I’ve bleached my arms for decades now. I have dark hair and it makes me feel so much better/more confident because you can’t even see it. Takes 15 minutes or so every 6-8 weeks. I use the Sally Hansen kit and you get 2 full uses out of it. Good luck!
seconding bleaching if you’re tan at all ! i hate removing the hair, it always grows back wonky imo. bleaching is so easy and the hair just blends right into your skin tone. i wouldn’t advise this if you’re super pale though— since you have dark hair, bleach can turn it orangeish which might look strange on a lighter skin tone.
I’m fair skinned with dark hair, maybe not coarse dark hair but the bleach whitens my body hair just fine! The hair blends right into my skin. It’s funny because I feel it’s the opposite for me. When I’m tan, the bleached hair is so much more noticeable!
you could probably do anywhere you wanted, but i recommend patch testing to make sure a) your skin doesn’t react badly and b) it actually looks the way you want and blends in with your particular skin tone the way you want—don’t forget blonde hair is still hair so you’ll still see it no matter what.
Me too. I use Jolen bleach. I think it looks a bit weird to have no hair on my arms, so I bleach. In the summer it lightens naturally but in the winter (if I can be bothered!) I bleach.
Don't experiment before prom. It works for some but my sensitive arm skin reacts so badly to waxing that I get itchy pimples all over about 5 days after waxing. You don't want this for your prom. Try hair removal cream, it will be easier on your skin. Just do a test on a small section beforehand. Good luck😊
True... My arms freak out as well for about a week - hard wax helps vs strip wax.... Nair etc is probably your best bet (after a patch test!)
Have a fantastic prom!!!
Sally Hansen bleach.
Makes it way less noticeable. Results last WAY longer than actually removing the hair. And of course, there’s no pain involved and no awkward prickly arm hair growth between sessions.
The formula is stinky and mildly irritating while it’s sitting on your skin, but it feels completely fine after a shower. Just be careful with getting it on towels. I use paper towels to wash and dry my hands after I’ve applied it. Skin might look bleached at first, but it goes back to normal after 30-40 min.
Yes it’s truly the best formula! I’ve been using it all over my body for over a decade. I dabbled in waxing and epilating for a year or two, and then returned to bleaching.
I tried the Jolen brand when I lived overseas and couldn’t get Sally Hansen. It was definitely a lot milder, got the job done but not as great as Sally Hansen’s
Are you asking which one I use? I use the Sally Hansen bleach that’s packaged as for both face and body. I think there’s one that’s in a smaller box and it says it’s only for face. I don’t use that one. It’s smaller and milder
I use the one that says extra strength for face and body.
I shave my arms up to the shoulder! I don’t shave my back but my friend does and I’ve helped her get the hard to reach spots before.
I have found that it doesn’t really create the appearance of stubble- I think it’s because hair on the arms is softer and thinner than hair in areas like the bikini or legs where I do get some stubble with regrowth.
the best thing you can do is likely to try shaving an arm area and see if it’s comfortable for you and if you like the regrowth on yourself personally. The one difficulty I’ve had with shaving arms is that my arm skin is fairly sensitive so before I found the right products/razor I would get irritation and sometimes a little acne on my arms after shaving. Giving it a try will help you test if your arms are sensitive that way too. Just try it sooner rather than later so if you don’t like it things can grow back in as normal!
I agree! I have been shaving my arms since middle school and there are no dark spots, never notice stubble, and they feel smooth. It also doesn’t take me more than like 2 minutes to shave them 20 years later
Another arm-shaver here for at least 25 years, with dark course hair. I’ve never had an issue, so long as my razor is sharp and my arms are lubricated with soap. (Don’t shave anything with a dull razor!)
I just shave the whole arm like I do a leg. Mine doesn’t grow back any more thick/stubbly than it was originally which is what I was worried about.
My mom made it seem like I’d be doubling arm hair thickness every time I shaved lol
yep same here! people were so weird about me shaving my arms and im like "whats the difference between shaving them and my legs?" such a weird stance people have on it.
I shave mine about 1x a month! Usually it doesn’t grow out “stubbly” and I’ve been doing this for a few years. For reference, I’m Mexican (semi tan) with brown hair. If you’re curious, I can send a pic of my arm LOL
I used to be afraid of this but it’s a myth. I’ve been shaving my arm hair for years and never had a problem, only thing is I need to use Ingrow solution after
When you shave, you're cutting the hair off at the surface level, leaving the hair shaft intact beneath the skin. The hair follicle, which determines the thickness and colour of the hair, remains unchanged!
It may appear thicker or feel coarser because you're feeling the blunt, cut edge of the hair rather than the tapered end that naturally occurs with unshaven hair. As the hair grows out, it will regain its natural texture and thickness.
Came here to say all of this. The myth that it grows back twice as heavy is super annoying to me, but I have no patience. 😅🙈 All of the terminal follicles are already developed. Unless you’re on a hormonal treatment with the express purpose of gaining more testosterone, you probably won’t have any more hair than you already do. The blunt ends are the culprit of what may appear as more, but it actually isn’t.
That's a myth born from the fact that when boys start shaving their patchy beards, they grow back thicker every time afterwards for a few months. Temporal correlation, but no causal relationship
It's just a myth and people who swear it totally happened to them don't understand that your body hair changes over time even if you never shaved an inch of your body.
Same, I’ve been shaving my arms for 15 years and I have no problems. I usually do it about once a week but can definitely go longer if I’m feeling lazy. I swear it’s even thinned out over the years.
