[LiteraryLark]

This may be a biased poll, but I'd like to know your thoughts. I haven't shaved in almost two years, and I have a few reasons why: One, a guy's opinion on how a girl should groom herself is not his business, two, a girl's opinion on how other girl's groom themselves is also not her business, three, a pack of razors alone cost $10 if you don't buy shaving cream or aftershave and it adds up, four, knicks, rashes, and ingrown hair is irritating to the skin and is not only irritating but dries out the skin, so you'd need to add body lotion to the list of things you need to buy, and five, the ultimate five, I had no reason to shave because I was not comfortable with my body....now that I have lost 20 pounds, there is a sense of pride with my body and I'd like to flaunt it, and even though I did seem confident wearing shorts and dresses with unshaved legs throughout the whole summer, I still felt uncomfortable when people stare, as natural as it to see a woman who does not shave at her age.

The only reason I will shave, however, is because I am proud of my body and I want to flaunt it, and smooth legs will make me feel better and gives the sense of taking care of my "new and improved" body. This was going to be a question of should I or should I not, but at the end of writing this, I decided today will be a spa day for me.

Oh, and I am very excited to have lost 20 pounds! My next goal is another 20 pounds, and then another, and then another, and then I will hit my goal weight which was the weight I was at the day I was admitted to the hospital 5 years ago. All in all I will be losing 96 pounds, but I, and even my coworkers who I've only worked with them for two months, have noticed a difference. I have already dropped two pant sizes!

Good for you!

[Yours_Truly]

Way to go on the weight loss!
Personally, I hate shaving, for all the reasons you've given. I wish it had never been thought of. But I conform to societal standards of what's acceptable because I feel uncomfortable otherwise.
Someone once told me that in New Zealand or Australia it's quite common for women not to shave their underarms.

[Patagonia]

Yes I agree that it makes me feel a bit sexy esp in the summer.
But! If I had no men in my life...I wouldn't do it at all.

[splitimage]

Congratulations on the weight loss.

Personally, I don't do my legs in the winter, because I only wear pants, or long skirts with tights, but I do in the summer, because I'm very hairy with get black hair.

But I don't shave - I buy depilatory cream, for some of the reasons you mentioned you didn't like shaving. Every time I'd try shaving, I'd wind up cutting myself multiple times.

I also use depilatory cream on my underarms.

I find too that with the creams, my hair doesn't grow back as quickly. I can get away with only once weekly hair removal whereas when I shaved, I had to do it at least twice if not 3 times a week.

Thank goodness you meant leg and under arm hair. When I read the thread, I started thinking OMG NO WAY am I ever shaving my lady garden......
Hate razors, have mild psoriasis, so when I use one it looks like I've been gashed with an axe, so I use creams. On my legs and under arms. Just to be clear.
*shudder*

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Little Cat

Thank goodness you meant leg and under arm hair. When I read the thread, I started thinking OMG NO WAY am I ever shaving my lady garden......
Hate razors, have mild psoriasis, so when I use one it looks like I've been gashed with an axe, so I use creams. On my legs and under arms. Just to be clear.
*shudder*

I shave the bikini areas but trim with an electric razor for my betty. I don't like a completely nude betty.

Really used to dislike shaving for the nicks etc so got a home IPL machine, a bit pricey but for me totally worth it.

[Yours_Truly]

What's an IPL machine? Is that like permanent laser hair removal? I would love to have that done.

[SvanThor]

My question for you: what makes you happy? What do YOU want to do?

Originally Posted by Yours_Truly

What's an IPL machine? Is that like permanent laser hair removal? I would love to have that done.

It's not permanent like laser (although laser isn't always permanent either), and they advertise them as 'Permanent hair reduction'. It's basically a hand held unit, sends a flash of 'Intense Pulsed Light' over the area you treat, I can treat both legs in under 30 mins, bikini less than 5.

This light gets absorbed by the hair shaft and within a week or so it sheds, over time and regular treatments the hair doesn't grow back so it's just a case of top up treatments to keep it at bay. I'm told that if you cease treatments it'll come back within a few months though.

I'm happy as there is no regrowth unlike waxing/epilation (used to hate that itchy feeling when the hair pushed through the skin!), and it's a fraction of the cost of laser. Like laser it works best on dark hair/pale skin combos.

