So you want to shave your legs...

[Jenniferathome]

So many posts here on this subject and for those of us that do shave, we all know it is a non-event. Shaving, in and of itself, does't out you as gay nor does it out you as cross dresser. I bike and have chosen to shave for that AS WELL AS shaving for cross dressing. No one asks, no one cares. Except....

Your wife or girlfriend will notice and will ask. The WHY of your shaving is what will make her care or not. If you are in a DADT deal or if cross dressing bothers her, shaving is just a reminder to her that you are a cross dresser. If you are not out to your wife/gf then shaving WILL bring up questions.

I'm willing to bet that no wife/gf will actually care about shaving, if you're doing so for some sport related activity (biking, swimming, triathleethon, etc). If your reason is for cross dressing, then the only person you must address is the one you love. The rest of the world is a don't care.

[Gingersnap]

I agree there is no big deal in shaving. In fact stubble sucks.

[Sallee]

I have shaved mine off and on for some time Wife never says any thing but she is a DADT wife but is fully aware of my cding. NO one else notices or they don't care I where shorts regularly.

[Kandi Robbins]

I could not agree more! As someone who had a porn 'stache all of my life and was covered with hair from head to toe (literally), I removed all my body hair, lost the mustache and really cut my eyebrows back (all very noticeable changes). Not one single person, including people that have known me all of my life, ever made a comment or asked a question. I made no effort to hide it, wearing shorts frequently and short sleeve shirts. We are all prisoners of our own minds (myself very much included), worrying about what people will think. It has been said here often and is the absolute truth, people only pay attention to themselves. The more you try things, the more you will absolutely understand that. I speak from experience, very recent experience.

[Sarah Louise]

As I said in another post, my wife didn't even notice. If she does, I'll just say I tried it and liked it. I doubt it will be a big deal as it's becoming more and more common.

[Gina Torres]

Agreed. I would always say I shave due to running, no one ever batted an eye. I'm pretty sure shaving does nothing for runners.

[Cassandra Lynn]

A quick story that relates to the topic at hand.

I was in the grocery store this summer here in my small and very redneckish Idaho hometown (hiya Jennifer, how ya been? :)).

A youngish couple (20ish) gave me an odd look going in, again when we crossed paths down one aisle, and again at the checkout and I did notice they seemed to be paying particular attention to me from the waist down.

My initial thought was it was either the ladies khakis (mid thigh length which goes against the grain of mens fashions of this era) and sandals (not all that femme but not very masculine either) that got their attention.

But the truth became evident when I overheard them talking in the parking lot. She said to him "where have you been;. lot's of men go hairless these days".

Now I've been hair free on the legs for a decade or longer now and bald chin to toe for prolly 6 yrs now (epilation for me) and as I've never had it mentioned to me, been asked about it or seen any obvious looks, that was the last thing I figured drew the attention.

In other words you're right Jennifer, it's really a non-issue.

[kittie60]

I never had much hair on my legs it was on the upper part but have been doing my legs for well on 30 yrs now and not once was ever questioned about. Like everyone says who cares.

[Candice June Lee]

When I met my wife I stopped shaving my legs for a while. That didn't last long as one. I hate the feeling of hair on my legs, two I needed that feeling of femininity. I had not come out to her then. So under the disguise of biking which I did. I started and kept my legs shaved. Now years later she understands what I was doing.

[Katey888]

Yup - my wife noticed.... :eek: and I'm not out to anyone...

No sports could reasonably be a justification, so when her indoors asked the fateful question (a full three months after I started and I wear shorts ALL the time at home) of course I had to have something plausible in my defence... which was...


"Darling - I am afraid my leg hair was appearing very patchy and uncouth, so I thought I'd try whipping it all off and now I rather like it... what do you think..?"

She looked a little querulous, but the moment passed... she also prodded a little on my slightly orangey bottle tan this summer but I just put that down to her bad eyesight.

Now, in the past couple of months a minor change to domestic circumstances has caused me to stop shaving... :bonk: and the hair is coming back, which of course, she has noticed - but the other day she actually said to me - "Do you know - you leg hair is patchy. There are bald bits that look odd...."

