Shaving is a common practice among both men and women nowadays. While men have been shaving for centuries, women only started shaving in the early 20th century. The practice of women shaving their legs and underarms has become a norm in many cultures, but it wasn't always this way. So, when did women start shaving? Let's take a closer look.
The Early Days
The practice of removing body hair dates back to ancient times. Egyptian women used to remove their body hair using beeswax and sugar-based wax. They also used bronze razors to remove hair from their bodies.
In ancient Rome, women used pumice stones to remove hair from their bodies. They also used tweezers to remove hair from their eyebrows and other facial areas. In the Middle Ages, women used to remove their hair using a mixture of quicklime and arsenic. This mixture was extremely dangerous and caused severe skin damage.
The Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, women started wearing shorter dresses and skirts, which exposed their legs. This led to the rise of the beauty industry, which promoted the idea of hairless legs. The first razor specifically designed for women was introduced in 1915 by the company Gillette. It was called the Milady Decolleté and it was marketed as a way for women to remove hair from their underarms and legs.
During World War II, women started working in factories and other jobs that required them to wear pants. This led to the rise of leg-shaving as a common practice among women. The beauty industry also started promoting the idea of hairless underarms, which became popular among women.
The Present Day
Today, shaving has become a norm among women in many cultures. Women shave their legs, underarms, and other parts of their body to feel clean and confident. The beauty industry has also introduced many products specifically designed for women's hair removal, such as waxing, threading, and laser hair removal.
However, shaving is not mandatory for women. Some women choose not to shave their body hair and embrace their natural beauty. It's a personal choice that each woman has the right to make.
Conclusion
When did women start shaving? Women started shaving in the early 20th century when shorter dresses and skirts became popular. The beauty industry played a significant role in promoting the idea of hairless legs and underarms among women. Today, shaving has become a norm in many cultures, but it's not mandatory. Women have the right to choose whether they want to shave or not.