What Is the Normal Age to Start to Shave?

Boys and girls start to grow hair in new locations during puberty, which varies drastically from person to person. Girls usually enter puberty between 8 and 13 years of age while boys start puberty between 10 and 15 years of age.

Significance

During the onset of puberty, many body changes occur in both boys and girls. These changes typically coincide with other secondary sexual characteristics, including growth spurts, voice changes and the development of sexual organs. Shaving new hair is not essential, though many parents will help their child learn to shave new hair in an effort to become comfortable with the changes in their body.

Girls

Underarm Hair in Girls

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Most girls enter puberty before boys 2. This fact is often obvious by physical appearance, as the associated growth spurt will make pre-teen girls appear larger than boys. At the same time, however, the pubescent girl begins to grow hair under her arm and on her legs. These areas are typically the first that the girl will begin to shave, at some point after the onset of puberty.

Boys

Most boys, on average, begin to grow facial hair around the age of 15. Teenage boys typically will begin to shave their face in the years following onset of puberty. Often in the first stages of facial hair growth, the fullness of facial hair will not be complete.

Considerations

Hair Growth During Puberty

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When a child begins to shave, they might experience a skin reaction. Razors can leave skin irritated and dry so it is important to maintain proper cleansing and moisturizing for the shaved areas. Additionally, use of shaving cream or gel will help the child cope with possible adverse skin reactions to shaving. At the beginning, neither boys nor girls usually have to shave every day.

Warning

Parents or other adults should instruct a child how to shave. Also, new hair growth does not always begin directly after puberty begins. If you are concerned that your child has not yet grown puberty-related hair, consult a physician, but remember that every child develops at his own pace.