:D

So of course I now have implicit permission to get scything again - but will she notice the tan coming back in the middle of January..? We'll see... ;)

And no-one else has said a dicky bird about it...

Katey x

[AnnaMarie]

My wife did notice and I'm in the closet. However the bottom half of my legs are patchy and it looks stupid - so, I shaved them and keep them shaved. I wear shorts and workout on the treadmill at home so she does see them - also wear shorts for PJ's too. She's more concerned about my shaved arms!

[Dana44]

Actually the hair on my legs is almost gone, but a few patchy spots like my front of my knee. I shave them and my legs look pretty clear anyways. So, is been that way for a while. Nobody notices though. Unless I wear shorts in the summer.

[Rachael Leigh]

This is very true Jennifer I don't think it's a big deal for guys to have no leg hair anymore, it's become for me just a normal part of my week to shave twice a week

[reb.femme]

I shave my arms and legs and no one but the wife has noticed or said anything.

I shaved my legs during a blistering phase I suffered and my lower legs now have only a few hairs toward the knee that grow. Every cloud and all that. Wife is not keen but I use the patchy growth due to the condition excuse, works for me.

Becky

[AndrewJenny]

I'm really hairy all over, but I've had good luck "thinning it out" with an electric razor (the kind that comes with a dozen different attachments). People notice big changes, but not gradual ones over time, so I just take a little bit more each month. And it makes the actual shaving a LOT easier, because there's not so much hair to tear through (I swear, sometimes I don't need a razor, I need a machete).

KKat

[CarolBrown]

Shaving my legs isn't a problem for me... I suffer with eczema on my legs and when it gets too painful, I shave my legs as it causes further irritation.

[MissDanielle]

Just say you are taking up swimming and want to swim faster!

[Jane G]

Yep as stated, no one cares if you shave your legs. I only shave them in the summer wh n I don't"t cover r hem. I do get the occasional I see you shaved your legs, from my wife. Usually on the beach. But never a utterance from any one else.

On and what's does DADT stand for? Sounds like a beverage.

[Robin777]

CarolBrown,
I had a outbreak of eczema on my legs last spring from stress and having my legs shaved kept the cream from making a mess when applying it. I had it there and on my arms. I can sympathize with you.

[Jenniferathome]

...

On and what's does DADT stand for?.


Don't Ask, Don't Tell

- - - Updated - - -


Just say you are taking up swimming and want to swim faster!

The point is that you do NOT need to make up a story. No one cares and no one comments.

[Lauri K]

Remember it is less than 6 months now till summer, if you want to set yourself free from the daily razor routine now is the time to consider laser.

Just saying, you factor in buying all those high quality razors, epilator, shave solutions, booze needed to run the epliator and then repeat and repeat and repurchase, time each day / week

I am going all in on laser, after a decade of shaving................ I hope I am nearing the end of wasting time on the shaving treadmill ...because believe it or not that shaved area is growing back while you read this message to haunt you again tomorrow

[donnaS]

I shave everything.....everything!
Except my head. Lol
Never had anybody mention anything about my arms or legs. I love going to river in the summer. Even there, nobody
Says a word about my legs or under arms.
Nobody pays any attention and I'm sure doesn't care.

[donnalee]

I have no leg hair; born that way. In 7 decades, no one has ever asked me why I have no hair there; I don't think this looms large on anyone's radar.
I guess the moral of this is "Shave early and shave often."

[Krisi]

It's important to realize that some of us are naturally close to hairless while others resemble a gorilla. If you are that gorilla and normally hang around with your friends wearing shorts and you shave your legs one day, they will notice and will probably ask why you shaved your legs. Be prepared with something better than "I'm taking up swimming."

You could use a trimmer over a period of time to shorten the hair gradually to the point where they won't notice. Also, if you are that gorilla, you should probably do whatever you do to your entire body. Having silky smooth hairless legs and throw rugs on the arms will look out of place.

[Teresa]

Jennifer,
I must admit after a while your comments are true, I'm not so sure about the rest of the World not caring, or commenting but they will accept it.
My wife kept at me last year to put some shorts on in the hot weather, eventually when I did I asked if she minded my shaved legs , I couldn't believe she hadn't noticed, as Katey comments I got that look, then she asked if I was getting any worse I just replied I prefer it !
I have to pick up a point Pamela made about being less smelly when you shave most of your body, I didn't realise it until I tried it and it is true, I sweat less and there's very little odour especially the armpits.

