this coming summer I would do it FOR HER!!! Good luck with whatever you do but now it's cold so that should buy you some time. I know it has here, she hasn't asked since they've been in long pants. 8)

K.,
I went had the same question this time last year. My daughter is now 11 and had really hairy legs. I think I was more concerned than she was. I waited until summer and then the subject just happened to come out. She wanted to and I said yes. We went out and bought razors just for her. She has done well. The novelity wore off and she does not do it that often. I would wait and see if she says something. I think starting it at the transition is a perfect idea but keep in mind that a lot of changes happen then. My daughter just started middle school(6th grade)and it was a big transition and a lot to keep track of. But it was a time where she did start thinking about how she looks where she never did before. Good luck. YOu know your daughter and you will do what is best.
J.

Hmmm...I am blonde & my girls are too so I won't come to this issue for a while.

I know my mom started me on Nair rather than shaving. I think I will go this route too. No razors in their hands, it stinks but...just for a few minutes & then the hair is gone. There is also that newer stuff that works w/ a plastic "razor" w/ no blades that scrapes off the cream from the leg.

If the kids are saying something, then I would probably start considering it when the weather gets warmer. Hate that it is that way but kids can be cruel & if there is an easy way to address the concern w/o having to go to shaving, I think that is a reasonable thing to do.

She has darker hair on her legs because she has darker hair on her head. Shaving should be done when she hits puberty and NEEDS to shave. She should be growing hair in "other places" too, like her underarms. Once she NEEDS to shave that, then the legs should be done. I would wait till it needs to be done.
I think that you should have a talk with her to raise her self esteem. She is way to young to be responsible to shave. You should just make her feel like it is ok. Some people have darker hair than others.
When it is time for her to shave, I would definitely steer clear of Nair as most mothers have already suggetsed.

Hi K., It really is up to you. In our house our girls didn't start shaving until the summer between 6th and 7th grades (for us our girls are just over 12 at that time). I will admit that this is driving our youngest daughter nuts. She has been begging to shave since our middle one started! But then she always wants to do what her two older sisters are doing. Isn't it silly that at age 8 they even have to think about stuff like this? Why can't our kids just be kids...playing with dolls, riding bikes and having fun just a bit longer? Best wishes.

I've never known anyone who allowed their girls to start shaving until they started Junior High/Middle School, which is 6th/7th grade. It sounds like your daughter may have accessive hair growth so you may want to play it by ear. The thing to think about is once she starts, she can't stop. And she needs to be mature enough to be able to shave herself without mistakes or complaints. Whenever you think she is mature enough to deal with the daily routine, or near daily, then give it a shot but you can't go back. Kids will say things. Girls are conditioned by the media (TV, magazines) to have their bodies be a certain way. They'll start commenting at a young age and will even ask a 3 year old when they're going to shave because they may have hair on their legs. It's the nature of the beast these days.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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I am a mother of 3 teenage girls & grew up in a family with 4 girls. I have always told my daughters age 12. That's usually when they are responsible enough to shave by theirselves.

IMO, it is okay to start shaving or using Nair, VEET, Etc.
It is terrible to be made fun of and this is such a simple way to halt the comments by the other kids. If shaving will help with her self esteem, then go for it!!

i was on swim team and starting shaving around 11 years old. another thing you can do if you are worried about her shaving her legs is to use nair or veet. remind her once she starts shaving she can not stop and the hair will come in stubbly and scratchy. tell her not to worry about the other kids and what they say.