MOOKS: Shaving?

[circa1978]

So, I'm Sicilian-American and not only are we a hairy people but we also tend toward an earlier puberty. (Women in my family get their periods at 9/10).

DS obviously only has half my genetics but he got the hairy ones, LOL. He's had a unibrow for some time but he's blond so it doesn't really show up. Over the past few months, he's started to get a darker peach fuzz mustache that is getting obvious. If it bothers him, can I/should I shave it? When did your boys start to shave? (I would think real shaving is probably going to be closer to 12 or 13 for him, based on my brother.)

[Deleted]

My DS is 12 and just starting to get a peach fuzz mustache. It's noticeable to me, but he doesn't seem to care so I'm not pushing it. When it does get to the point of bothering him, it will depend on how thick it is. I'm thinking that we'll probably start off with a little trimmer type of thing and likely won't end up full on shaving until he starts getting hair on the rest of his face. I don't know how old your DS is, but I'd probably take his lead on this. I honestly don't really think that age matters as much as his personal comfort level.

[cmeon]

DS is 13yo this summer, he started shaving his mustache fuzz early this year, when it got a little darker. We just used an electric shaver, H helped him the first few times, he handles it himself now- a few times a month (not even every week, but, close).

ETA: I asked him if it bothered him (it was a relevant question at the time- LOL- not out of the blue) and he said yes, so I asked if he wanted to try shaving it off. I am strongly supportive of letting kids handle body/facial hair the way they want to, when they want to. Just make sure they know what upkeep takes, give them the right tools and show them how to do it safely.

[circa1978]

Sorry, he's 9. I realize how super young that is/seems but it's not unusual in my family. I think my brother had a full-on beard by 14.

[anonymous]

My DD started using flawless (electric razor) on her legs at 9 In the summer. She had dark hair and it made her self conscious. She doesn’t do it all the time and not at all in winter, ha. This year at 10 she had some real long armpit hair. So she just shaved her underarms for the first time bc she was wearing sleeveless. I figure she’ll remove the hair eventually so why not do it now when it bothers her and makes her self conscious

[cjcouple]

My 13yo hadn't started yet. He is a red head and very light so it hasn't been an issue yet. Many of his classmates are a bit "wild", so you could wait if its not bothering him. Truthfully, boys don't care what others are doing. lol

If it is bugging him, I wouldnt hesitate to allow it. IMO self image is a lot more important than waiting for some arbitrary age.



ETA: Actually my son does have his unibrow shaved with his hair cut. He doesn't do it but he asks the stylist too. lol. Started around 12

[penguingrrl]

My daughters both started shaving at 9. My younger one was 8 when she said she had stopped raising her hand at school in a sleeveless shirt because she had hair in her armpits and was embarrassed by it. That night Ingave her a lesson in shaving.

[georgeglass]

My son started with an electric razor for peach fuzz. Much easier - and less scary - for him.

[mysteriouswife]

DD also has my very thick dark hair. She uses an electric razor and started at 10. I know that’s not the same as a boy.

[circa1978]

This is super helpful, guys. I didn't even think of an electric shaver, duh. And I'm glad it's not crazy to think 9/10 is OK to start.

[staceymcgill]

My blonde 12 year old boy is getting hair above his lip - and it’s darker than his hair. It doesn’t bother him yet so he’s not shaving it but I’ll let him when he’s ready.

[cajunmom]

I mean, I wouldn't shave it FOR him but would definitely show him how as soon as he wants to. My daughters had no trouble handling razors at 9.

[mommin]

An electric shaver might be less scary for your son than an actual razor. DS1 (13) started shaving a few months ago. He didn't start because it bothered him but because I couldn't stand when the light would hit just right and you could see 1" long hairs sticking out of his jaw line and off his chin. It was definitely time.
Related, but not- DD1 is 11 and asking about shaving her legs. I'm not overly concerned about that and I think she's asking because of what she has previously heard from other girls at school. Since she won't be seeing anyone this summer I plan to hold off and let her start before next summer.