When Should Girls Start Shaving?

Shortly after school was out for the summer, my fresh new 7th-grader-to-be stopped me in my tracks by asking … “When should girls start shaving?”

I was totally unprepared for that.

We’ve been through the health discussions and the birds and the bees. But … shaving? Whoa.

When should girls start shaving?

I had no idea when girls start shaving. I certainly don’t remember such a spectacular moment when my baby fine leg hair went to smooth skin, only to be followed with needle-like stubble (“Wait, it grows back?! I have to keep this routine up for the rest of my life?!”).

Ten? Twelve? Not until they’re a teen? Then there are some that may never shave, which is okay, too!

I asked a few friends how old their daughters were when they started shaving, and just as expected, the answers varied. But the common thread seemed to be not to rush it, and to wait for your daughter to ask about it.

So that’s where we are: My tween made The Ask.

While she’s still at home with me, before heading back to school, I will – {shudder} – teach my tween how to start shaving her legs.

I don’t know why I’m hesitant. Because I don’t want her to feel the burn of knicking herself? Maybe. But I think more likely is it’s a sign my girl is slowly growing up, and I just want to put those brakes on.

Shaving Tips for Fresh Learners

Shaving products have come a long way since I first learned how to shave. Razors are much less likely to knick your skin, they even have a few more bells and whistles, and it can be a daunting task facing the razor aisle.

I shared these 5 tips with my tween to help her learn how to shave:

Always shave when your legs have been soaking for a few minutes, when your skin and hair has softened a bit.
Try to exfoliate before shaving, this also helps to prevent knicks because exfoliating removes the dead surface skin cells, leaving just your natural healthy skin. Exfoliating can be done with a good microfiber cloth.
If you’ve exfoliated, there may not be a need to use shaving cream to help the razor glide effortlessly. But if you choose to, look for one with aloe and other moisturizing ingredients.
Use a good quality razor. We picked up the Gillette Venus Sensitive from Walmart to try for my tween’s first time shaving. Gillette recommends using a new blade (or new razor, if they are disposable, like the one we’re using) every 5-10 shaves. Dull razors may cause more knicks.
After shaving, moisturize those soft, silky legs!

If there were a #6 tip, it would unfortunately be, “Repeat when your leg hair starts getting prickly.”

Those of you with tween/teen daughters, do you remember having the ‘shaving’ conversation with your daughter? Did it make you cringe that she was old enough, or am I the only sap that wants to put on the brakes?

Would love to read your tips!