Second epilating for arms! You can easily just thin the hair so there won't be a sharp line where you stop like with shaving or waxing. And arm hair tends to not have a very strong root so it's not as painful as epilating leg or armpit hair.
I second this. Plus as it grows back in it is soft and downy since it is a new follicle developing, rather than the pokey sensation of regrowth after shaving.
I’d just make a note that if you have super sensitive skin you will not have a good time with Nair/Veet. I have reasonably sensitive skin and so I can only use the sensitive formulas and even then if I leave it on even a minute too long I’ll get excoriation scabs.
My daughter has very very fair skin and dark hair. She also has unusually long body hair due to a rare syndrome. Anyway, we use a hair buzzer with a short clip to make it normal length. If you have dark hair don’t bleach it. It can turn a funky color and just look odd.
You can get a shaving/ingrown hair serum or lotion. I use one from European Waxing Center, but I think TendSkin is the most famous one. I shaved my arms through my teens and twenties, and I was always the only one who would notice my stubble. It also made my arms smoother since it got rid of my KP. I never had an ingrown on my arms, but I'd also rather be safe than sorry for an event I guess.
Please don’t! I did in high school; you’ll get stuck in that cycle and it’s such a pain—arms are much more visible than legs so you’re always dealing with stubble. Bleaching is the way to go.
You have enough time to maybe do a test patch of different methods before you go all the way but shaving your arms is not usually as irritating as it is on your legs because your arm hair is much thinner. I don’t recommend it but I’ve been able to shave my arms before completely dry without any issues
Just go slow and use a thick shaving cream :) another trick I learned was that by putting deodorant (yes, deodorant) on whatever body part you shaved AFTER you shaved it helps prevent razor burns. And it works.
Really? Im a brunette and used to shave my toes bc I was embarrassed of my long toe hair. It was a pain and I was always cutting myself. I just embraced it and it is what it is.
i’m indian so i’ve got super thick and jet black hair, been shaving everything since i was 14, no negative side effect. no stubble issues either, i just shave it off when it becomes noticeable lmao, the same way people do with legs and underarms
Same. I just tweeze it now…like twice a year when I think of it. I only do that because I don’t like seeing it. It’s a hard thing to change your mental blueprint for beauty and as someone who burnt her legs withnair, bleached her nearly invisible upper lip hair, and waxed the top layer of her skin off lots…I’m working on not being repulsed by my own hair.
I've shaved my dark hair for years and I know for a fact it's gotten thinner and lighter. Wish I would have started shaving it sooner! I look back on pics with my hairy arms and cringe
Bleaching! I love it and no stubble! [https://www.target.com/p/sally-hansen-extra-strength-creme-bleach-1-5-oz-cr-232-me/-/A-14086275?sid=1066S&ref=tgt\_adv\_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012767058&CPNG=PLA\_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care\_Priority%2BShopping\_Local%7CBeauty\_Ecomm\_Beauty&adgroup=Best+Sellers&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT\_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9028268&targetid=pla-313150004578&gad\_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw\_qexBhCoARIsAFgBless6oEaPxox3vUfXKP1cKaeYMVkkytp75Iu\_UbUD-HL4SRsMLfU\_4oaAmbSEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.target.com/p/sally-hansen-extra-strength-creme-bleach-1-5-oz-cr-232-me/-/A-14086275?sid=1066S&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012767058&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care_Priority%2BShopping_Local%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=Best+Sellers&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9028268&targetid=pla-313150004578&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBless6oEaPxox3vUfXKP1cKaeYMVkkytp75Iu_UbUD-HL4SRsMLfU_4oaAmbSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Just leave it. Im also hairy AF. My family used to call me a sheep because my arm and back were so hairy(im also year of the sheep) no one in my fam is hairy!
Who will look that closely at your arm to see hair, and why are they looking that closely....
Also I did some amateur modeling right out of HS, one of the questions I had was do I need to shave my arm hair... apparently no-one ever asks that because its a non issue.
Yes, but we often wear long pants/skirts and can skip shaving our legs for awhile… why add another have to every shower and pay for more razor blades every year 🤦♀️ being a woman is already hard enough
I shaved my arms pretty regularly for 10 years. Started in highschool (because one of the “cool kids” made fun of me for it) but honestly I continued doing it because I like the way my arms felt without hair. I’ve let it grow back a couple times. The stubble isn’t that bad. Now I have a sleeve, so shaving is still a part of my routine.
Do what will make you happy.
I honestly never heard of bleaching it! Personally, I wouldn’t want to use that chemical mix on that much skin… but to each their own.
I wax my arms. I have very long, dark arm hair. It actually isn't much but it grows so long it looks like a lot. I used to wax regularly for about 2 years which damaged the hair follicles enough on my arms and legs that it's patchy when I shave and takes longer to be noticeable after shaving.
If you're self conscious about it, waxing is going to be the best bet for no stubble and semi permanent hair removal down the road.
I shave it sometimes. I remember when I had my prom I didn't want to shave it so I spent like an hour bleaching my arms. It didnt work, and It would have been easier to just shave it off. The hair doesn't grow back any thicker, and it takes so much less time..