[Sky]

Really? Who cares about shaven guys? For a while now, fully shaved has been a metrosexual staple. So maybe we should add an "M" as in LGBTM?

[Mickitv]

I shave and wax everything except that little landing strip. Luckily I was never very hairy but I have been smooth for many years now and love it. Sometimes it is better to do it a little at a time and then it seems to go unnoticed

[sherri]

IME, people DO notice, and quite often, actually. But obviously people don't really "care", they have their own lives to tend to. This is especially true in the relative anonymity of the city, whereas in a small town where everybody knows everybody you're more likely to get a second look occasionally. This doesn't mean you're outing yourself, just that you have to accept the possibility of a little whispering by those so inclined that maybe you're a little "different". Who cares? I don't.

My own family and a couple of friends have asked me if I shave my legs, but it was no big deal. Since you have to be a pretty hardcore athlete (swimming or biking, usually) to warrant shaving legs, and I am so not, I simply use the patchy leg hair explanation, which in my case is actually the truth -- well, a partial truth, anyway. On the rare occasions it has come up, I explain very succinctly and give signals I'm not real interested in elaborating or dwelling on the subject. In other words, my legs, my business, let's move on, shall we?

[Stephanie47]

I had never been very hairy. I'm a senior now and by some of the comments it appears there are some other comments from seniors that seem to indicate as we age the hair thins out on the legs. Several years ago my adult daughter was sitting across from me and asked if I shaved my legs. I have never shaved my legs. I asked her if this was the fist time she noticed that I do not even have hair follicles on the back of my legs. My legs are now totally hairless and baby face smooth. I also do not have underarm hair. For some reason over the years until about age sixty I never had chest hair. I looked like one of the young men who use to be models at my local Abercrombie and Fitch store at the mall. That's easy to shave off. For some reason the small around of chest hair is coarse and I hate it when it does grow in. The only hair that is a visual pain is arm hair. I choose to wear a long sleeve dress or a sweater when I'm outside en femme. If I were to shave or at least thin out the arm hair it would make the scars from shrapnel and burns more noticeable. Thank you, Charlie!

[grace7777]

Before I started dressing en femme, I had already started shaving my arms and legs, and if someone would ask why, I would just say it looks better that way. I felt no need to give any further explanation. I could care less what other people think of me shaving.

[Tina Davis]

I have been blessed with very light colored hair and not a lot of it. I do shave my legs regularly and occasionally have the opportunity to do my chest, stomach and under arms. I prefer to keep them neat so when I can fully shave it's not as noticeable. The only problem is when the hair grows back. I sometimes get ingrown hairs and they are ugly to deal with. I know I should be more careful and treat my skin better...if only I had the time!

[heatherdress]

I have had some medical procedures and had parts of my body shaved. I usually completed the shaving effort and enjoyed a full shave. No one has ever noticed or commented. Jennifer is so right - no one else cares.

[Stephanie Julianna]

Used to belong to a bike club and used Nair to keep my legs smooth. After one season the hair never grew back and I have been hair free for 30 years. This did not work on any other part of my body. To bad.

[Sissy_Michelle]

Jenniferathome,

I used to shave my legs when I was much younger and doing triathlons... Since I have started removing chest and underarm hair, I didn't wish to look too obvious at the gym. There are a lot of older people in the locker room that gossip more than the ladies do. Otherwise I would.

@--}----
Michelle

[Jenn A116]

I've always been pretty hairy so it was a major change when I decided to shave my legs. My wife (who does know about Jenn) never mentioned it and its become my new normal. Never had anybody else notice/comment about it. Even the tech at my nail salon who gives me pedicures. Pretty much a non-event.

[JocelynJames]

I came out to my wife and started shaving a month later and never looked back. When the kids finally noticed they were astonished. I merely stated I was tired of being so hairy and decided to be a modern man. Lots of people have noticed I'm sure and said nothing. 2 a**holes at a water park made a few comments , but I let it roll off like water on a duck's back. Unfortunately , I HAVE TO SHAVE every day. As another on the forum stated, I just about get a 5 minute shadow. I have been thinking of the doula for route for the legs. Anybody with Eli experience feel free to drop me a message on my page!

