AKA:
Depilation.
We're not talking about a haircut. This is about removing unwanted hair from elsewhere.
Why bother?
Why indeed? What's our obsession with the plucked-chicken look? Has Ugly Betty taught us nothing? Several seasons in pipeline apparently - but do remove if you prefer!
OK, OK, I know - summer holidays and swimming galas may require a tidy up.
The problem is, hair is there for a reason. It doesn't like being ripped out. However careful we are, angry red bumps and irritated skin are a hazard.
Hairy Factoid The average man spends five months of his life shaving and only fourteen days kissing. Surely we have better things to do?
How to do it:
Shaving
Probably the most frequently used method.
Advantages: Quick, cheap, (usually) painless
Disadvantages: Stubbly re-growth, scratches, irritation/razor burn
Tips: Use a clean razor every time and plenty of sensitive skin foam. Never do dry. Shave in the direction of the hair growth. Then pat with a cool flannel.
Hair Removal Cream
This contains chemicals which dissolve hair at the roots.
Advantages: Painless, softer re-growth than shaving
Disadvantages: Not the greatest result. Can be messy. May irritate our skin. And have you smelt it?
Tips: Test a small area of skin first. Follow the instructions carefully.
Wax
Hairs are yanked out stuck to a wax strip. A bit like weeding a hairy garden.
It's available for DIY at home in ready-to-use strips or Hot Wax Kits. Or you can get it done in a salon.
Advantages: Good results, slow re-growth
Disadvantages: Pain, cost and the possibility of painful regrowth.
Tips: Read the instructions carefully before you start. Try getting expert at waxing legs before attempting under arms and bikini lines.
Bleaching
Dark hairs are bleached blonde to blend in with fair skin shades. Mostly used for that 'tache issue.
Advantages: no stubble, no razors and no pain
Disadvantages: not great for large areas of hair, or if our skin is a dark shade.
Tips: Go carefully. Dropping blobs on your best jeans leaves a tell-tale mark.
Plucking
Good old fashioned plucking. It's amazing what you can achieve with tweezers, privacy and Friday Night With Jonathon Ross to keep you company.
Advantages: Cheap. Easy. Good for those stubborn little hairs that just won't budge otherwise.
Disadvantages: Even if we get up to plucking one hair a second, most of us have hundreds on each leg. Yawn.
Tips: Don't gouge those in-growing hairs with the tweezers. You'll get spots and scars for your trouble.
Electrolysis
This is an expensive (we're talking hundreds), but permanent method of hair removal.
Advantages: Permanent. Job done.
Disadvantages: It costs. And needs to be done by an expert. Wielding lazers is not for the amateur.
Tips: Find a reputable, recommended salon. Preferably when you're over 18. Our hairs may fade when we're past puberty. Plus then we'll have that Fat Cat salary.
So which to choose?
It depends on:
- Where the hair is : Shaving moustache hair = bad move.
- How much hair: No amount of bleach is going to achieve a Brazilian down below
- Our pain threshold: Waxing is not for the faint hearted.
- Our skin type: Sensitive skins may react badly to creams and waxing.
- Our budget: Who has £20 going begging for a salon treatment?
And remember: Just because our mates are waxers doesn't mean we should be.
Further help and advice
A boy's view on shaving
More info about hair and shaving
Written by Dr Melissa Sayer
Last updated 17th June 2007
Previous article
kara, 14
i have hair on my upper lip and on my cheeks i think its really off putting and i think thats why boys dont like me :(
kelly, 14
I started shaving just before I started secondary school so I was 11 and now I REALLY regret it I have to shave everyday now because otherwise you can see all my hairs because I have dark, thick hairs and it's really annoying!!! And I get loads of dark hairs on my back so I get them waxed! So anyone out there I would advise you to NOT START SHAVING OR WAXING EARLY!!!!!!!!
Tabee, 15
Started shaving my legs about a week after my 13th, I only shave now once a week for p.e and in the summer.. Theres no point if you arn't showing your legs, only uneccisary hassel!
April, 18
I used to get really insecure about having hair on my upper lip and the side of my face by my ears. The thing I found is that it's not really that uncommon, and the only people who notice are the ones who are insecure about it themselves. Unfortunately most high schoolers tend to be insecure, so, if you're confident and someone does mention it, saying 'so?' can actually set a good example for people who are less confident about their bodies.