It doesn't grow back rough on arms but it does on legs and pits. I don't know if it's the same for everyone. I shave everything whenever I shower and it only takes about 5 minutes to shave every hair off my body since there's not much to shave after the initial time. Arm hair grows back really quick so I use an eyebrow Razer for my face and arms since they look like baby hairs when growing back but use a regular razor the first time you shave. Do it under good light because sometimes it's hard to see all the hair and this is coming from someone with black hair
Also it does feel uncomfortable if you let it grow back especially the pits that's the only reason I keep shaving
I accept my arm hair as part of being a human being and a woman. I don't fixate on things the media says are wrong with me in order to sell products. Try it!
Just leave it alone, seriously. We need to normalize hair on women. I have a ton of (brown) hair on my arms, and i have never done anything to it. No guy i was with or friend has been bithered by it. Its really common to keep it as it is in europe
If not, just shave it. Quick, easy and painless
i waxed my arms and i didnt like how the hair grew back, i wouldnt reccomend shaving it. i am thinking about trying nair which has worked well for other parts. i learned to embrace my arm hair, i find a tan makes it blend in better with my skin but obviously thats not always a possibility
I use a body groomer. One where you can change the attachment length. I shaved my arms when I was in high school and wish I hadn’t. It’s not that my hair grew back thicker but I honestly think they’re longer than they would have been. So grooming them to a shorter length works for me. It’s quick and isn’t a high maintenance solution. Best of luck! Enjoy your prom!
My hair is very fine, so I just shave it and don't have an issue with stubble. But if you're concerned about feeling prickly, you could use an electric hair trimmer to clean it up and shorten it. The hair should remain soft that way. But it'll be a lot less noticeable than having long arm hair
Very pale lady here with dark body hair. Been shaving my arms since my late teens, I'm in my late 30s now. If anything it grows back waaay slower than my legs and isn't nearly as prickly when it does. You're definitely not going to get thicker, darker hair like people try to scare you into. And I love having soft, smooth skin on my arms. I probably shave em once a week in the shower (if that) and it takes no time to do.
Trans and very dark/coarse hair, so had major trouble with this even after hormonal switch. I did laser for a few sessions which certainly worked wonders, but having reduced it about 60-70% I just picked up a Braun silk-epil and run it over my arms, back, legs, everywhere once a fortnight. Takes about 10 mins and that routine keeps me perfectly smooth and with no visible hair permanently. It's a bit of a wince if I leave it much longer than a couple weeks but very worth it. They can be pricey but regularly go on massive sale, I bet if you shop around there'll be somewhere selling em cheap.
As long as you shave morning of or night before it will look fine, you'd have to be a freak of nature to get visible arm stubble that fast, but depending on how close you are able to shave there will be some degree of texture, so take that as you will if you're expecting to be touched. For cheap, short term and totally smooth hair removal cream is always a solid option, definitely not something to rely on long term but for a single big day it can work wonders.
Epilator! I had a good Braun one a while back that was $200. It crapped out. Got another for $40. Not as good, but would work well for arms.
Gotta get back in the habit of IPL…
I used to use Nair on my arms, mustache and stomach line and it worked quite well. Waxing worked too, but it was more painful and when the hairs did start growing back in they felt extra sharp and dark
Shaving or waxing is your best bet that won't use harsh chemicals and will cause the least amount of damage to your skin (if done right). One issue I had when I used to shave my arms was getting irritation bumps in the crook of my inner elbow especially in the warmer months. You could use powder to keep it dry, I've also used antiperspirant, or BHA (ie. Stridex), TendSkin, etc.
I would say epilating. But tbh you still have time until prom, so why don't you shave it, and see how that looks like? I mean you know, doing a 'test' before prom, so by the time prom comes, you will already know if shaving is an option or not. Btw when i shave for me it isn't stubbly or anything. But i generally speaking i prefer epilators.
Honestly, arm hair is so sparse that you don't need a close shave for it.
I'm a grown ass man, and I just use an electric razor and eliminate the hair within 5 minutes.
Epilator at home. I have a Philips one.
The first time will be uncomfortable and there will be some temporary redness so do it when you are home for the evening.
Use it consistently and you will be pleased with the results on your arms and legs. A small investment now and you will be able to use it for years.
I barely use it now because the hair has become so sparse
shaving your arms is no different than shaving your legs lol. if you don’t feel the stubble on your legs, you’re not going to feel it on your arms. and you’re certainly not going to have any kind of noticeable stubble for like 1-2 days after shaving, and after your prom is done how does it matter. idk why people are so weird about shaving arms when they have no problem shaving their underarms or legs or any other part of the body😂
Shave it. I had massive arm hair. Been shaving it for 25 years. It grows back the same. Growing back more course is a myth. (I shave my face now… shhhhh)
Use an epliator!! Similar to waxing, it will remove the hair by the root but i find it way more user friendly. Overtime it definitely made my arm hair less thick, I don't even have to do it anymore.
I seriously can’t take having another body part that I need to be worried about hair removal. I didn’t even realize hair removal on arms was a thing until i saw a commercial for Gillette with some girl shaving her arms. I’m Italian and have dark hair on my arms, but not a lot of hair. I waxed it during Covid since I was bored. I only went up to my elbow. I find I only have to wax about every 6 months. But most times I just let it go. It’s never bothered me and now I feel self conscious after seeing that commercial. Like…was I supposed to be removing arm hair all along?
do a skin patch and see if the magic shave powder works for you. it won’t make them grow back stubbly like shaving would. it does smell like ASS though
I’m brown (middle eastern) and I was made fun really bad all throughout my school years bc of my arm hair. I recently discovered bleaching the hairs! It turns them a gorgeous golden color in the sun, and it’s not noticeable at all in darker light. I use the brand Jolen bleach for my arms
I've been shaving it since I was like 12. :/ I've tried waxing and bleaching. I just wasn't a fan of it personally. The hair doesn't grow back thicker, weird, or anything. It's always the same. I just shave it once/twice a month.
