Get Smooth Legs

When you get that perfect new mini skirt or little black dress, the whole outfit can be ruined by hairy legs. Do you want to shave your legs and get them as smooth and silky as possible? Then start with Step 1 for super smooth, sexy, sleek legs that will have people staring at them.

Steps

Prepping Your Legs

  1. Get the water going. Make sure the shower (or bath) is warm to open pores, which will give you a closer shave. Avoid using hot water, which can dry out your skin and increase risks of razor burn. Take your usual shower, or bath, to allow the leg hair to soften.
    • You want to give your legs a solid 5 minutes or so taking in the hydration. So go about your routine, shampooing, conditioning, and hit your legs last. And if your shower doesn't have a nice ledge to prop your foot on, hop out of the shower and start shaving while your legs are still wet.
  2. Exfoliate your legs. Use a loofah and an exfoliating cream to remove dead skin cells and align your hairs. This is very important; exfoliating reduces your likelihood of getting ingrown hairs. It will help your skin be clear and your leg hairs will be as exposed as possible for a close shave.[1]
    • You can use an exfoliating body wash or, if you're feeling crafty, you could make your own sugar scrub! Just scrub it on, taking your time, wherever you want to shave and rinse it off.
  3. Apply shaving cream. Squirt a nice, plump dollop into your hand and lather up on your legs as if it were shampoo. Be sure to cover every spot, including down to the ankle. Create a light layer over your leg; too thick a layer can clog your razor.
    • If you don't have shaving cream, you can always use soap, conditioner, shampoo, body wash, or shower gel. However, do note that shaving cream is best -- especially the moisturizing kind with aloe or jojoba.[2] Gels are great for reducing cuts and nicks, but lotions take the crown when it comes to hydrating.[3]
    • The only time you should not be using shaving cream is if it comes built-in on your razor. Otherwise you have to, have to, have to use some type of protection for your skin against the blade.

Shaving Your Legs

  1. Use a fresh razor to shave your legs. Most run-of-the-mill razors are good for about 5 times, depending on how well you take care of them. But your best shave will be when the razor is brand spanking new.
    • Shave up your legs, against the grain for a close shave. For a shave that has minimal risk of bumps and burn, shave with the grain. And you're best off taking short strokes -- the razor becomes more ineffective as the strokes get longer.[1]
    • Rinse the razor under a stream of water after each stroke. Be sure to tackle around the ankles and knees, adding extra shaving cream as necessary on these tricky spots.
  2. Rinse your legs with cool water. Cool water will close the pores (keep this is mind for the hair on your head, too!). Pat your legs dry, taking care not to rub them vigorously.
    • Take the time now to inspect your legs. If there's a place you missed, you can go back and do it now. The worst is finding a patch when you're already out and about!
  3. Apply a thick layer of lotion. Use a thick moisturizer, such as body butter, if you have particularly dry skin. Rub in a generous amount, concentrating on the ankles and knees once again to keep them supple. This stage should also not be skipped -- you just took a blade to your legs, for Pete's sake! Give them back some moisture by rubbing on some lotion.

Exploring Alternative Methods

  1. Try getting a wax. While it hurts a lot more than shaving (unless you cut yourself badly, of course), the results last much, much longer. You'll have smooth legs for weeks -- none of this one or two day crap you get with shaving.[4] If you find shaving to be a drag, waxing may be your best bet.
    • And good news! Many women say it gets less and less painful each time you do it. So bite the bullet now -- it'll pay off later.
    • Don't want to break the bank! Make your own at-home sugar wax and do it yourself!
  2. Experiment with depilatory creams. Technology is getting better and better and, thankfully, depilatory creams are, too. It used to be that they reeked like roadkill in a broken refrigerator and didn't really work, anyway. Now there are creams that smell like a field of daisies and can get your legs hairless down to the root. And it's much cheaper than getting a wax at a salon!
    • If you have sensitive skin, this probably isn't the way to go. There are harsh chemicals that eat away at your hairs -- obviously not the best route for skin that's delicate.
  3. Invest in an electric epilator. They're a little expensive and a little painful, but it's a possible alternative. Electric epilators are devices that yank out the hairs from the root in groups, like a large, super-effective pair of tweezers. And because the hair is being taken out at the root, your legs are smoother for a lot longer than they would be if you just shaved.
  4. If you're serious, consider laser hair removal. If none of these options trips your trigger and you've got a wad of cash you need to get rid of, why not do laser hair removal? Sometimes it's painful and usually more than one round under the beam is necessary, but imagine never having to worry about shaving again. Bliss!
    • Sometimes it's not always permanent -- you may have to go back for fix-ups, kind of like taking your car to the mechanic. While this method sounds almost magical, there are definite drawbacks that need to be considered before taking action.[4] Talk to your dermatologist beforehand.



