11 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Girls entering adolescence are often moody & defensive about their personal hygiene. This should not scare a concerned parent into silence. Your daughter's skin is a fragile organ & improper shaving technique leads to nicks & cuts. Open wounds make her vulnerable to infections & potential scarring.

The best time to approach her would be when the two of you are relaxed & enjoying each other's company. This could be after a trip to the mall or while doing household chores together.

How should the subject be brought up? I suggest it be done in the most casual manner possible. You could simply say something like," You know, I have been meaning to talk to you about the best way to shave. Do you mind if I tell you what works for me?". Or, you could prompt her desire to know. Next time you are watching television & an actress is baring some skin, just mention that she has really nice, smooth looking legs.You can then explain that, of course, lighting & makeup make her legs look unrealistically perfect. Next, you can tell your daughter that you do know a few tricks to a nice smooth shave & if she wants to talk about it after the show, you will be on the porch with milk & cookies & afterward, the two of you can go to the drug store for shaving products.

The basic steps to cover with her are listed below:

Clean- It is important that her skin is clean & that her razor is fresh, too.

Condition- Skin should be well ex-foliated & evenly moisturized for a closer, smoother shave.

Prep- Skin needs to be warm so hair will not catch & wet so the razor can move fluidly.

Lather- Use a foam or gel specifically for shaving so hair will be lifted to meet the
blade.

Shave- Shave using straight, even strokes, taking care to not nick kneecaps. Avoid
shaving sores or blemishes until they are well healed.

Test- Run a hand over the area shaved to be sure you haven't missed a spot or cut
yourself.

Treat- Use a disinfectant like peroxide or iodine immediately if a cut occurs.

Pamper- Treat your smooth skin to a liberal dose of body lotion. This will keep you
smoother longer & keep scraped skin from looking ashy.

When you are finished going over the basics, explain to your daughter that while shaving correctly is time consuming, it should be enjoyed for the feminine ritual that it is. After all, taking a few minutes to take care of your skin should be just as fun & rewarding as trying a new shade of lip gloss or trying on new clothes.

When the talk is over & all questions are answered, keep the doors open by going to the drug store, or better, the health food store. There, you can talk about products & look at the ingredients & decide on the best items to get her started.

At this time in her life, your daughter may feel overwhelmed by all the new demands her body requires. Any time you can share being women together & celebrate these rights of passage, instead of making them into burdens, is time well spent. When she grows up, she will look back on her middle years as a time when she began to appreciate how terrific being a woman really is.

Learn more about this author, Lee Shay.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Tips on teaching your teen girl to shave?
We want to hear your view. Write now!