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Good shaving method is necessary as a result of dry legs are extra vulnerable to irritation and razor burn. Whereas simply fixing your shaving errors may also help you get clean, gentle pores and skin each time, we needed to up the ante by making our personal super-nourishing coconut oil shaving cream. No shock, we beloved it!
The best way to Shave Your Legs—9 Suggestions for the Good Shave!
Right here’s a recipe for home made shaving cream, together with 9 suggestions for getting the right shave.
1. Begin with the Proper Instruments
A very good razor is important. Toss that previous, uninteresting one you’ve been utilizing, and substitute it with one which has a number of blades. Seize a mild exfoliating scrub (skip the loofah as they carry quite a lot of horrible micro organism that may introduce an infection [source]) and your shaving cream, and head to the bathe or bathtub.
How usually do you have to swap out your razor blade? If it’s any greater than 10 shaves, you then’re utilizing an previous, uninteresting, and probably infectious blade. For legs we just like the Schick Instinct Razor with Coconut Milk and Almond Oil. It’s infused with coconut milk and almond oil to lather, moisturize, and shave on the similar time.
2. Soften Pores and skin in Heat Water
Open pores imply a more in-depth shave. So save the shaving for final, and wash your hair whilst you let the nice and cozy water soften your pores and skin first. You’ll get a more in-depth shave and forestall razor burn.
3. Exfoliate Earlier than Shaving
Take a couple of further minutes to exfoliate earlier than you shave. A fast scrub will do away with lifeless pores and skin and assist clear away pore blockages that might result in ingrown hairs. Use a sanitized exfoliator or one in every of these fall physique scrubs to slough off dry pores and skin.
Exfoliating, whether or not by chemical or handbook strategies, may also help slough off and loosen lifeless pores and skin cells within the space you’re shaving. This makes the formation of razor bumps much less probably.
A very good exfoliator to make use of earlier than shaving is Glytone Exfoliating Physique Wash, which is glycolic acid-based, so it could assist chemically exfoliate the pores and skin pre-shave.
Simply notice that exfoliating might be laborious on pores and skin, so be sure that and do it gently, so that you don’t fire up pores and skin irritation, after which wait a couple of minutes earlier than shaving. Additionally, I don’t suggest doing it after you shave—moisturizing is greatest [source].
4. Use a Moisturizing Shaving Cream
After you exfoliate, apply this DIY moisture-rich shaving cream to melt the hair.
Coconut oil shaving cream
—1/4 cup aloe vera gel (you may as well use a pure conditioner for those who don’t have aloe vera)
—1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil (you should use common coconut oil, however fractionated coconut oil gained’t harden in cooler temperatures)
—4–6 drops important oil, reminiscent of peppermint, tea tree, or lavender
—1 tablespoon Castile cleaning soap, optionally available for those who’d prefer to have it suds up a bit
Directions
1. Soften the coconut oil and mix it with the aloe. Stir it collectively and retailer in a plastic container.
2. Add the important oil of your option to the combination. Peppermint will give a cooling sensation, lavender is soothing, and tea tree is an efficient antiseptic for those who lower your self [source].
3. If coconut oil hardens or separates between makes use of, put the container below the bathe stream earlier than shaving to heat it up.
4. Apply a skinny layer to the pores and skin, and let it sit a few minutes earlier than shaving.
5. Retailer leftover shaving cream within the lavatory for as much as 2 months.
Why it really works
The aloe will soften hair and act as an anti-inflammatory [source], whereas the coconut oil moisturizes pores and skin, serving to to stop razor burn and pores and skin irritation. They’re each recognized to have antibacterial results, which assist to stop pores and skin infections.
5. Use the proper shave method
You could have a brand new razor (proper??), your hair is gentle, and the pores are open—you’re able to shave! And I want somebody had informed me this earlier, however it’s all about method. Listed below are a couple of shaving suggestions for the smoothest legs possible:
1. Bend your knee barely and gently pull the pores and skin taut.
2. Let up on the stress. Shaving with an excessive amount of stress causes pores and skin irritation [source]. Attempt to maintain it gentle and delicate. Glide the razor calmly over pores and skin, going with the course of hair development. As any skincare professional will let you know, it’s important that you simply all the time shave in the identical course that your hair grows.
3. Keep away from shaving the identical space an excessive amount of. Shaving the identical space time and again simply results in cuts, razor burn, and irritation [source]. For those who’re having to shave a number of instances, then it’s time to interchange your razor blade.
4. Watch out over thin-skin areas just like the ankles, backs of knees, and shins. These are further vulnerable to cuts and bumps.
5. Keep heat. Shaving over goosebumps makes for an uneven floor the place chopping every hair is difficult.
6. Rinse + Pat
Rinse with cool water, and pat dry with a gentle towel. Don’t rub; that can irritate pores and skin.
7. Apply Moisturizer
Although our coconut oil shaving cream is fairly moisturizing, when you have dry pores and skin, it’s greatest to use a mild moisturizer after toweling off. Tender, well-moisturized pores and skin may also go a great distance in serving to forestall razor bumps.
