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Bikini Waxes Don't 'Sexualize' Tweens (They Just Make Them Less Hairy)

by Deborah Cruz on July 12, 2012 at 8:23 PM

bikini wax ad

Would you allow your tween daughter to get a bikini wax or a waxing in general? One waxing franchise is holding a promotion during the month of July -- 50% off of all waxing services for all girls 15 and younger.

The ad has many moms up in arms since it appears to be for a bikini wax (though it specifically says all waxing services), and they think it sexualizes young girls who aren't yet old enough for such a service.

I call bullshit.

As a woman who was a hairy teen, thanks to my Latina genes and hitting puberty, I wish waxing had been more mainstream when I was 12. I may not have had my boobs but I definitely had hair everywhere and it was a real pain trying to hide it. Tube socks and T-shirts over bathing suits only can do so much.

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In middle school, swimming was mandatory and my life would have been loads more pleasant if I could have gotten a bikini wax rather than trying to not look like I had a chia pet in a headlock when I wore my bathing suit. It was embarrassing and humiliating to a young teenager.

I don’t think waxing sexualizes girls; it simply gives them a safer alternative to shaving. You don't want to know how many chunks I took out of my ankle when I first started shaving my legs. I'd hate to imagine what damage I could have done with a razor in my pubic area at the tender age of 12 or 13.

The one issue I have with the ad is with this language:

During the month of July, girls 15 and undercan enjoy their FIRST waxing experience and find it NATURAL, SAFE and PLEASANT. [emphasis added]

Let’s be honest, waxing is never "pleasant." Natural and safe, yes, but there is no such thing as pleasurable waxing -- only degrees of pain tolerance. You might want to warn your daughters before they take the plunge.

Do you think it's okay for teen girls to wax?

Filed Under: puberty, body, skin

Comments

77
  • Mandago
    --

    Mandago

    July 12, 2012 at 8:34 PM
    I went "bare floor" at fourteen and have never looked back. It wasn't about looking sexy, it was about not having a bush down there catching urine, sweat, and blood. To me it's a hygiene issue.
  • lilias
    -- Nonmember comment from

    lilias

    July 12, 2012 at 8:42 PM
    My high school required a swimming or diving course to graduate. I "exceeded" the confines of my swimsuit and street clothes (including shorts) were not allowed in the water. For me, having been able to wax and be done for months would have been a godsend, and had nothing to do with sexuality. But, I must say, @Mandago, pubic hair is not unhygenic. that's actually its purpose. Do you not bathe?
  • wyote...
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    wyotechangel

    July 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    uh i hate body hair at 13 every thing went and im a blonde with almost nothing and that little had to go! and sure let them they will wax once and most likely wont ask again.


  • Deanna
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Deanna

    July 12, 2012 at 9:27 PM
    I started waxing my chin/neck around 10 or 11. I've never waxed anything but my face and I didn't feel sexy having it done. It was about being a normal girl without facial hair. If I ever had a daughter who had the same issues I did, I would take her to get it done too.
  • Mandago
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    Mandago

    July 12, 2012 at 9:28 PM
    Yes, lilias, I bathe. Unfortunately, you're misinformed. Pubic hair is believed to have two purposes: to act as dry lubrication to prevent chaffing while running, and to maximize surface area for sweat in order to increase the amount of pheromones detected by members of the opposite sex. Since I'm not a long-distance runner, and have no interest in making the scent of my private areas more noticable, I chose to remove that hair.
  • Paige
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Paige

    July 12, 2012 at 9:41 PM
    My 12 year old shaves and can't wait to wax and be DONE with it. She dances four days a week and swims two more, and finds the "dark shadow" embarrassing. I did the same thing when I was her age - for the same reasons - and somehow managed to avoid losing my virginity until 19. Going "bald" didn't precipitate a descent into sluttiness lol.
  • kasey...
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    kaseyvig67

    July 12, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    ^^HAHA^^ I second that Mandago. If a girl feels insecure with her body hair she should have the right to remove it though. When I was a teenager I would shave EVERYTHING! Even my arm, now while I don't shave my arms anymore, I do shave pits, "downthere", and my legs. Wish I could afford the waxing!


  • Emily
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Emily

    July 12, 2012 at 10:00 PM
    I have to say, my favorite part of reading the stir articles is the comments. Some of the stuff that gets argued about is absolutely hilarious. But I think arguing over pubic hair and its intent is the funniest thing I've seen. Either way, my daughter who is 8 1/2 has a lot of body hair. She is already self conscious about it. If this helped her self esteem I don't think it would hurt when she's a little older..
  • vanci...
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    vancitymom

    July 12, 2012 at 10:32 PM
    I dunno I think most waxing is okay ie brows etc but if your young daughter wants to get a bikini wax I would say ask why first. Girls (& women) often do it to please men (not all the time but often) and if that's why your daughter wants to do it id say no. That is, if you have a close enough relationship where she would be honest
  • JessL...
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    JessLogansMommy

    July 12, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    I see no problem with a girl getting a bikini wax to clean up whatever would show while wearing a bathing suit.  I think waxing is a much better alternative than shaving.  


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