My Daughter Wants to Start Shaving Her Legs

You seem to know what you are talking about. Why dont you show her how to do it safely? There will be nicks and cuts no matter what. All you can do is explain it your best and physically show her.

I would try an electric shaver first.
Good luck

Hi L.....i have alittle trick that i used for my daughter who is now going on 13 but started shaving sometime last yr because she was uncomfortable with her large amt of hair...have ur daughter (or help her) put baby oil on her skin before shaving..not only does it keep the knicks and cuts to a bare minimum(no pun intended) but her skin will be really soft and smooth and she'll feel great!!! and remind her to shave in one direction (probably ankle to knee) and she can do the same for her armpits...hope this helps!!Make sure the skin is moistened before applying the baby oil

My daughter is 10 and she started shaving last summer. I was hesitant at first but she does have dark fairly thick hair on her legs. I bought a razor at Kohls that can be used wet or dry and no worries about her cutting herself. It is called a Remington Smooth and Silky.

Jen B

Hi L.,

I also have an 11 year old daughter who will be
12 in April. She started asking me for permission
to start shaving her legs last summer and I
finally started letting her about 4 months ago. Her
argument was that all her friends were doing it and her legs were
too hairy ( which was not true at all)
I bought her "Venus" razors, what I have been using for a while.
they are great because they have little soap-like sheilds next to the
blade to guard against scraping the skin.

Hi L., just thought I'd share a little something...I too wanted to shave at age 11 or so and unfortunately I did not feel comfortable asking my mother about it so I did it without her help and I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I don't remember any nicks or cuts but I do remember that I wasn't quire sure what was to be shaved and so I shaved EVERYTHING,legs,armpits and also my arms! lol. Just be glad your daughter is coming to you about this, together you will figure it out I believe an 11 year old girl is very capable of wielding a razor with the proper instruction. Good luck. L.

Oh I can't seem to remember the name of the brand that I started my daughter with...there's one with a thicker handle, white last time I bought one and the blades are wrapped with a thin wire. It worked great for getting use to shaving when she was younger. Sorry I can't be of more help- but maybe someone else responding will know the one I mean.

hi L.,
i have a daugther who is 13 and i bought her an electric razor it gives her a good shave and no potential hazards in cutting herself. it can be used with cream or with out. It is nerelco and it has charger. good luck K.

If you don't teach her, she'll do it on her own and risk cuts and unclean razors. Make it a bonding experience - go to the store together, look at razors, choose a shaving cream for sensitive skin. I agree that the depilatory creams might be too much for young skin. They also require a wait, which many young ladies are too impatient about. The razors today are much better, with several blades and good features for contours. You can get a styptic pencil in the men's shaving area - great for little cuts. Buy one for $2 and it will last 5 years! Once the stuff dries, it is white, so she can wipe it off with a wet washcloth. Teach her not to use creams afterwards - you get those little bumps! I found that baby lotion is the most soothing. Also do not let her shave her bikini line, if she asks - explain that it is very uncomfortable when it grows in. Explain that the razor is for her legs and underarms. Teach her to replace blades on schedule, that dull blades cause more cuts and irritation. Put up a calendar if necessary and mark when blades should be changed. Also explain about proper disposal of old blades, and about rinsing thoroughly after each shave. Good hygiene and caring about her body are important values, and this is a good time to start working on those. Also make sure she doesn't boast about shaving or critique other girls who don't shave yet, or who may choose never to do it.

Something "small" like talking about shaving or panty hose is a good start for talking about bras and menstruation and sex and all those good things to come!

Good luck!

What I use mostly now during the winter seasons is that I just use my husbands electric shaver. It doesn't work as great as a razor but it does the job. Maybe a better option for her may be a womans electric shaver. That way you don't have to worry about serious cuts. When I started I went to a friends and we were getting ready for a pool party. Of course as girls get talking I wasn't paying close attention and sliced the bottom of my leg real good. Luckily her Mom was a nurse and was able to take care of it..no scar left. So I agree that a razor just isn't the first thing to start out with. This may be a better option you all feel good about.

Hi,

My oldest who is 15 started shaving her legs at 12. We made a big deal out of it, going and buying all she needed together. I explained how dangerous this could be and how adult it was. The first few times she shaved on the edge of the tub while I watched and instructed. My daughter has since done very well with shaving. Good luck to you

My sister let my neice use an electric razor to start with and she is only 9. She had to because my neice is really hairy. I hope this helps. You know that if you don't allow her to she'll do what we did and do it behind your back. Try the electric razor, you can get them at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. The hair doesn't grow back as fast either.

Hi L.,

I remember my mother getting me an electric razor as a young woman. Just remember to keep the charger plugged in far away from water sources to avoid any electrocution concerns. These electric razors are very effective particularily with the early "downy" soft hair very young woman have. Best Wishes!

J. L.

hi L., ahh yes I remember that horrible time when i had to fight with my mother to shave my legs! UGH! I am glad to hear you are okay with it being a girl at that age is hard enough. How about waxing. That is what my mom did with me.. It was great you only have to go every so often and once you get settled into waxing it can last up to 2-3 months?? I still do it!

I believe Wal-Mart still sells elecric razors for women. Maybe that would be a good alternative. Just make sure that it would be used far away from water.

Good luck.

I agree with an electric razor for starters. That's how I started, and that's probably how I'll start my girls (although I have a LONG while to worry about that; they're 5 and 3). I believe that they have electric razors especially made now that work in water...although I'm not sure.

I would suggest the Intuition razor. It has a "bar" of moisturizer around the razor and is pretty foolproof. As long as she makes long strokes up and down her legs, she will be fineand no need to mess around with shaving cream.