[gabriella1964]

I have always shaved my pubes never knew what it looked like to be full grown, as of a cpl years ago i started shaving legs and when anyone asks i just tell them it looks better than having half bald legs because we all know it stops growing in elder men....as far as pits i just hate hair and it doesnt seem to smell if your pits are shaved ...as quick as if they had hair. Basically i just prefer a smooth body who cares what anyone thinks its my body.

[Tina_gm]

Although my wife has a lot of difficulty with the sight or the concept of my cding, I am rather fortunate she is not a big fan of body hair. Some women do really like it.

This to me I always find odd, that shaving, which for me also includes everything but arm hair which isn't real thick anyway. I find it odd because I have no other reason for shaving other than I prefer my body smooth, like a woman's.

I would think that that is a constant reminder of IT. Granted, she is not a fan of hair, but has also said to me the why I shave is difficult. If I wasn't a cder, she would likely be ok with it, so it isn't a masculine thing she likes or misses. On a few occasions, my bare legs have been seen in public. I only remember one negative look at them, from a 20 something woman. Most either truly do not notice. Or care.

[Belladdresser]

I'm just going to buy one of those permanent hair remover light guns next week for the wife and I to use. I'll post a review of how it works and take photos.

[CallmeAlice]

For me I have really really hairy legs, so if I did shave I would be very noticeable. Though I always wear jean nobody would notice if I did shave, other than my girlfriend. But in the summer time I got swimming quite a lot so people would notice. Like you said nobody would care, but if I went swimming with my parents I would be bombarded with questions, something I personally dont want to deal with.

[threeheavenshigh]

I shaved a few weeks ago to get some pix... It's a pain to hide (even though I don't sleep with my wife anymore.)

Related note on epilating the face: It hurts. (But I'd totally keep doing it if I wasn't worried about my wife catching me.)

[SHY KIM]

I just shave my legs last week before my first outing. I went from the knees down since years ago I remember my wife asking me to do that. She likes my legs hairy and masculine. Needless to say I have been wearing sweats around the house and not changing in front of her. Don't like being sneaky , will probably let her find out this weekend.
With any luck the hair wont grow back as thick or dark (please-please-please:o
One thing to back up a few other posts is that as I age the hair on my lower legs, shins on down is pretty much non-existent. I'm thinking wear from the socks + age?

[Nadine Robles]

I dont mean to branch off but I've been told waxing is way more efficient and better for your skin than shaving. (So far Ive mostly used razor because I dont have that much hair) plus the hair grows thinner and weaker everytime making it easier. Also I had a gg friend who used laser but later the hair partiallly re-grew (even thought of suing them!) ever heard something like that???

Anyway, back to the Topic, in my experience people DO indeed notice, and no, the don't care at all, but notice enough to put me through some awkward moment.

[Brandy Mathews]

I have to disagree with you, sorry. Most people see that you have shaved your legs, or all over your body, they wonder what is going on. That is not a normal thing for a man.
Hugs,
Bree :)

[Lorileah]

I'm just going to buy one of those permanent hair remover light guns next week for the wife and I to use. I'll post a review of how it works and take photos.


Also I had a gg friend who used laser but later the hair partiallly re-grew (even thought of suing them!) ever heard something like that???



I would suggest both of you look at Clothing, Shopping and Beauty (do a search). IPL only works on specific skin tones and hair color. And the only PERMANENT hair removal is electrolysis.

In regard to this thread shaving and waxing would mean the same, let's just call it hair removal for thread purposes


Most people see that you have shaved your legs, or all over your body, t
Just a quick question, have you noticed how many men don't have hair (or vry little) on their legs?

[Danni-Beth]

DEAR GOD!!!!

I've just used (with her permission) my wifes epilator to do my legs for the first time.....I hope it gets easier with each subsequent time!?

[Jenniferathome]

...Just a quick question, have you noticed how many men don't have hair (or vry little) on their legs?