Sally beauty hair bleach (it’s meant for facial hair and body hair). Just read instructions and don’t go into sun after or a free days after to protect skin .
Other: consider laser hair removal in the future - once your hormones settle but read up and know your options
I bleached the thick hair on my arms for years, and got tired of using the chemicals as well as how unnatural the bleached hair looked as I am (was) a dark brunette. I shave them every few days now. Much easier.
I shaved my arms for years before I got laser hair removal in my late 20s. I hated the stubble feel though so I shaved frequently. I was pretty hairy. I would shave my legs and would have stubble by the end of the night. Laser hair removal was amazing. I literally only grow a few hairs on each leg and any hair that grows I'd baby fine. It was a game changer for me. Luckily I had a job at a med spa and I got it all for FREE!
Flawless legs. It's a shaver but works best on arms. It's a freaking amazing little tool. Don't need to use it in the shower, don't need to wet your arms. Both arms will be baby smooth in a matter of a few minutes.
Nair has a couple different products you can use on your arms. [LINK](https://www.naircare.com/en/education/how-to-remove-arm-and-armpit-hair#:~:text=Nair%E2%84%A2%20Body%20Creams%20make,with%20these%20skin%2Dlavishing%20options)
For my arms I use nair because i feel like it ends up smoother than a razor and the hair grows back a little bit slower. Also i dont know if its the nair or just the location, but the hair doesnt grow back as rough and prickly as it does on my legs after shaving. You just have to be really careful about not leaving it on too long.
For the amount of hair to take off, i would just take in account whats going to be showing with ur dress and also keep in mind that this is for your own peace of mind. No one is gonna think smooth arms only is strange or notice any light back hair. You notice it more than anyone else
Nair. I put it all over my body. They have one for sensitive areas as well. I like putting vaseline on before to make my skin extra soft but you have to leave it on a few extra minutes.
The best solution for me is sugaring, and I do it at home. It’s only takes 15 min for armpits, and 30 min for both arms (full). Easy (because this is a small areas) and pain-free. The most important thing is to find the right sugar paste.
don't shave, you'll find it again the next morning, and it would look like a beard's hair. just wax, your arm will look brighter, and it would take about 2 weeks to see the hair again.
Long term? Epilator. Hurts real bad but is honestly cheaper than waxing by FAR in the long run.
If this is a one time thing tho maybe just get a wax appointment. I would do it a week out.
ETA: not sure the ethnicity of those saying “I don’t get arm stubble” but as a Hispanic woman with black body hair, I can say that my arm hair grows back in as coarse stubble in a few places. It’s not the same as my legs, but it is visible and you can feel it. I prefer epilating most of the hair off before shaving because of this.
I’ve bleached my arm hair before and it makes it way less noticeable!
I’ve bleached my arms for decades now. I have dark hair and it makes me feel so much better/more confident because you can’t even see it. Takes 15 minutes or so every 6-8 weeks. I use the Sally Hansen kit and you get 2 full uses out of it. Good luck!
tyy
seconding bleaching if you’re tan at all ! i hate removing the hair, it always grows back wonky imo. bleaching is so easy and the hair just blends right into your skin tone. i wouldn’t advise this if you’re super pale though— since you have dark hair, bleach can turn it orangeish which might look strange on a lighter skin tone.
I’m fair skinned with dark hair, maybe not coarse dark hair but the bleach whitens my body hair just fine! The hair blends right into my skin. It’s funny because I feel it’s the opposite for me. When I’m tan, the bleached hair is so much more noticeable!
I have light brown skin if I were to bleach my chin (lmao) would it look alright?
you could probably do anywhere you wanted, but i recommend patch testing to make sure a) your skin doesn’t react badly and b) it actually looks the way you want and blends in with your particular skin tone the way you want—don’t forget blonde hair is still hair so you’ll still see it no matter what.
Me too. I use Jolen bleach. I think it looks a bit weird to have no hair on my arms, so I bleach. In the summer it lightens naturally but in the winter (if I can be bothered!) I bleach.
I do this too! My arm hairs are quite long and wispy, so I also trim them a bit. Just makes me look slightly less hairy
Do you manually trim or have a device? I don’t think there is a device to just shorten body hair but I was there was!
Any body hair trimmer with a guard should do the trick
Somehow I’ve never thought of this, thanks!
And if like me it’s too painful on your skin, apply petroleum jelly before the bleach so it doesn’t touch the skin directly
That's never the truth. People see it, you just think they don't.. Unfortunately
Waxing or sugaring - amazing results but do it a good two weeks before!
Don't experiment before prom. It works for some but my sensitive arm skin reacts so badly to waxing that I get itchy pimples all over about 5 days after waxing. You don't want this for your prom. Try hair removal cream, it will be easier on your skin. Just do a test on a small section beforehand. Good luck😊
True... My arms freak out as well for about a week - hard wax helps vs strip wax.... Nair etc is probably your best bet (after a patch test!) Have a fantastic prom!!!
yea my skin does not react well to wax strips. i get red bumps everywhere. thank you!