Ronniie, 17
Shaving is the worst thing you can do to urself ..turns ur skin into a cactus literally ..it is better to wax or use hair removal cream if you have not got sensitive skin ..:)
Jennifer, 37
If you want downstairs smooth, I was told to use #1 antibacterial soap when shaving down there. #2 daily put deodorant in the areas shaved to keep smooth.
Lauraa, 14-15
I think mothers should let their children choose them self when to start removing hair from their bodies. Mothers should always be there to guide them and help them when in doubt but everyone has their own body and as long as their not damaging it i see no problem in someone starting as early as 10, if needs must. I started just after i went to seconary school. Trouble is i used to shave alot when i first started as i thought it was unclean not to but now i can never shave it all properly and it grows back really quickly. So i suggest to anyone starting not to go mad. Only do it when you have to!
gemz, 18
Just one piece of advice girlies--- Never shave your damh toes! no matter wot people say about them!
Becca, 13
I started shaving my legs and underarms when I was 12 but only because I needed to. My mum does my underarms for me cos she doesnt want me to cut myself but I use an electric razor for my legs by myself. My mum shaves inbetween my eyebrows aswell for me because I have a monobrow and I used to get teased for it. I don't get a bikini wax because who cares at my age? Nobody will see it for another few years!
vic, 20
You should leave starting to remove hair to the last possible moment! Once you start and the more and more you do the quicker, the darker and thicker the hair grows back, and you will be shving nearly every 2 or less days before you know it. Its a bad idea to start young!
Shai, 16
I swear by waxing. I first started waxing when I was 12/13 and haven't done anything else since. Yeah it's painful, but you build up a threshold by the third or fourth time and there's nothing beating a good month and a half of smooth legs. It's worth the one off Hassle.Only thing is that yo uhave to plan it around occassions and going out...but it's a small price to pay for looking fabulous!!!xxx
Ruth, 15
I started to want to shave when I was 12, and started when I was 13. At first I was really careful at removing every single hair but now... I can't really be bothered most of the time except for the beach or special occasions.
Bethan, 15
i started to shave my legs just after i started secondery school and i felt a lot better for it but i never realized it would grow back so fast. i now have to shave every day or every other day. its annoying because my friends seem to have smooth legs all the time. i have tried wax strips but it hurt way to much. i didnt start shaving my under arms until the age of 12
steph, 11
i only shave my legs when i really need to which is about once every 2 months. cos my hairs are dark so u can see them more. but i wont be shaving anywhere else for a few years!!
Emma, 12
I started puberty quite early and have hair everywhere - upper lip, monobrow, arms, legs, downstairs, underarms, even stomach. It's so embarassing! I'm really self-concious about it and it gets me down. I'm not allowed to shave, use cream or bleach. I waxed my legs once and they were lovely, but it hurt so much that I don't want to do it again. But I heard from my doctor that once my periods start, my body will gradually become a bit less hairy. So I'm just waiting for that!
jay , 12
ive been having my eyebrows waxed scice i wad 10 and i shave my legs regulary and under my arns scince i was 11 my mum dosent care i also get my binkini line waxed i love my mum shes so supportive that i want to look good i feel sorry for girls whos mum dusnet event let them shave at 14 its shocking
renn, 13
I started shaving when i was about 10 because my legs are like tarantulas if i leave the hair to grow! I'm really hairy and I hate it, I even have to shave my arms!!
Holly, 16
I have never had so much hasstle with shaving unwanted hair. No problem with legs or underarms, but i must have a really sensitive bikini line because i get razor bumps all the time! even from waxing, epilating, everything! And they don't go away for weeks...I don't understand anybody who can get their downstairs looking really smooth and hairlessam i missing out on something?
Carys, 15
I started shaving when I was 9 and my mum allowed me too :) I don't regret starting at that age because it made me feel more confident about my body!
kate, 15
i started shaving when i was 13 underarms and legs and im fine with that. i have just plucked up the courage to use nair hair remover cream on my upper lip, i hate having hair there and im so conscienceous about it.
Zoe, 12
I shave under my arms and my legs sometimes and i have to shave my under my arms at least every 2 days cuz u can literally see the hair if not. i hate hair!
Suzi, 13
i was really embarrased about shaving, as i started to grow hair under my arms when i was 9 :(i didnt shave, but then my frinds noticed and i got really embarrased.I only shave now when i really need to, like when if i go to the beach, or if i have to look all 'prim and proper' haha!Shaving is up to you, only do it when necessary!
