Suggestions for dd10

**mommy4ever** · 09-19-2007, 02:51 PM

I have a wonderful 10 yo girl. She's self confident, outgoing, sweet natured and a very pretty child. Dark curls and hazel eyes that lean to more green.

I hate to add a but, because she's wonderful regardless, but since birth, she's had an issue with hair. Initially her hairline ended and started at her eyebrows. She was covered with hair. No she wasn't early, she was late and 9lbs 5 oz. By no mean preemie..lol. That is what is commonly asked. And it was black. Now her face lost that hair, her tummy, her arms are finely covered, which is fine. Her back is still fairly heavy with hair, but borderline. However her LEGS. OMG in the last few months is has gotten THICK, she rivals her dad for hairy legs, it is pretty nasty when she's wet. DH has concerns as she likes to wear skirts and when it's warm she likes her shorts. So far she's oblivious to it, she's aware she has more hair than other girls, and no one has made fun of her yet...He's worried that soon other kids will notice and start picking on her. And it's a reality, it will, sooner or later. He wants me to do something about it. Obviously waxing a 10yo is out, she has NO pain tolerance, and it seems cruel to inflict that on her. I'm reluctant to shaver her legs. What about Neat or similar products? Any suggestions?

**boogiemum** · 09-19-2007, 02:57 PM

my 10 yo SD is extremely hairy too. Her back especially, but her legs are getting thick too. We have decided to hold off as long as we can, but when we do take the plunge to let her start shaving her legs, will be starting with an electric shaver. Most are really easy and relatively a lot safer than chemicals and a razor blade.

**YankeeMom** · 09-19-2007, 03:47 PM

I would wait until she has a problem with her hairy legs. I wouldn't want to give her a complex by saying "hey, you know you really should shave those". I would let her decide when it's time. If it's not causing her any issues, I wouldn't bother with it right now.

Kids grow up so fast these days, I am more apt to let them take their time than to rush things along for the sake of appearances.

**DAAC3DEC** · 09-19-2007, 03:52 PM

ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS IS JUST LIKE WHAT YOU DESCRIBED, SHE IS 11 AND NOW SHAVES......SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE FELT THAT SHE SHOULD, I DIDN'T BRING IT UP TO HER---I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE HER SELF CONCIOUS---SHE ONLY SHAVES ABOUT TWICE A MONTH..........

**ktsmama** · 09-19-2007, 04:16 PM

My DD10 has really started noticing how hairy her legs in the past few months. I told her that since it was about to get cold and she would be wearing tights or pants that I would let her shave them when next summer gets here or if she starts her period. Whichever comes first (hopefully summer!!).

**mommy4ever** · 09-19-2007, 04:33 PM

She is noticing them. But hasn't fretted too much yet as no one else has mentioned it. Her younger sister has the unibrow that really bothers her, and we told her that when she's older we'll deal with it. dd10 asked about her too. So I'mjust exploring options because it's just a matter of time before some one makes fun.

**pkellyc** · 09-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Try an electric razor. That is what my DD's started with. It cuts the hair but not all that closely so there is no fear of cutting her skin.

**Jaded** · 09-19-2007, 05:57 PM

This sounds like a hormone imbalance to me. She may have too much testosterone. I'd take her to an endocrinologist and have her tested.

**nodmicks** · 09-19-2007, 05:58 PM

My I have a young family member with the same problem. She uses Veet.

**frugalfriend** · 09-21-2007, 11:31 AM

One day a few weeks ago my dd, only 8!, was complaining about her hairy legs and didn't want to wear shorts any more. I told her that they looked fine and not to worry about it, but she started crying and carrying on about how embarassed she was. She had already snuck a disposable razor once before awhile back, and tried to shave her legs and cut herself pretty bad.
So, I decided to go ahead and gently shave just the front of her legs, since the back you really couldn't notice any hair. She was so relieved and hasn't asked me since, and now happily wears her shorts! I really didn't want to do it so young, but if it makes her feel that much better, then it was worth it!

**Athena31** · 09-22-2007, 07:49 PM

I let my soon to be 12 YO use Nair and Veet this summer she she was not liking the (regular) amount of hair on her legs and armpits. After trying both products we found the Veet to be the better on as it has a plastic "shaver" (looks like a razor but all plastic no blade) that really helps and the smell is less strong. Three have been to horrific accidents like cutting herself and she is happy to do it once a once on her legs and then about every two weeks for the pits. It has worked out well. They just grow up too fast though!

**pita1213** · 09-27-2007, 02:18 PM

if there's nothing wrong hormonally, i'd try an electric razor like other have suggested. i'd wait till she's older before using veet or nair. though if you do decide to use a chemical remover, veet seems to be easier on my skin than nair was and it's easier to take off witht he scraper.
but i think it would be less of a mess to use an electric razor.

**annymoll** · 09-28-2007, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

I would wait until she has a problem with her hairy legs. I wouldn't want to give her a complex by saying "hey, you know you really should shave those". I would let her decide when it's time. If it's not causing her any issues, I wouldn't bother with it right now.

Kids grow up so fast these days, I am more apt to let them take their time than to rush things along for the sake of appearances.

I agree .Why make an issue of something that is not bothering the child?She will approach you when the time is right.

**justpeachy92** · 09-28-2007, 01:36 PM

I agree with the not bringing it up to her. I have 2 girls that have hair just like you described, their back hair was so bad when they were born I had a hard time not brushing it when I was brushing the head hair. My oldest dd asked around age 11 to start shaving and I let her. My middle dd started at age 7, her leg hair was the worst and she came home crying because older girls at her school were picking on her. The school they went to then went from K4 to 8th grade. Because of her age we did try the nair stuff before letting her use a razor, the nair didn't take any of the hair off....thinking it wasn't meant for thick hair.

**mylittle4** · 09-28-2007, 02:27 PM

I have 2 girls that have reached puberty and shave their legs, ages 14 and 12. I would just explain and show her how to shave and let her know when she is ready she can do it. It may be bothering her and she is not letting on. By letting her know she can shave when she is ready will let you in on how she truly feels about it. At 10 years old she is starting to see her body change slightly and is probably close to the talk anyway. No matter what you decide good luck and try to remember that you know her best and your decision will probably be the best for her.