Avon Skin So Soft hair lightening gel - used this?

[BucknellAlum]

My 8 yo DD has noticeable hair on her legs, a by-product of some of my genes, unfortunately. It is both long/think and darkish. She hates it and claims that girls at school make fun of it, and she won't wear shorts or even capris to school in the warmer weather now.

We have had talks about body image, and how a real friend won't say mean things about you, but I also recognize how hard it is to look even a little different than your peers. So, while I am not going to allow my 8 year old to shave her legs yet (!), I thought maybe something this Avon product would at least make the hair less noticeable.

Has anyone tried this gel? The website says it makes hair "lighter and less noticeable" but I don't even know if they mean lighter in color or texture. Either would be fine for me, I suppose.

[krhm]

I haven't tried the Avon product, but I love an Jergens' shave minimizer lotion. My hair is light and fine, and after a few weeks of regular use of this stuff, I barely have to shave. It probably won't work as drastically on your daughter, but it might help!

Good luck...kids can be so mean!

[blazedog]

Why on earth wouldn't you allow her to remove the hair on her legs based on an arbitrary age cutoff. It's not as if you are putting her in makeup and heels but just letting her blend in with her peer -- it's hard enough being a kid.

Why don't you have it waxed or even use laser which would give her a head start anyway.

Most women have issues with body hair in our society -- I would put that in a different category than a perfectly normal weight girl thinking she is fat.

[tbb113]

I think for an 8 year old girl, I would use something like Nair. It would remove the hair and you don't need to worry about her getting cut. Then I would follow it up with the Jergens lotion. It worked wonderfully on me and it does minimize the amount of hair and the frequency of shaving (but you have to keep using it!)

[MusicMom]

This happened to my DD at about that age. The dark hair really made her self-conscious, so we used a Nair product every so often to lessen it. It seemed to be the best option for us. My DD started shaving her legs last year at about 11 years old.

[Goin' Coastal]

Society guides that girls/women don't have hairy legs. If it becomes a problem at any age, I'd let my daughter remove it. I grew up in the 60's and even then girls were shaving by 10, so 8 isn't much of a stretch. Starting in 4th grade, we went to a concert where we had to dress up. Most of the girls were allowed to wear hose at this time (with the proper panty girdle, of course! :eek: ); and many were permitted to shave if it looked bad under the hose. One girlfriend had a Mother who thought it inapprropriate to shave above the knes, so Alison always had a "hair line". I don't have many memories of middle school, but I remember this because she hated it and the rest of us thought it really strange of her Mother! Girls are getting their periods younger, so I wouldn't stress about her removing the hair on her legs. Might even make her "cool" - the first one to shave her legs!

[mbrogier]

There are 8 and 9 year olds that are starting to start their menses and wear bras. (I sometimes see girls this age that should be wearing a bra and aren't.) I didn't wear one until way after I should have. I was just a lot younger than my mom was so she just wasn't focused on being ready to deal with me blooming that early.

I'm sure you're thinking "no! my baby's way too young!"

I still remember how long and obvious my leg hairs were when I was little. My dad noticed one night when I was wearing shorts. He asked why I didn't shave, and I said mom said I wasn't old enough. Of course, being a man, that didn't make sense that it was a 'rite of passage'. Mom still didn't want me to "shave" because I'm very accident prone. :rolleyes: I did nair. Get Nair for sensative skin or Neet. The other stuff can cause rashes. My preferred method is SHAVE cream from Trader Joes and the Venus razor (not the vibrating one :rolleyes: :eek: :eek: ). She'll feel better about herself, and people will stop teasing. I can tell you that the teasing can be really bad and cruel.

If she started her period you'd let her take care of that with the appropriate means, I just don't see a difference with this and age. It's just not the same as dealing with body type, chest size, or makeup.

[mbrogier]

I agree with what Goin Coastal said about society. I also seriously cannot stand the way the hairs feel on my legs.

I have been throwing up sick in the hospital with an IV pole, and DH has helped me shave. :rolleyes: Thankfully my nurse understood that you just feel better if you take care of these things. :p

[BucknellAlum]

Well, you've given me a lot to think about. She is definitely nowhere near starting to develop, and I was a very late bloomer, so perhaps she will be too. I don't think shaving is the way to go, as you do have to keep it up and I would worry about her getting cut.