Exactly! In fact, it is most likely that men's legs simply go unnoticed in general. Of course, the population at large is not blind and when proximity and familiarity are in their favor, they will see a hairless leg. The thought is NOT, "Hey that guy must be a cross dresser." That leap is just too far. Instead, the thought is likely, "Hey that guy's legs are hairless. Hey, that woman over there is hot." It's a non event. Period. I'm 5 years now of 365 shaving. One person, ONE, my brother, asked me IF I shaved. His comment, "Oh." Nothing more.

[sara.rafaela]

I tried shaving my legs and the effect was not that great. Due to my climbing and mountaineering I have all kinds of scars and scratches. Plus I have a certain grainy muscle build that is not feminine. I have to wear hosiery, I found it better to use an electric razor to take everything down as much as possible. This lets me get away with just one pair of pantyhose. And there is enough stubble on my legs that no one seems to notice.

[CONSUELO]

A perennial issue. i had my body waxed completely. I use an epilator to keep it from regrowing. About once or twice a year I go to get a waxing just to keep it looking good. I do a lot of long distance cycling and hair-free legs is almost de rigeur in that community.

A lady friend of mine was sitting opposite me one summer evening as we relaxed with a glass of wine and she commented that I have good looking legs but not a mention of them being hairless.

[Judith96a]

I don't know what anyone else might make of it if I went hairless. It's kinda moot, cos my wife would hate it. She's rather partial to the 'fur', so much so that when I needed to have a couple of patches on my chest shaved for an EGC she almost went into mourning!
There really is no accounting for taste!

[Rileyaz]

i started laser on my legs and armpits a few years ago and never looked back. Only one person said something to me in the last year. No big deal.

[AnnaBMarie]

My leg hair started to diminish when I hit my mid 60's, so for the most part I don't shave anything but my upper thighs. I do love that feeling after a close shave. I wear hose most of the time, so it helps putting them on when my legs are smooth.

[threeheavenshigh]

DEAR GOD!!!!

I've just used (with her permission) my wifes epilator to do my legs for the first time.....I hope it gets easier with each subsequent time!?

Eventually...

Face hurts worse, IMO.

[Emily W]

I wax chest, arms, hands, groin and even fingers myself. I also try to do my eyebrows but keep making a mess! I pay a professional to wax my back and they do my ears and nose hair. I shave my underarms and my legs. I have waxed my legs previously but I just love the way my legs feel after shaving - nice and silky.

Strangely I have only ever shaved my face – never thought of waxing or laser. I have had people look when I am in ‘boy mode’ and you can see their mind ticking over. However, I have never had anyone comment directly to me, other than my young female secretary who said one day “Well you made a mess of waxing your eyebrows this time. Why don’t you just go to a professional.”

[Kimberley May]

I told my new girlfriend last night that I've shaved my legs before (they're unshaven right now). I told her the reason being for a skin condition I have which brings me out in rashes, which is true enough. So it will mean that I should be able to do so without her minding or suspecting. Thing is, nylon tights also help too with my skin. But maybe telling her this too might make her a little more suspicious. Truth is I've no idea how she'd react if she knew my real secret as I don't want to lose her. But then she is quite a kinky gal anyway, so maybe I'll work on it :heehee:

[BillieAnneJean]

I have only been dressing for a bit over three years. Before I started I was very self conscious of my body hair and where it grew like a second beard. I didn't like how I looked as a man with this hair, before I discovered CDing. It had nothing to do with CDing or a latent desire to CD. After discovering CDing, purely by accident, I ended up shaving the body hair off. Now I am happier as a guy because I don't have the body hair. A side benefit of CDing.

One other unrelated to hair benefit. By CDing and presenting as a woman about once a week, I see that if I wished I could transition. Disregarding the validity of my outcome after transitioning, it still means I have a choice. So I am happier as a guy because I am able to choose. I like my life with my SO. I like being a guy with an opt out maybe once a week.

Such Fun!

[livefree83]

I've been shaving my legs consistently now, everyday or every other day, for the past 3 weeks.

Although my wife prefers hair, she has noticed my shaved legs and treats it as a DADT subject.

I keep my arm hair trimmed and my facial hair trimmed, just to compromise.

In my previous experience, people may or may not notice. The majority of people will not comment. Even if they do make a comment, there should be no reason to lie. I just say that it is my preference.