This way you say goodbye to skin irritation for good!
The first rays of sunshine appear, and that means that we are pulling out our sweetest dresses and flowiest skirts en masse. But every year it turns out to be quite a challenge to tackle your winter coat. The Glamial editors have therefore taken a closer look at the do’s and don’ts regarding shaving your legs.
Shave legs
In 2024, more and more ladies are choosing not to worry about the hair growing on their kitty paws. And let’s face it: that’s totally okay! But if you do choose to treat your legs with a razor, you better make sure it’s done right, nun?
Common mistakes when shaving can cause irritated skin, ingrown hairs, and other skin problems. And of course we want to prevent that!
Good preparation
As with so many beauty routines, good preparation is half the battle. Skincare experts Karen Young, Helene Caillate, and Dr. Heather Rogers tells Women’s Wear Daily that no matter what, you have to make sure you take your time. Being hasty is rarely a good thing, and that’s even more true when you’re dealing with razor blades.
Step one of a successful hair removal session is exfoliating your skin. Of course, you don’t have to scrub your legs raw, but with a light scrub you can remove dead skin cells. And that is crucial to prevent ingrown hairs! No scrub at hand? In any case, make sure that your stilts are properly washed. Otherwise, you run the risk of your blade becoming clogged with lotions or dead skin cells.
Rogers also recommends shaving your legs at the end of a shower. Your skin will then become nice and warm and soft due to the warm water. This gives you plenty of time to give your locks an extra strong conditioner!
go away
Good: your legs have been scrubbed clean, your skin has warmed up nicely, and now the big moment has arrived. While many people choose to simply shave their legs with shower water, Rogers recommends opting for shaving foam or shower gel. “This makes it easy for the blade to glide gently over your skin,” she explains.
It is of course also wise to choose a clean, sharp blade. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends replacing your blade every five to seven shaves.
Knife at the ready? Then the big question is which direction to shave. “Shave against the direction of growth,” advises Dr. Rogers. That can sometimes be quite a job, because just like the hair on your head, your leg hair can grow in different directions. So check this in advance.
Shaving in long, slow strokes achieves the best results. Let the blades do their work and do not press on your skin. That’s how wounds form! Rinse your razor regularly in between uses to ensure that they can continue to do their job.
Aftercare
You may think you’re done now, but you can also help the skin on your legs afterwards. For example, Young suggests: “Use an oil or moisturizer after shaving, and make sure your skin is well hydrated every day to prevent ingrown hairs.”
She also recommends exfoliating your legs again about two days after shaving. This way, your skin will remain silky soft in the long term and you will prevent all kinds of annoying ailments.
Source: Women’s Wear Daily | Image: Adobe Stock
