How To Shave Your Legs

Are you beginning to get hairy down there and want to know how to shave your legs in a way where you can avoid all the side effects like razor burn, nicks, and cuts, or razor bumps?

Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all had a bad shaving experience and ended up with our legs being on fire due to a dull razor blade or a heavy hand.

Fortunately, you won’t need to worry about this happening again as we’re about to cover all the dos and don’ts of shaving your legs including what to avoid doing as well as a helpful routine on what to do next time you get to shaving.

Here’s a quick tip before we start – the razor you use is extremely important so it’s worth investing in a high-quality model. You can find some of the best women’s electric razors here so check them out.

Now, let’s get started.

Common Mistakes When Shaving Your Legs

A Dull razor blade – We touched upon this above but the quality of your disposable razors really is a key component in the kind of shaving experience you have. If your disposable razor is dull then you’re likely to suffer from irritation after shaving your legs. ensure you have a sharp razor and replace it often to avoid a blunt blade.

Rushing – Another common mistake is that many people want to power through the shaving process. You have to take your time with it if you’re going to do it right otherwise you increase the chances of getting nicks and cuts or razor burn. Slow and gentle strokes in the direction of hair growth will make your shaving experience smoother and less painful.

Shaving too soon – It’s best to leave shaving as the very last step of your shower routine. The warm water will soften the hair, open up the hair follicles, and keep the skin warm and moist as you stand in the shower. This will make sure you have a closer shave and help prevent razor burn along with dead skin cells that could dull your razor blade.

Not exfoliating – Exfoliating regularly is key to preventing ingrown hairs. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells. These can cause ingrown hairs and could dull your razor so it’s worth knowing when to exfoliate and how best to do it.

How To Shave Your Legs: A Step By Step Guide

1. Get a clean, sharp razor – It may seem like a no-brainer but make sure you’ve got a fresh razor on hand and rinse it. A disposable razor will usually last around 5-10 shaves so you won’t have to get out a new one every time you shave your legs.
2. Rinse your legs – Make sure you rinse your legs in the shower with warm water as this gives you softer hair and opened-up follicles which makes it easier to get a close, comfortable shave, so you’re less likely to feel new stubble later that day.
3. Exfoliate – You won’t get as clean of a shave if don’t you prep the area beforehand, especially if you’re prone to razor bumps and irritation. How come? If you don’t exfoliate, those dead skin cells can clog up the razor blade, which is what causes razor burn, says Bowe. Exfoliating first essentially creates a clean, even canvas for you to then remove hair.
4. Shaving Cream – While it may not seem that important shaving cream really is a useful tool when shaving as it causes less irritation and is kinder on the skin than bar soap. You can even make your own shaving cream for a healthier option.
5. Shave your legs – Beginning at your ankle, slowly and carefully shave upward. An upward leg shave ensures you’re shaving against the direction of hair growth, which provides a closer shave. While this is;t what you’ll want to do on your bikini line or when shaving other sensitive parts you shouldn’t have any adverse effects on your legs. Remember as long as your blade is sharp you won’t need to apply too much pressure for the hair removal process to do its job.
6. Rinse off your razor and legs – After your shave rinse off your razor as it’s going to be filled with hair, debris, and shaving cream. Also, rinse any leftover shaving cream from your legs. However, this time use cold water to close up your pores and stop any dirt from getting trapped.
7. Dry and moisturize – After drying off, use a lotion or oil to hydrate your legs. Moisturizing them will help prevent the little red bumps that can sometimes crop up after shaving.

Cleaning Your Razor

While you may think a quick rinse will suffice there are some extra steps you can implement into the process so your blade can squeeze a few extra uses out of it.

1. Run some hot water, this will work better when it comes to removing any hair buildup. Then hold the blade under the sink and allow the hair to wash away. You can also gently tap the side of the razor against the edge of the sink to help dislodge any hair or product.
2. Use some antibacterial soap on your razor. Then, hold it under the running water again and tap it lightly again if there’s any debris stuck in there.
3. Leave your razor to air dry. In fact, this should always be the case. This will prevent bacteria from growing on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to shave your legs wet or dry?

Before you begin shaving your legs, you should wet your skin and hair to help soften them. Instead, get into the bathtub or shower and wet your skin before picking up your razor.

Why are my legs prickly after shaving?

Your hair follicles continue to grow hair underneath your skin, and shaving can cause those follicles to become irritated. It’s this irritation that makes you feel itchy after you shave. The pull of a razor (especially a dull or used one) can twist or redirect the hair follicle when you shave.

Are you supposed to shave your thighs?

Some women don’t feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg. But it’s not a crime to do it. It’s a myth much like the common misconception that shaving makes your hair grow back thicker and faster.