When did the 'ritual' begin, of us women, shaving/plucking/waxing hair from their legs, underarms and etc?

Who started it and decided it was the 'norm' to do so? : )When did the 'ritual' begin, of us women, shaving/plucking/waxing hair from their legs, underarms and etc?
Women have been shaving their legs in increasing numbers since the advent of inexpensive disposable razors. The idea (mentioned above) that it was an idea started by men is as funny as it is wrong. Women have never needed male help in setting standards for vanity.





When I was growing up (25 years ago), most teenaged females shaved their underarms and their legs, but generally to the knee only. The idea that any hair whatsoever below the scalp is dirty (or my favorites...eeeww and gross!) is really quite modern. Further, that women would decide that simple shaving is no longer adequate and seek an even smoother finish through extensive plucking and waxing was unheard of as recently as the 1980's. I have commented elsewhere that 25-30 seems to be the transitional age, below which many if not most women also shave their privates.





When a market is overbought, smart investors predict a downturn. Similarly, with vanity, particularly in the teen and pre-teen subsets at record highs, expect a correction soon.When did the 'ritual' begin, of us women, shaving/plucking/waxing hair from their legs, underarms and etc?
I'm not sure, but it's gotten carried away. Shaving underarms and legs is fine. But why the fascination with trying to look like a 10 year old down there? And will it come to women having to shave their arms and head? It's to the point where some women think hair is dirty. And I think it's sad that women seem to think the only way to ';get'; a guy is to spend hours and huge amounts of money getting hair-do's, coloring their hair, make-up, botox, surgery, waxing, shaving, and expensive sexy clothes.
Women began shaving in the early twentieth century. It was basically started because of the hemline rising on skirts, and the fact that having hair was considered unattractive. If I remember correctly, shaving was an idea that men started, and when razors became widely available, they started marketing them towards women because it meant the companies would make more money.
ok..i can't imagine NOT shaving. I mean...EUW. But I have no idea who started it.
when we figured out that men prefered hairless bodies rather than gorilla impresionists. come on no man wants a hairy women n no women wants 2 b hairy. the longer beauty routines take the better. when it comes 2 lookin good theres no such thing as 2 much time r effort
There are many reasons cross culturally for hair removal on the body.


Dates back to ancient egypt when hair would be removed to avoid lice and fleas. Before surgery hair would be removed and due to the hot conditions for hygiene reasons too.


Hair removal is adopted by religions too for hygiene reasons also.
i dunno but they suck!
I think it started to get worse round the 1920's/30's. When Coco Chanel started making suntans fashionable. Women were coming into their own then and ';feminine'; was fashionable, which meant less obvious hair. Of course I could be wrong.


As for personal shaving ';down below';; I see no problem with it. Certain areas become more sensitive and it can only be a pleasurable experience for both parties!


Men shave down there as well you know!
Whatever happened to 70s style ';hairy knickers?'; They are all bald as a coot today!
When women became vein.





Its like when did people suddenly think that slapping make-up all over makes you look better.