Alex's Answer

Hi there and thank you for contacting Ask Alex.  

It sounds like you are feeling self-conscious when others call you names and point out that there are hairs on your legs. That’s completely understandable and you are correct, it is not a nice thing for others to do, nor do they have the right to do so. If this is done on a regular basis, it would be considered as bullying. To answer your question, it’s normal for you to have hairs on your legs as you are growing and developing into a young adult.  

All through your childhood, your body has been growing, but as you reach puberty, your body starts to develop in a different way. You will start to get hair under your arms and on your legs too. You may also get hair at the base of your tummy, and between your legs. This is called pubic hair.  

There is no health reason to get rid of body hair, but some people do, and some don’t. It is a personal choice. It is up to you. If at any stage, you change your mind and want to remove the hair, that is okay too as you know yourself and your body best. You can do whatever feels right for you.  

Your hormones are very active at this time and hormones can really affect your moods and feelings. You may find that you lose your temper more easily and you can sometimes have rows with your family or friends for no real reason. It’s all normal, but it can feel hard at the time. You might feel like you are the only one going through this, but actually, it’s all part of growing up and many others feel like this too. If you feel low, it is good to talk to someone: your parents, other trusted adults, your brother or sister or your friends. They might not be able to cheer you up, but just talking alone can helps. There are many articles on the Childline website, including this one www.childline.ie/what-exactly-happens-to-your-body-and-mind-during-puberty/ . There are also other Ask Alex questions answered around puberty if you would like to have a read; just type the word ‘puberty’ into the search box on the website and the questions and answers will come up for you. 

If you would like to chat with someone further then you can contact Childline by phone on 1800 66 66 66, or through our web chat on www.childline.ie. You can start a chat by clicking on the orange tab on the right-hand side of your screen. Childline is here for you anytime and we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a free and confidential service. Childline is non-judgemental and will not tell you what to do, instead Childline can help you explore what options may be available to you.  

We hope this has helped you somewhat. Take care, 

Alex