Tips

  • Shave with conditioner. Believe it or not, it makes your legs smoother!
  • If you don't have shaving foam, use conditioner. It works just as well.
  • When you shave, shave upwards to cut the hair. Then, shave downwards to get the hair to grow back in a nice way.
  • Never shave with a dull razor. Dull razors cause friction and will cause shaving bumps.
  • Use baby oil for a smooth shiny look.
  • Take your time and don't rush; you could end up making a very bad job of it.
  • Baby lotion also helps after you shave. It makes your legs smooth and softens your hair when it grows back.
  • If you have pretty dry legs you need to moisturize otherwise when the hair starts to grow back it will feel rough and unpleasant.
  • Be careful around ankles and knees. These areas are uneven and difficult to shave. You may want to use cream for these areas.
  • Consider using Coco Butter Cream. It smells good and is a great moisturiser for your skin.
  • If you do nick yourself while shaving, try dabbing on some antiseptic cream or lotion to help heal the cut faster.
  • You can use conditioner instead of shaving cream and moisturize afterwards. It will make your legs much softer and smoother.
  • If you don't have shaving cream, use baby oil when shaving your legs.
  • Make sure your exfoliation lotion has solid beads in it, bursting beads and moisture beads won't really work.
  • Generally in most cases, a more expensive razor will yield better results. Consider how the extra cost may be worth it.
  • If you use an oil-based sugar scrub, rinse it just enough to get rid of the sugar part and shave, your legs become super soft. A brown sugar scrub also smells amazing, and you can use massage oil, coconut oil, or whatever you prefer.
  • If you cut yourself while shaving, put some chapstick on the cut.
  • Try not shaving your legs for 2 weeks; it will be smoother when you shave.
  • For first timers, try shaving, but since there are down-sides to shaving such as re-growth and stubble, you may want to consider getting them waxed. Gather up your courage and get an appointment today - you won't regret it. You'll have silky smooth legs that last for four months. No more messing around with razors in the shower.
  • If you're not that good with shaving your knees and you nick yourself a lot, try using something like Nair so it will be smooth and nick-free and will not have as bad stubble!
  • While shaving, constantly apply water and rinse off the blade after every few strokes.
  • Put on lotion after you shave, it makes your legs feel super soft.
  • When shopping for razors, get one that has at least 5 blades or more.

Warnings

  • A sharp, newer razor works best. Don't use a blunt or rusty razor. Dull razors require more pressure, which can make cuts more likely.
  • Don't shave when your legs are dry. It is extremely bad for your skin and will create more scrapes if you don't use soap or shaving cream. It is also very likely that you get acne-like bumps forming on the skin where you have shaved.
  • Be careful using hair-removal creams. Half of the ingredients of Nair and other hair removal products are there to repair the skin damage that the hair removal agent caused in the first place.
  • It has also been said that if you have shaved for a long time, hair removal creams can feel uncomfortable, leave redness and, depending on the person, a rash. After using it for awhile it will stop, but the transition is easier with waxing.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Disposable razor
  • Loofah
  • Body scrub
  • Shaving cream
  • Lotion
  • Soft towel

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.teenvogue.com/beauty/skin-care/2013-06/shaving-tips-for-smooth-skin
  2. ↑ http://www.lifescript.com/life/looks/fix-its/4_secrets_to_smooth_sexy_legs.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/25/shaving-legs-tips_n_1540355.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.lifescript.com/life/looks/fix-its/hair_removal_methods_for_silky-smooth_legs.aspx
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