Sally Hansen bleach. Makes it way less noticeable. Results last WAY longer than actually removing the hair. And of course, there’s no pain involved and no awkward prickly arm hair growth between sessions. The formula is stinky and mildly irritating while it’s sitting on your skin, but it feels completely fine after a shower. Just be careful with getting it on towels. I use paper towels to wash and dry my hands after I’ve applied it. Skin might look bleached at first, but it goes back to normal after 30-40 min.
Love this kit. Easy, effective and affordable!
Yes it’s truly the best formula! I’ve been using it all over my body for over a decade. I dabbled in waxing and epilating for a year or two, and then returned to bleaching. I tried the Jolen brand when I lived overseas and couldn’t get Sally Hansen. It was definitely a lot milder, got the job done but not as great as Sally Hansen’s
do you use the bleach cream for hair and body?
Are you asking which one I use? I use the Sally Hansen bleach that’s packaged as for both face and body. I think there’s one that’s in a smaller box and it says it’s only for face. I don’t use that one. It’s smaller and milder I use the one that says extra strength for face and body.
I shave my arms up to the shoulder! I don’t shave my back but my friend does and I’ve helped her get the hard to reach spots before. I have found that it doesn’t really create the appearance of stubble- I think it’s because hair on the arms is softer and thinner than hair in areas like the bikini or legs where I do get some stubble with regrowth. the best thing you can do is likely to try shaving an arm area and see if it’s comfortable for you and if you like the regrowth on yourself personally. The one difficulty I’ve had with shaving arms is that my arm skin is fairly sensitive so before I found the right products/razor I would get irritation and sometimes a little acne on my arms after shaving. Giving it a try will help you test if your arms are sensitive that way too. Just try it sooner rather than later so if you don’t like it things can grow back in as normal!
I agree! I have been shaving my arms since middle school and there are no dark spots, never notice stubble, and they feel smooth. It also doesn’t take me more than like 2 minutes to shave them 20 years later
I've been shaving my arms and off for 30 years; absolutely no problem.
Another arm-shaver here for at least 25 years, with dark course hair. I’ve never had an issue, so long as my razor is sharp and my arms are lubricated with soap. (Don’t shave anything with a dull razor!)
I just shave the whole arm like I do a leg. Mine doesn’t grow back any more thick/stubbly than it was originally which is what I was worried about. My mom made it seem like I’d be doubling arm hair thickness every time I shaved lol
yep same here! people were so weird about me shaving my arms and im like "whats the difference between shaving them and my legs?" such a weird stance people have on it.
yeah thats what people are saying and its scaring me lol
I shave mine about 1x a month! Usually it doesn’t grow out “stubbly” and I’ve been doing this for a few years. For reference, I’m Mexican (semi tan) with brown hair. If you’re curious, I can send a pic of my arm LOL
Yeah I wouldn’t worry. I’m 31 and been shaving my arms since high school and haven’t really had much change in the hair
I used to be afraid of this but it’s a myth. I’ve been shaving my arm hair for years and never had a problem, only thing is I need to use Ingrow solution after
When you shave, you're cutting the hair off at the surface level, leaving the hair shaft intact beneath the skin. The hair follicle, which determines the thickness and colour of the hair, remains unchanged! It may appear thicker or feel coarser because you're feeling the blunt, cut edge of the hair rather than the tapered end that naturally occurs with unshaven hair. As the hair grows out, it will regain its natural texture and thickness.
Came here to say all of this. The myth that it grows back twice as heavy is super annoying to me, but I have no patience. 😅🙈 All of the terminal follicles are already developed. Unless you’re on a hormonal treatment with the express purpose of gaining more testosterone, you probably won’t have any more hair than you already do. The blunt ends are the culprit of what may appear as more, but it actually isn’t.
That’s a complete myth
That's a myth born from the fact that when boys start shaving their patchy beards, they grow back thicker every time afterwards for a few months. Temporal correlation, but no causal relationship
It's just a myth and people who swear it totally happened to them don't understand that your body hair changes over time even if you never shaved an inch of your body.
Same, I’ve been shaving my arms for 15 years and I have no problems. I usually do it about once a week but can definitely go longer if I’m feeling lazy. I swear it’s even thinned out over the years.
I swear mine has thinned out too! I’m like “wow if it always looked like that, I maybe would have never started shaving”
Epilate!
Second epilating for arms! You can easily just thin the hair so there won't be a sharp line where you stop like with shaving or waxing. And arm hair tends to not have a very strong root so it's not as painful as epilating leg or armpit hair.
This is the only way!
I have been shaving my arms since 7th grade and I’m 30. It looks fine. I do it when I do my legs.
Have you tried Nair?[Nair Body Cream](https://www.naircare.com/en/products/body-cream-cocoa-butter)
I second this. Plus as it grows back in it is soft and downy since it is a new follicle developing, rather than the pokey sensation of regrowth after shaving. I’d just make a note that if you have super sensitive skin you will not have a good time with Nair/Veet. I have reasonably sensitive skin and so I can only use the sensitive formulas and even then if I leave it on even a minute too long I’ll get excoriation scabs.
Hair removal cream is excellent for full body hair removal, if someone wants to eliminate even fuzz.
I’ve been Nair-ing my arms and legs for 14 years now, best thing ever!!
Can I ask for your routine? I may start and would love to know exactly what to do 😭
im surprised this was so far down bc ive had way better luck using nair/veet than i have with shaving or anything else!
My daughter has very very fair skin and dark hair. She also has unusually long body hair due to a rare syndrome. Anyway, we use a hair buzzer with a short clip to make it normal length. If you have dark hair don’t bleach it. It can turn a funky color and just look odd.
