When should your daughter start shaving?

And does she need to remove body hair?

Quick summary

• There’s no recommended age to start shaving – it depends on your daughter’s comfort and readiness
• If your daughter is curious, you can help by having an open conversation and reinforcing that shaving is a choice, not an expectation
• Support her with safe, practical advice if she wants to shave – and reassurance that not shaving is just as valid

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At luna, we get thousands of questions from teens about shaving.

Not just how to do it, but whether they should, when to start, and how to even bring it up with a parent. 

These questions spike especially during the summer months, or around events like holidays, swimming, or school PE lessons that involve shorts or swimwear.

This doctor-approved guide is here to support you in navigating those questions by offering practical advice and myth-busting facts.

Is there a recommended age to start shaving?

There’s no officially recommended age to start shaving. 

It’s about personal readiness – not a milestone. 

Many girls start shaving between 11 and 14, but some earlier, some later, and some not at all.

It’s usually done in line with puberty changes – when body hair starts to become more visible.

Shaving might start just with legs or armpits and progress to the bikini line (for example in the summer or if they are a regular swimmer).

It’s helpful to consider:

• Is she feeling self-conscious or just curious?
• Has she mentioned body hair, shaving, or what friends are doing?
• Is she emotionally and physically ready to use a razor?

And above all – does she know she doesn’t have to shave at all?

Should you let your daughter shave?

Yes – if she wants to and is ready. 

There’s no harm in letting your daughter shave as long as she understands how to do it safely. 

It’s not a hygiene requirement or rite of passage but instead it’s a personal choice.

It’s also important to let her know:

• Body hair is normal and healthy
• Shaving isn’t a rule for being ‘grown up’
• She can decide if, when, and how to remove hair, or not at all

Are there other options besides shaving for teens?

Yes. Shaving is just one of many ways to manage body hair, and not the only “right” one.

Other options include:

• Hair removal creams – easy to use but can irritate skin
• Waxing – longer-lasting but more painful, and best done by professionals
• Sugaring or threading – often used for facial hair
• Trimming – using a special hair trimmer to shorten, not entirely remove hair
• Laser hair removal – more permanent, but not typically recommended for young teens

And of course, many people simply choose not to remove body hair at all which is 100% valid.

What are some common myths about shaving and are they true?

Many teens are still influenced by long-standing myths around body hair. 

In a luna poll of over 2,300 girls, these were the top two misconceptions:

• “Shaving makes hair grow back darker or thicker” ❌ False
• “It’s unhygienic not to shave” ❌ False

These myths often cause more stress than the hair itself, which is why talking about them matters.

Does hair grow back darker after shaving?

No. 

Shaving doesn’t change the colour or thickness of hair. 

It cuts the hair at skin level, leaving a blunt tip, which can look darker or feel coarser as it grows out, but it hasn’t actually changed.

Is it unhygienic not to shave?

No. Body hair is not unhygienic. 

Like any other part of the body, hair just needs regular washing. 

In fact, hair helps protect the skin and can support the body’s natural defences, like keeping dust away or reducing friction.

Why is body hair still a confidence issue for teens?

In a luna poll of over 2,500 teen girls, just over 1 in 5 (22%) said visible body hair was their top summer body image worry – more than pressure to diet, compare, or wear certain clothes.

This shows that body hair, while entirely normal, continues to be heavily stigmatised, often shaped by:

• Peer pressure and school culture: especially during PE, swimming, or warm weather uniform days
• Social media trends: that promote hairless bodies as the default
• Outdated beauty ideals: that frame body hair as “unfeminine” or “unhygienic”

For many teens, the worry isn’t just about hair itself. It’s about being judged, singled out, or teased for something natural.

This fear can lead to embarrassment, secrecy, or feeling like they need to start shaving before they’re ready.

The good news?

Open, shame-free conversations at home can make a real difference.

When your daughter knows her choices are supported – whether to shave or not – it might help to reduce the pressure and build up long-term confidence.

How to talk to your daughter about shaving

Shaving might seem like a small issue, but it can represent a much bigger moment for teens figuring out who they are and how they fit in.

Here’s how you might start the conversation:

• “What are your thoughts about body hair?”
• "Is there anything you're worried about going into summer?
• “Did you know you don’t have to shave unless you want to?”

Focus on:

• Curiosity over judgement
• Fact-sharing over fear
• Reinforcing choice and body autonomy

How to teach your daughter to shave

If your daughter decides she wants to shave, you can support her with a calm, practical approach. 

You don’t need to be an expert, but instead just open and reassuring.

Here are a few beginner tips:

• Use a clean razor with a moisture strip
• Apply shaving gel or cream to protect the skin
• Shave gently in the direction of hair growth
• Rinse the blade often
• Moisturise after to soothe the skin

You might also want to watch a video together (you can find tips on the luna app) be nearby the first time, or help her shop for what she needs.

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So: does your daughter need to shave?

No! She never needs to shave. Shaving is entirely optional.

What matters most is that she knows it’s her choice and not something expected of her.

If she wants to try it, it may help to just support her. If she doesn’t, support that too.

What really helps is reminding her that body hair is natural, healthy, and not something to be ashamed of, whether it’s there or not.