Anon., 14
I think everyone is beautiful and should feel comfortable with themselves the way they are, so no-one should feel pressurized into hair removal just because its the 'done thing'!
Elizabeth, 15
I use hair removal cream as I find it the easiest and safest option. The hair grows back smooth and it doesn't take long to do either. It can be messy, but do it carefully and you're alright!
Louise, 13
i have hair growing in many places, i hate it! My friend waxes/shaves, i asked my mum if i could but the answer was a strict NO. I just have to wait...
disha, 16
i started puberty late but now im all messed up. im grwing hair everywhere which is soo embarassing..i am allowed to save my underarms and legs and thread my eyebrows but im not allowed to shave, wax my arm wch i reallly want to doo!
Becky, 15
i want 2 shave my legs but my mum wont let me so i shave them anyway. i think she noticed but didnt say anyting but i feel really bad about lying 2 her.
Rosy, 15
I shave my legs because i find it embarrasing when im doing p.e. BUT i didn't start shaving my underarms till i was 14 n i still dont shave my bikini line!! Wots the point when i never go on holiday anywhere sunny enough to wear a bikini?!!? i do use a razor on my legs (quicker) but i use cream n my underarms cos im frightened of cuttin myself there (n it works better!!)
Beck, 16
It took ages before I was allowed a razor.. and in the end it was my dad who bought it xD Granted by this age they would let me anyway :D
Hailie, 14
Well Lara, it does seem awful when 11 year olds and younger are shaving their legs, but you can't imagine how awful it is being the only Year 6 with hairy legs and never being able to wear a skirt :/
Kirsty, 14
I think it'strue that girls really do start to get paranoid about body hair too young. Shaving at 11??? I'm sory but at that age WHO CARES??? Leg hair is usually so thin and pale no-one even notices unless they're like, actually STARING at your legs. I never cared when I was 11, and neither did my friends. Those hair removal creams react really badly with my skin, so I'm gonna be brave and get a wax for ma holidays :)
Rhiannon, 13
I started using hair removal cream when i was halfway through my first year in secondry,it has worked ever since! long as i dont use too much im ok...but too much irritates and goes all red:(...My mum says im too young to shave and the hair will just come back quickly and bushy and black with the cream it coes back soft same colour but you get more forming, but if you get good reslts its worth it:).
Lola, 12
I started to shave when i was 11 because i got hair under my arms then i decided to shave my legs and i really regreted it!! my advice is to only start shaving when u r older!!
Julia, 14
In my opinion, if the hair is overly visible and you're uncomfortable with it then you should remove it with the method you choose. Some people don't care about hair. Some have blond leg hair that doesn't show as much.
steph, 17
shaving is up to you, but people have thier reasons.
Laura, 15
I started shaving my legs at 11. I think i grew up too fast. Theres no rush. Enjoy being a kid while you can!
Harriet, 15
i shaved my moustache and it grew back really stubbly and it was more noticeable. Luckily my mum took me to have it permanently removed, but i wish i'd never done it in the 1st place. Don't make the same mistake.
callie, 16
it is perfectly normal to remove hair!!! if you have darker hair you tend to shave/wax before your friends but dont worry every girl will one day decide to shave/wax!!!(that is if they want to!!)
alx, 12
wots the problem with shaving ur legs a eleven???? The 1st time i shaved i was 10and 3/4.
Ellie, 13
i have shaved my legs quite a few times and used removal cream but all my mates say thier mums said never to shave, only get waxed but i dont have enough money to get waxed :S
Roseanna, 12
I shave my legs and im proud of it. this website has helped me alot on how to shave and what to use. xx
emma, 10
i shave my legs but my mum helps me incase i cut myself or do it in a way that will hurt me!!!
Rachel, 12
I grew up a lot faster then all of my mates. I started to grow body hair in unusual places. I was nervous, as i didnt no what was right, for my age. I spoke to my mum about my experiances, and she listened, if you are going through something like this, make sure you let someone know, i promise you, if u pick the right person to talk to (normally mum, or a CLOSE FEMAL relative, or friend of the family even.) they will listen.
Lara, 14
I think young girls are starting to remove hair (especially on their legs) to early in life. I've seen 11 year olds shaving their legs!!?
onelife
bodymind_girls_hairremoval