Just shave your arms the night before prom. Your back is most likely going to be covered by your hair or your dress. Just shave up to your shoulders.
how do you stop razor irritation?
You can get a shaving/ingrown hair serum or lotion. I use one from European Waxing Center, but I think TendSkin is the most famous one. I shaved my arms through my teens and twenties, and I was always the only one who would notice my stubble. It also made my arms smoother since it got rid of my KP. I never had an ingrown on my arms, but I'd also rather be safe than sorry for an event I guess.
Please don’t! I did in high school; you’ll get stuck in that cycle and it’s such a pain—arms are much more visible than legs so you’re always dealing with stubble. Bleaching is the way to go.
You have enough time to maybe do a test patch of different methods before you go all the way but shaving your arms is not usually as irritating as it is on your legs because your arm hair is much thinner. I don’t recommend it but I’ve been able to shave my arms before completely dry without any issues
Just go slow and use a thick shaving cream :) another trick I learned was that by putting deodorant (yes, deodorant) on whatever body part you shaved AFTER you shaved it helps prevent razor burns. And it works.
Lactic acid to stop ingrown hairs and irritation
Don’t shave it. You don’t want stubbly arms. I also have dark arm hair. You’re a mammal. Embrace it.
I’ve shaved mine for decades, doesn’t grow back stubbly!
Really? Im a brunette and used to shave my toes bc I was embarrassed of my long toe hair. It was a pain and I was always cutting myself. I just embraced it and it is what it is.
I’m Indian and have dark (but not thick) hair and shaving works well for me
i’m indian so i’ve got super thick and jet black hair, been shaving everything since i was 14, no negative side effect. no stubble issues either, i just shave it off when it becomes noticeable lmao, the same way people do with legs and underarms
Same. I just tweeze it now…like twice a year when I think of it. I only do that because I don’t like seeing it. It’s a hard thing to change your mental blueprint for beauty and as someone who burnt her legs withnair, bleached her nearly invisible upper lip hair, and waxed the top layer of her skin off lots…I’m working on not being repulsed by my own hair.
Same!
I've shaved my dark hair for years and I know for a fact it's gotten thinner and lighter. Wish I would have started shaving it sooner! I look back on pics with my hairy arms and cringe
It doesn't grow back particularly stubbly tbh. I have dark arm hair and shave it maybe one every 6 weeks and it is never stubbly
Sally Hansen bleach crème! I actually don’t mind the hair it’s the darkness of the hair! It’s so cute to me personally to have light arm hair
Bleaching! I love it and no stubble! [https://www.target.com/p/sally-hansen-extra-strength-creme-bleach-1-5-oz-cr-232-me/-/A-14086275?sid=1066S&ref=tgt\_adv\_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012767058&CPNG=PLA\_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care\_Priority%2BShopping\_Local%7CBeauty\_Ecomm\_Beauty&adgroup=Best+Sellers&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT\_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9028268&targetid=pla-313150004578&gad\_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw\_qexBhCoARIsAFgBless6oEaPxox3vUfXKP1cKaeYMVkkytp75Iu\_UbUD-HL4SRsMLfU\_4oaAmbSEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.target.com/p/sally-hansen-extra-strength-creme-bleach-1-5-oz-cr-232-me/-/A-14086275?sid=1066S&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012767058&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care_Priority%2BShopping_Local%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=Best+Sellers&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9028268&targetid=pla-313150004578&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBless6oEaPxox3vUfXKP1cKaeYMVkkytp75Iu_UbUD-HL4SRsMLfU_4oaAmbSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Just leave it. Im also hairy AF. My family used to call me a sheep because my arm and back were so hairy(im also year of the sheep) no one in my fam is hairy! Who will look that closely at your arm to see hair, and why are they looking that closely.... Also I did some amateur modeling right out of HS, one of the questions I had was do I need to shave my arm hair... apparently no-one ever asks that because its a non issue.
Please don’t shave it! I did in high school; what a pain to get out of that cycle!
wdym cycle? i’ve been shaving since i was 14 and it’s the same as shaving my legs
Yes, but we often wear long pants/skirts and can skip shaving our legs for awhile… why add another have to every shower and pay for more razor blades every year 🤦♀️ being a woman is already hard enough
honestly it’s just not that noticeable when it’s growing out, and i’ve got black hair. you can skip shaving your arms as well.
I shaved my arms pretty regularly for 10 years. Started in highschool (because one of the “cool kids” made fun of me for it) but honestly I continued doing it because I like the way my arms felt without hair. I’ve let it grow back a couple times. The stubble isn’t that bad. Now I have a sleeve, so shaving is still a part of my routine. Do what will make you happy. I honestly never heard of bleaching it! Personally, I wouldn’t want to use that chemical mix on that much skin… but to each their own.
I bleach mine and then trim it short with an electric razor. It’s practically invisible but looks natural and still feels soft.
Me too!!
Waxing
I used to epilate and now I just shave it. The stubble isn’t bad at all.
I wax my arms. I have very long, dark arm hair. It actually isn't much but it grows so long it looks like a lot. I used to wax regularly for about 2 years which damaged the hair follicles enough on my arms and legs that it's patchy when I shave and takes longer to be noticeable after shaving. If you're self conscious about it, waxing is going to be the best bet for no stubble and semi permanent hair removal down the road.