[Yours_Truly]

I wonder what the difference is between the two, I mean, is it the laser as opposed to the 'Intense Pulsed Light'? Either one sounds like a better alternative to the other methods.

Originally Posted by Yours_Truly

I wonder what the difference is between the two, I mean, is it the laser as opposed to the 'Intense Pulsed Light'? Either one sounds like a better alternative to the other methods.

The main difference between the two is that the lasers used in professional clinics are much more powerful than a home IPL so they can in theory end the hair growth permanently, whereas home IPL stuns the hair for a while.

The price of laser for whole body treatment would usually be several thousand £, whereas a home IPL is around £300.

I'm definitely happy with the IPL, mine was the Philips Lumea, but I do have the ideal fair skin/dark hair for this method to work.

[PinkPanda87]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

One, a guy's opinion on how a girl should groom herself is not his business, two, a girl's opinion on how other girl's groom themselves is also not her business,

You are 100% correct it is absolutely NOT anyone else's business how you groom your body. If you are comfortable not shaving do not let someone else shame you into it. I will often go out of the house with unshaved legs and feel completely fine with it. I do shave my under arms frequently, because I feel gross when I sweat and it gets trapped in the hair.

Congratulations on your weight loss as well. That can be a very difficult journey to embark on.

[Smileonmyface]

good for you re the weight loss!

i go back and forth on shaving quite a bit. at the moment i have gone over a week without shaving but i am not brave enough to go without pants and sleeves.

the thing about it is even if you decide to shave and it doesn't seem worth the hassle, you can always let it grow back. save it for a special occasion so to speak.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I couldn't care less about my legs lol. My bf hates it. I go about 2-3 wks without. But when it comes to armpits and other bits, I always shave mostly for my own comfort. Stubbly pits are so itchy! As far as razors go, we buy from dollarshaveclub.com. We get a shipment every two months for I believe $8. That's a bargain if you ask me. It comes with a handle and attachable blades so it's good quality

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Trigger warning: possibly offensive language? I recently shaved around my intimate area for the first time. It was only fair as I was receiving my first experience of cunnilingus (can I say that) and I know how annoying it is getting pubic hair in the mouth. If anyone is offended I'm sorry.

I never shave when I am single unless the area will be on show, it's only in a relationship I do but my last partner told me it was my choice so I didn't. We were really more friends though.

Some men think only lesbians don't shave but I know there will be loads that do and I think they would be surprised how many straight women don't. It's a bit old fashioned to have such rigid gender stereotypes.

I hope they don't complain about my post. I am just being honest. Sorry.

[ScientiaOmnisEst]

Where are you buying razors that a pack costs $10?

I recently tried shaving off all my body hair (yes, even that) and I quite like it. Feels...I don't know. But I don't mind the hairless feel.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Everyone needs to go to dollar shave club online. I get cartridges sent to my house for $6 a month and it comes with a razor handle.

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[LovelyChantel]

It's been 2 years about since I have shaved either! My legs or my underarms! I've never met any other female who does this and am laughed at and given disgusted looks. I smile because I'm happy and proud of myself. Also, I stopped shaving the exact same reasons you did!!! So happy right now.

[YOLO Lady]

Over the years, I've had tons of hair lasered off of my body...my entire legs, forearms, underarms, and half of my bikini area. I keep the rest of my bikini area trimmed really short as I don't want ingrown hairs there and I don't want to look like a little girl. It was expensive but I took advantage of some Groupons and I am thrilled with the results! Prior to the laser treatments I would always shave but what a time consuming pain in the neck it was! I would never walk around with hairy legs, but that is just me. And if other women are walking around with hairy legs, it's none of my business and I doubt that I would even notice.

Congrats on the weight loss! I lost more than 30 pounds a few years ago and have managed to keep most of it off. It's an amazing feeling to lose weight where people notice and compliment you left and right. Keep up the good work!

[Alchemy]

Well. if it bother's you stop! and give a middle finger to the rest of the world!
As a well... ehm... someone who likes women it would be gross but I wouldn't care if the person is great in terms of personality! I actually Enjoy shaving my legs and underarms. I mean I hate doing it but feeling my legs smooth is awesome! So I do it and the task is slightly relaxing I have to admit...