How to Shave Your Legs

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Shave Your Legs Shave Your Legs

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Many women dread the return of summer, when their leg-shaving skills (or lack thereof) are put on display. Remember, not everyone loves a hairy legged damsel, so dust off your razors and read on. Below are some helpful shaving tips to get you through the season nick-free.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Shave in a warm shower or bath, if possible.
Step2
Wait a few minutes before starting to let the leg hair soften. If you take only showers, wait until the end of the shower to shave.
Step3
Sit on the ledge in your shower, if possible. If your shower has no place to sit, raise one leg against the wall of the shower and balance carefully.
Step4
Apply a small amount of shaving cream, rubbing it into a thick lather and spreading it over your leg. Avoid using soap in place of shaving cream, as it will dry out your skin.
Step5
Place the razor at the base of your ankle and pull gently up over your entire leg. If you experience severe razor burn, try shaving in the same direction as the hair growth. You may not get as clean a shave, but you'll avoid raising red bumps.
Step6
Rinse the blade between every stroke, and be sure to keep the razor wet while you're shaving.
Step7
Shave the entire leg until you've removed all the shaving cream.
Step8
Rinse.
Step9
Repeat for the other leg.
Step10
Pat dry and moisturize.

Tips & Warnings

  • Having your legs waxed at a salon is a nice alternative that also reduces overall hair growth. One drawback is that you'll have to wait for the hair to grow out before you can wax again'this can take 6 to 8 weeks. Expect to pay about $25 for a half-leg wax.
  • Dull blades can cause razor burn on sensitive skin.
  • Shaving areas where bone is close to the skin surface, such as ankles and knees, can result in painful cuts and nicks. If you cut your leg while shaving, get out of the bath quickly, as the hot water will increase blood flow. Dab the wound lightly with a styptic pencil. It will sting slightly, but the bleeding will stop. A touch of toilet tissue can also do the trick.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/27/2006 Start off by rinsing you legs with warm water, not hot or cold. Use a sharp razor to help prevent cuts and nicks. Use a conditioner with low pH in place of shaving cream or soap and water. Shave with long strokes. Take a loofah and some mild fragrance-free soap and scrub your legs to clean out the pores. Then rinse with cool water to close the pores. Apply a fragrance-free lotion or baby oil immediately after you get out of the shower/bath and before you dry your legs.

I wouldn't recommend shaving if you plan to go swimming or getting into a hot tub later in the day.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 To get rid of those gross pores after shaving, soak your legs in water for four minutes. Apply shaving cream for four more minutes, then shave. I also recommend not to use the cheap razors and shaving cream, they may be cheap but the don't work nearly as well as the more expensive razors or shaving cream.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Before you shave, exfoliate your skin with a scrub (I like St. Ives Apricot Scrub). This helps remove dead skin cells that can lead to ingrown hairs. Exfoliating also helps you get a closer shave.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 7/6/2006 If you really have sensitive skin, I've found it easy to use Veet on my bikini area before I shower. Afterward, cover that area with coca butter.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 3/17/2006 Don't use a guy's razor after it has been used, it will sting your legs and cause a rash.

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eHow Article:  How to Shave Your Legs

eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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