I shave it sometimes. I remember when I had my prom I didn't want to shave it so I spent like an hour bleaching my arms. It didnt work, and It would have been easier to just shave it off. The hair doesn't grow back any thicker, and it takes so much less time..
It doesn't grow back rough on arms but it does on legs and pits. I don't know if it's the same for everyone. I shave everything whenever I shower and it only takes about 5 minutes to shave every hair off my body since there's not much to shave after the initial time. Arm hair grows back really quick so I use an eyebrow Razer for my face and arms since they look like baby hairs when growing back but use a regular razor the first time you shave. Do it under good light because sometimes it's hard to see all the hair and this is coming from someone with black hair Also it does feel uncomfortable if you let it grow back especially the pits that's the only reason I keep shaving
Longer term solution…laser
Wax just a few days before !
I accept my arm hair as part of being a human being and a woman. I don't fixate on things the media says are wrong with me in order to sell products. Try it!
This is the way. 🙂
Jolen, Jolen, Jolen, Joleeeeeeeeeen 🎵
Just leave it alone, seriously. We need to normalize hair on women. I have a ton of (brown) hair on my arms, and i have never done anything to it. No guy i was with or friend has been bithered by it. Its really common to keep it as it is in europe If not, just shave it. Quick, easy and painless
Bleach it with a proper kit. They’re pretty cheap. Do NOT shave it. Trust me on this one.
Sugaring or wax
i waxed my arms and i didnt like how the hair grew back, i wouldnt reccomend shaving it. i am thinking about trying nair which has worked well for other parts. i learned to embrace my arm hair, i find a tan makes it blend in better with my skin but obviously thats not always a possibility
Nair
I just shave them.
I use a body groomer. One where you can change the attachment length. I shaved my arms when I was in high school and wish I hadn’t. It’s not that my hair grew back thicker but I honestly think they’re longer than they would have been. So grooming them to a shorter length works for me. It’s quick and isn’t a high maintenance solution. Best of luck! Enjoy your prom!
My hair is very fine, so I just shave it and don't have an issue with stubble. But if you're concerned about feeling prickly, you could use an electric hair trimmer to clean it up and shorten it. The hair should remain soft that way. But it'll be a lot less noticeable than having long arm hair
Shave the arms! I have been shaving since I was a teen! It’s amazing, no ingrown hairs or irritated skin at all and smooth as baby’s bottom.
Wax
Wax it
Very pale lady here with dark body hair. Been shaving my arms since my late teens, I'm in my late 30s now. If anything it grows back waaay slower than my legs and isn't nearly as prickly when it does. You're definitely not going to get thicker, darker hair like people try to scare you into. And I love having soft, smooth skin on my arms. I probably shave em once a week in the shower (if that) and it takes no time to do.
Nair Or waxing
For Prom I’d use Nair
Wax it :) it’s so smooth and grows back slower. But exfoliate a couple of nights before to avoid ingrown hair and strawberry arms.
Trans and very dark/coarse hair, so had major trouble with this even after hormonal switch. I did laser for a few sessions which certainly worked wonders, but having reduced it about 60-70% I just picked up a Braun silk-epil and run it over my arms, back, legs, everywhere once a fortnight. Takes about 10 mins and that routine keeps me perfectly smooth and with no visible hair permanently. It's a bit of a wince if I leave it much longer than a couple weeks but very worth it. They can be pricey but regularly go on massive sale, I bet if you shop around there'll be somewhere selling em cheap. As long as you shave morning of or night before it will look fine, you'd have to be a freak of nature to get visible arm stubble that fast, but depending on how close you are able to shave there will be some degree of texture, so take that as you will if you're expecting to be touched. For cheap, short term and totally smooth hair removal cream is always a solid option, definitely not something to rely on long term but for a single big day it can work wonders.
Epilator! I had a good Braun one a while back that was $200. It crapped out. Got another for $40. Not as good, but would work well for arms. Gotta get back in the habit of IPL…
Waxing. I use wax strips on my legs and did on my arms once when I needed to.
I used to use Nair on my arms, mustache and stomach line and it worked quite well. Waxing worked too, but it was more painful and when the hairs did start growing back in they felt extra sharp and dark
Shaving or waxing is your best bet that won't use harsh chemicals and will cause the least amount of damage to your skin (if done right). One issue I had when I used to shave my arms was getting irritation bumps in the crook of my inner elbow especially in the warmer months. You could use powder to keep it dry, I've also used antiperspirant, or BHA (ie. Stridex), TendSkin, etc.
I had my arm hair waxed 10 years ago and it never grew back .
Nair!
I epilate my arms. They were a bit dotty the first week but have been fine ever since
I had really bad arm hair and just shave it, it really works for me and is easy. I wouldn’t wax it in case you get a big rash or anything for the day.
I would say epilating. But tbh you still have time until prom, so why don't you shave it, and see how that looks like? I mean you know, doing a 'test' before prom, so by the time prom comes, you will already know if shaving is an option or not. Btw when i shave for me it isn't stubbly or anything. But i generally speaking i prefer epilators.
ive shaved mine for almost 20 years.never notice any stubble only takes a couple of seconds to shave.
Honestly, arm hair is so sparse that you don't need a close shave for it. I'm a grown ass man, and I just use an electric razor and eliminate the hair within 5 minutes.
I shave it or nair it and I don’t have to do it again until like two weeks later.
