When Should a Boy Start Shaving His Mustache?

 

A boy starts to grow a mustache on his journey through adolescence. It’s one of the milestones that shows that a boy has transformed and is growing up. Once puberty hits, it is normal for body hair to grow in several places such as the armpits, the groin, back, tummy, and even facial hair.

 

The question every mother faces once a boy hits puberty is when should a boy start shaving his mustache.

 

 

While there is no exact age that is recommended for a boy to start shaving, it highly depends on how visible and noticeable his mustache and facial hair is and how much it bothers him.

 

As a rule of thumb, facial hair starts to develop when a boy hits puberty. This could be anywhere between 9-15 years old.

 

However, it is also important to keep in mind that age will play an important factor in determining how safe it is for your son to shave and handle a sharp razor.

 

Safety tips when shaving:

 

 

1- Understand the difference between each razor

 

Electric razor:

 

When using an electric razor, it’s pretty simple, quick, and convenient. You just turn it on and move it along your facial hair. However, it doesn’t give you the same results as using a standard razor.

 

Disposable razor:

 

When using a standard or disposable razor you need to make sure of the following:

 

• Use a clean, sharp blade.
• Avoid using dull blades as they can give you an uneven shave and cause redness or itchiness. It can also remove the skin with your hair.
• Do not be afraid to change your blade, but follow the instructions carefully when you do.

 

2- Use shaving gel or cream

 

Shaving removes the skin’s natural oils and leaves it dry. This can cause friction when shaving and lead to irritation or even cuts. In order to keep the skin smooth and moist, it is best to use shaving creams and gels to give you a smooth, clean shave.

 

3- Expect to get a few cuts when shaving

 

It’s normal to cut yourself when shaving as you are using a blade. You won’t get a cut every time, but until you get the hang of it, it’s important to expect it and learn how to deal with them.

 

• If you get a cut from shaving, use a clean tissue to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to it.
• It’s best to use a disinfectant to make sure your cut doesn’t get infected and cover it with plaster until it dries.
• Avoid shaving areas with cuts or zits.

 

How to shave

 

 

If this is your son’s first time shaving, make sure he follows these steps:

 

• Rinse the face before shaving with hot water to open up the pores and make the facial hair softer.
• Use shaving gel or cream and spread around the face, chin, and neck.
• Press the razor against the area you want to shave and use small strokes in the direction of the hair growth.
• Stretch the skin for tricky areas such as mustache or chin to be able to handle it easier.
• Rinse the face after it’s been shaved and repeat every 1-3 days or depending on how fast the hair grows.

 

Further reading: Why Parents Should Let Their Boys Cry