I have a 14 year old daughter who wanted to start shaving when she was 11. We started off with the kit where you put the cream on and waited like 10 min and used a plastic razor to wipe it off. It was not successful at all. There are 2 razors that we found worked pretty good to keep you from cutting yourself. One was the intuition (with the block of shaving cream around the outer edge) and the other one is made by Schick I believe. The secong one has metal wire wrapped around the razor. These both were pretty successful. Let her know that the more moist her skin is the easier it will be to shave due to the skin being more soft, so tell her to try to shave at the end of the shower before she gets out. Good luck, but remember they are still going to have accidents and there is not much we can do to stop that.

Hey - I have a daughter with special needs, and I have started using the 'Intuition' razor. It has a shaving cream bar around the razor, thus making a safe and easy way to shave. It is carried in CVS, Walgreens, etc. A little pricey, but if you catch it on sale, and gives you peace of mind, it is justifiable! I also use it when I travel, easier to use the combo than take separate razor and cream.
A.

When I was in 5th grade (age 10, with very hairy legs), my mom got me an electric razor so I wouldn't cut myself. I used it until I was in high school and wanted a closer shave. Never a cut - I don't even think it was possible to cut myself with that razor. Good luck.

Maybe you can try her starting with an electric razor- they're safer and may work well enough to start out with and get her used to the shaving thing.
Also- we started on single non-flex razors(i'm 35)-
now- the razors are sooo much better- with the quad blade and I think maybe a 5blade now razor-
I use the women's quad- and always cut my sensitive legs before having it-
it runs smoother and is flexible- so there's not as much chance of cutting-
those are my suggestions and thoughts- I didn't even know about the safety razors- so it's something I would check into- I have a 10yr old girl- so next year I'll be in this situation. But without the safety razor- the electric razor start sounds good and then just having the best quality multi-blade and maybe have her try shaving a peach or kiwi or something first some to get a feel for it and let her watch you shaving your legs a few times etc.

Maybe you could start her with an electric razor, no chance of getting cut and she would still be shaving. I started with an electric razor and when I was a little older went to disposable, when I was in my 20's I had a wet/dry electric that you could use in the shower that was nice also. Just a thought. Good luck.

My mom gave me an electric razor in 6th grade when I started asking. I think that's the safe way to go.

I recommend the Venus razor too. I think it would be a great bonding experience, even if you have to walk her through it the first few times. Shave your legs together and then go get a pedicure! I can't wait to start doing stuff like that with my daughter.

I can remember finding a razor and trying shaving on my own. Nobody told me about shaving cream OUCH!

I started with an electric razor when I was young. It worked great, and no bleeding, ever.

Hello! Wow, I remember shaving for the first time. I think I was about that age too! Give or take a year. In my opinion, Get her the Intuition razor (the razor fully surrounded by that soap bar thing). It's great & I've never been cut on them EVER!! AND you don't have to buy shaving cream for it either (unless she wants it) & hang with her on her first few tries (just have her wear a bathingsuit while you're there). Tell her to go slow & show her YOUR scars & let her know that there's a proper way to do it & that you wish someone took the time to show YOU how to do it the right way the first time around. I've never heard of safety razors - so I have no idea on advice for THAT. But I do know that if she's taught properly, at 11/12 yrs old she should be all set. Explain it's a 'big deal' b/c she's growing up & it's yet another responsibility (personal hygene) and so on. But also let her know that you're excited that she's becoming a young lady & that you want to help her along the way. Be her friend (ofcourse, first & foremost you're her mother, but my mom & I are insanely close & I consider her my mother ... but very much my best friend as well & although it's a tough line to straddle: mom & friend - it's a great place to be with your daughter.) and let her know you're there for her. Let her have fun picking out a shaving gel if she gets a regular razor (I also like Venus) & maybe an exfoliant or body wash or even a nice smelling lotion for afterwards to keep her legs soft (might as well teach her all the tricks now!). Make it fun & she'll be more apt to let you 'talk her through it' without all the "yea ok mom! i got it!". Good luck, Have fun & enjoy! God bless!

Hi L.
Have you considered an electric shaver for your daughter? I don't have girls, but thats how I started out when I was that age. Eventually my mother introduced me to razers. But I didn't have one when I first started.

I have a daughter in the same situation. She doesn't even want to wear dresses/skirts or shorts until she can shave. I gave her a Venus razor for her armpits. She has been doing quite well with that. I have been quite happy using my own Venus razor. The knicks only happen when the razor gets dull.

I am going to "have a class" with her come summer swimming time. I plan on us wearing our swim suits and showing her how to do shave her legs properly. I don't use shaving cream but I plan to have her use it, at least for a while. I feel she will take a little more time and do a proper job that way.
Good Luck.

The Schick Silk Effects razor is a good one to use. It has the wire around the blades so you don't really cut yourself (once in w hile if your not careful around the knee area you can still cut yourself, but only a little nick). I've used these for a really long time and like them a lot.

My mother started me with an electric razor. Good luck.

I got my daughter an electric razor when she started. When she was ready to change, she did it at her choice.

good luck!

There are safety razors out there. I used them while I was pregnant and on blood thinners. For the life of me I can't remember the name of them (maybe because it is early right now and I haven't had my coffee yet). I will try to remember the name.It was one of those razors that the top razor part comes off from the handle. I used to buy them at regular stores even in bulk at BJs. They had the little wire that went around the razor part to prevent you from getting cuts. Worked great. I will get back to you when I think of the name!

Let Her, its time and before i was asked by my then 5th grader she had already done it at a friends house and cut her leg pretty bad.
Its better for you to show her the proper way then have her get hurt doing it with her friends.
There are alot of products and shavers on the market that are not like the prehistoric ones we had.

good luck to you

My daughter uses an electric razor. She began shaving at the end of 6th grade. With an electric razor, we take cutting herself out of the equation!

What do you think about an electric razor?