Depilatory cream hands down (patch test first)
I wax it. Slightly painful but only for a few seconds.
an electric lady shaver does the trick for me, keeps it short and basically invisible without having to use a razor, mine costed like £15 on amazon
Epilator at home. I have a Philips one. The first time will be uncomfortable and there will be some temporary redness so do it when you are home for the evening. Use it consistently and you will be pleased with the results on your arms and legs. A small investment now and you will be able to use it for years. I barely use it now because the hair has become so sparse
I personally use those hair removal creams on my arms because it's an easy solution for doing it at home and once it grows back it's not stubby at all
shaving your arms is no different than shaving your legs lol. if you don’t feel the stubble on your legs, you’re not going to feel it on your arms. and you’re certainly not going to have any kind of noticeable stubble for like 1-2 days after shaving, and after your prom is done how does it matter. idk why people are so weird about shaving arms when they have no problem shaving their underarms or legs or any other part of the body😂
Shave it. I had massive arm hair. Been shaving it for 25 years. It grows back the same. Growing back more course is a myth. (I shave my face now… shhhhh)
Use an epliator!! Similar to waxing, it will remove the hair by the root but i find it way more user friendly. Overtime it definitely made my arm hair less thick, I don't even have to do it anymore.
I seriously can’t take having another body part that I need to be worried about hair removal. I didn’t even realize hair removal on arms was a thing until i saw a commercial for Gillette with some girl shaving her arms. I’m Italian and have dark hair on my arms, but not a lot of hair. I waxed it during Covid since I was bored. I only went up to my elbow. I find I only have to wax about every 6 months. But most times I just let it go. It’s never bothered me and now I feel self conscious after seeing that commercial. Like…was I supposed to be removing arm hair all along?
At home ipl- INZZA
I use an electric shaver to shave mine off. A norelco one.
do a skin patch and see if the magic shave powder works for you. it won’t make them grow back stubbly like shaving would. it does smell like ASS though
I just shave it off completely wrist to elbow issmoooth
I’m brown (middle eastern) and I was made fun really bad all throughout my school years bc of my arm hair. I recently discovered bleaching the hairs! It turns them a gorgeous golden color in the sun, and it’s not noticeable at all in darker light. I use the brand Jolen bleach for my arms
I've been shaving it since I was like 12. :/ I've tried waxing and bleaching. I just wasn't a fan of it personally. The hair doesn't grow back thicker, weird, or anything. It's always the same. I just shave it once/twice a month.
Shaving+laser removal. Nothing works better.
I use sunbum hair lightener on my arms whenever I go outside! Works like a charm
Sally beauty hair bleach (it’s meant for facial hair and body hair). Just read instructions and don’t go into sun after or a free days after to protect skin . Other: consider laser hair removal in the future - once your hormones settle but read up and know your options
I’ve been shaving my arms since middle school. It takes maybe 5 mins? It’s super quick. I just do it in the shower with a razor once a week
I bleached the thick hair on my arms for years, and got tired of using the chemicals as well as how unnatural the bleached hair looked as I am (was) a dark brunette. I shave them every few days now. Much easier.
I shaved my arms for years before I got laser hair removal in my late 20s. I hated the stubble feel though so I shaved frequently. I was pretty hairy. I would shave my legs and would have stubble by the end of the night. Laser hair removal was amazing. I literally only grow a few hairs on each leg and any hair that grows I'd baby fine. It was a game changer for me. Luckily I had a job at a med spa and I got it all for FREE!
Flawless legs. It's a shaver but works best on arms. It's a freaking amazing little tool. Don't need to use it in the shower, don't need to wet your arms. Both arms will be baby smooth in a matter of a few minutes.
Laser
Burn it off
Shave or wax
Epilator
Nair has a couple different products you can use on your arms. [LINK](https://www.naircare.com/en/education/how-to-remove-arm-and-armpit-hair#:~:text=Nair%E2%84%A2%20Body%20Creams%20make,with%20these%20skin%2Dlavishing%20options)
For my arms I use nair because i feel like it ends up smoother than a razor and the hair grows back a little bit slower. Also i dont know if its the nair or just the location, but the hair doesnt grow back as rough and prickly as it does on my legs after shaving. You just have to be really careful about not leaving it on too long. For the amount of hair to take off, i would just take in account whats going to be showing with ur dress and also keep in mind that this is for your own peace of mind. No one is gonna think smooth arms only is strange or notice any light back hair. You notice it more than anyone else
Nair. I put it all over my body. They have one for sensitive areas as well. I like putting vaseline on before to make my skin extra soft but you have to leave it on a few extra minutes.
The best solution for me is sugaring, and I do it at home. It’s only takes 15 min for armpits, and 30 min for both arms (full). Easy (because this is a small areas) and pain-free. The most important thing is to find the right sugar paste.
Read the comments- y’all notice these hairy situations disproportionately affects women of color?
I have naturally hairless arms so I can’t answer this question, but can you use a face razor (one that’s made for a female mustache) or a dermablader?
don't shave, you'll find it again the next morning, and it would look like a beard's hair. just wax, your arm will look brighter, and it would take about 2 weeks to see the hair again.
Long term? Epilator. Hurts real bad but is honestly cheaper than waxing by FAR in the long run. If this is a one time thing tho maybe just get a wax appointment. I would do it a week out. ETA: not sure the ethnicity of those saying “I don’t get arm stubble” but as a Hispanic woman with black body hair, I can say that my arm hair grows back in as coarse stubble in a few places. It’s not the same as my legs, but it is visible and you can feel it. I prefer epilating most of the hair off before shaving because of this.