How To

How to Shave Your Legs

How to Shave Your Legs
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(106 Ratings)

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.

From Quick Guide: Women's Guide to Grooming
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Shave in a warm shower or bath, if possible.

  2. Step 2

    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.

  3. Step 3

    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.

  4. Step 4

    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.

  5. Step 5

    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.

  6. Step 6

    Rinse the blade between every stroke, and be sure to keep the razor wet while you're shaving.

  7. Step 7

    Shave the entire leg until you've removed all the shaving cream.

  8. Step 8

    Rinse.

  9. Step 9

    Repeat for the other leg.

  10. Step 10

    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  

| View All 76 Comments
Flag This Comment

on 12/2/2008 'The Swerve' works best.

http://www.theswerve.com

Jenjen8186 said

Flag This Comment

on 3/5/2007 Umm yeah i have used baby oil recently and it does make my legs alot softer. But i have other issues, like when i shave i get red bumps all over and they itch and burn badly that i have to wear shorts after i get out the shower bcuz pants will irritate my legs even more. Even know i hate wearing shorts thats why i shave at night. Plus after i shave the hair is still there is shorter but its still there so i hate wearing shorts so i never do during the summer and i dont understand why because it didnt start til i was like 17 or 18 and im 20 now i just really want it to go away its so embarrasing and makes me feel unsexy!! So plz help me how can i make my legs actually look like they did when i was younger like i actually shaved them. Someone plz im asking, Email me at jenjen8186@yahoo.com i will take all of her suggestions and try all of them thanks a bunch:)
Jennifer

Flag This Comment

on 2/19/2007 Does this also apply to the Vaginal region? I would like to shave my vagina bare, but I fear that the bumpy red bumps will appear and be gross for my boyfriend when he goes down on me....please help.

Flag This Comment

on 2/19/2007 Does this also apply to the Vaginal region? I would like to shave my vagina bare, but I fear that the bumpy red bumps will appear and be gross for my boyfriend when he goes down on me....please help.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 8/8/2006 Consider why you shave at all.
Is it because you want to feel sexy? Why does hairlessness equal sexy in our culture, when, in fact, women's bodies are naturally hairy?
Is it because hairy legs are "gross" in your perception? Perhaps, though, that perception is based on these cultural standards of femininity.
Shaving should be a personal decision, not something that someone feels pressured to do.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

eHow Article: How to Shave Your Legs

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care
eHow_eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care