I didn't know if those depilatories could be used on children's skin - I have gotten irritated from facial bleach, so I was reluctant to try chemicals on her skin. At her annual dermatologist visit when I pointed out her body hair discreetly, the doctor whispered, "I am sure they will have even better hair removal methods by the time that's an issue for her!" (I was kinda hoping she would say the puberty hormones would make the hair fall out or something!)

I guess it's just hard for me to picture my DD who spends her time playing dressup and talking to her American Girl doll wanting to shave her legs! She hasn't asked to shave, she just doesn't like the way her legs look.

Perhaps I will start with one of the lotions, either the Avon or Jergens and see how that goes. If that is not enough, we'll look into removal methods.

I still welcome your advice!

[Beth]

I have a 9 yr old son who has more hair on his legs than his nearly 13 yr old brother does. It is very blond, but if it were dark and he were a girl, I'd be for removing it. If the hair is only dark, lightening it may help, but if it is also thick, I would think it is still going to be an issue lighter.

My skin is sensitive, so I understand about depilatories. I also understand the razor and cutting issue. You know your daughter. Age doesn't automatically mean they are going to be any more careful or coordinated. In fact, she will go through periods of being more clumsy and more distracted -- so there could be a plus in starting earlier. (says the mom of a soon to be 13 yr old ;) )

I don't know if it would work for the initial removal of thick hair, but what about getting her an electric razor for continuing until you are more comfortable with her not cutting herself? No chemiclas and no bleeding.

[boisewinesnob]

Well, you've given me a lot to think about. She is definitely nowhere near starting to develop, and I was a very late bloomer, so perhaps she will be too. I don't think shaving is the way to go, as you do have to keep it up and I would worry about her getting cut.


What about getting her an electric razor (the kind men use)? It's almost impossible to cut yourself and I've used DH's a few times if I forgot mine on a trip or whatever.

I agree that if she doesn't like it, you should help her get rid of it. IMO, this is not the same as getting pierced ears or tattoos or any other stuff that kids might want because "everybody else is" .......it's just hair removal and not a big deal.


eta: I just saw that Beth gave the same suggestion ;)

[mackandme]

i'm not a parent and therefore can't see both sides of this, but for what it's worth, my one-sided input:

as a kid/teenager, i was not allowed to shave legs or armpits, or wear a bra. i still remember my horror when a boy at summer camp tried to snap my bra, and there was no bra there! this whole not being able to fit in made me really traumatized and self-conscious. i don't think i got over it until sometime in college.

your daughter did not choose to start growing hair now. i guarantee she wishes even more than you do that she didn't have to deal with this. and she probably would love your help.

[mbrogier]

I have extremely sensitive skin. The sensitive skin nair and the deet work for me. When I had my stroke and was on coumadin, I was told no shaving because of the risk of bleeding. I tried an electric razor. My hair wasn't coarse or thick enough for it to work effectively. Worst waste of $30. I'd try the Veet first. (try a small spot first...) In my experience, the bleaches are more caustic.

I'd want to get rid of the hair, not bleach it. One of the hairiest girls I ever saw was as blonde as she chould be.

[BucknellAlum]

Well, I got some sensitive skin Nair for my daughter, and we did the patch test last night and all seemed well.

Tonight we were going to do the bottom of her legs. I smoothed on the lotion and got ready to set the timer, and in less than 5 seconds she started screaming in pain, "it hurts mommy!!"

I quickly got a washcloth and wiped/rinsed her legs but she continuted to cry. And she is not a whiner generally. She kept wriggling all over the tub and tried to stifle her shrieks. DH brought us icepacks to put on her legs, and now, an hour later, she has started to calm down.

I feel like the worst mom in the world - she was so excited to be rid of the hair, and now she has burning legs and still has the hair.

Do I dare try to use a razor on her tomorrow??

[boisewinesnob]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that it hurt her :(

I would let her try an electric. And I'd let her do it herself. Maybe even let her try it on you (her hand holding it to your leg) in case she's a little freaked out by the nair episode and nervous to try anything. Then she can try a little at a time on her own leg.

[zwieback]

I agree with the electric razor idea. Just make sure your daughter's legs are healed from the Nair burn. I know it is tough and I hope you can find a solution for her but, don't beat yourself up over it. You had no idea that the Nair would react that way, afterall you did do a patch test. Good luck!