A easy physique oil is ideal for making use of post-shave for soothing pores and skin and locking in moisture [source]. Strive including 6–10 drops of anti-inflammatory sandalwood important oil to an oz. of sunshine oil, like grapeseed or candy almond, for a fast aftershave balm.
Wait not less than half-hour earlier than making use of scented lotions, deodorants, or sunscreen. Your pores and skin may be very delicate after shaving, so it’s necessary to depart the pores and skin alone for a bit.
Some lotions could make the sting worse, so consider making use of a ceramide-based moisturizer to assist rebuild the pores and skin barrier operate, like Ceramedx Restoring Physique Lotion, which is fragrance-free and accommodates each ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate pores and skin. Change to a heavier moisturizer in winter, or simply slather your self in coconut oil.
8. Soothe Razor Burn and Bumps
Often known as ingrown hairs, razor bumps are pimple-like spots across the hair follicles that usually happen with shaving. Topical functions to assist calm the pores and skin might be useful.
Aloe vera is the right antidote to the dreaded purple bumps. Apply aloe vera or this cooling razor burn spray to any rashes for immediate cooling, soothing reduction.
Simply don’t attempt to choose them out with a tweezer, as that may shortly result in an an infection and scarring. As a substitute, proceed with mild exfoliation and moisturizing to assist loosen the trapped hair.
9. Gradual Down Hair Development
Proceed to softly exfoliate between shaving to gradual the speed of latest hair development.
Keep away from These Frequent Shaving Errors
Shaving as quickly as you get within the bathe
Moisten the pores and skin for not less than 3 minutes earlier than making use of your shave cream. Warmth helps to melt the hair and loosen up hair follicles. Hydrating the hair shaft earlier than shaving causes it to swell and prevents the sharp edges that find yourself inflicting razor bumps [source], so shaving your legs final is your greatest guess.
Not altering your razor
Shaving is of course laborious on pores and skin. Not solely are nicks and cuts par for the course, however open, broken hair follicles are a hotbed for micro organism. To forestall an infection, irritation, and irritation, swap out your razor blade repeatedly. It turns into an previous, uninteresting, and probably infectious razor blade after about 10 shaves.
Utilizing water to shave
Ever marvel why males lather up a superb shave cream earlier than busting out the razor? You’ll discover a distinction when utilizing a superb home made shaving cream somewhat than simply water. It makes the entire course of a lot simpler on pores and skin! You’ll get fewer nicks and cuts, and it’s further moisturizing, which is simply what pores and skin wants when shaving.
The one time I get razor burn is once I’m in a rush and attempt to shave with simply water. And boy, do I remorse it later!
Shaving within the mistaken course
In case you have delicate pores and skin, strive shaving your legs in downward strokes with the grain. Shaving in opposition to the grain causes the sharp tip of the lower hair to retract into the follicle—a set-up for forming ingrown hairs [source].
Not letting your razor dry
Letting your razor dry out between showers does a few issues. For starters, it retains micro organism from taking over residence between the blades. Second, sitting in water dulls and oxidizes (rusts!) the razor, making it extra vulnerable to trigger irritation.
Rinse your razor nicely and punctiliously dry it off with a clear, dry towel after each use. Then put it someplace out of the way in which the place it gained’t get splashed and shall be dry for subsequent time.
Selecting
Selecting at ingrown hairs can shortly result in an an infection and scarring. Use an ingrown hair scrub to softly exfoliate and assist loosen the trapped hair.
For the occasional bump that begins to itch, to maintain you from scratching and making it worse, you’ll be able to apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment for 1–2 days to reduce irritation. However it’s greatest to discover pure treatments for stopping ingrown hairs in the event that they turn out to be an everyday drawback.
Shaving daily
Shaving daily isn’t essential. Often, the hair doesn’t develop again that quick, and shaving removes a layer of pores and skin cells every time, which takes a toll in your pores and skin.
Shaving much less usually has additionally been related to a lower in ingrown hairs [source]. For many, it’s higher to shave a couple of times per week throughout pool season and even much less usually throughout the winter.
Shaving FAQs
Will putting a heat towel over my legs for a few minutes assist open my pores even additional?
I swear by the ol’ spa heat towel trick for softening pores and skin and opening pores on the face, so it would most likely do the identical in your legs. Simply keep in mind, you don’t need the towel to be so sizzling that it burns you. So long as it’s heat sufficient to create steam, it ought to do the trick.
Can I exploit contemporary aloe vera gel in my shaving cream?
Sure, you’ll be able to, however contemporary aloe vera has a brief shelf life. You’ll must retailer your shaving cream within the fridge and use inside 2–3 days to maintain it from rising mildew.
Even after utilizing shaving cream, I nonetheless get ingrown hairs. Any suggestions?
Ingrown hairs are tough little buggers, aren’t they? If the above suggestions nonetheless don’t get you the gams of your desires, this publish is filled with methods for tackling razor bumps of every kind.
I’ve had issues with coconut oil inflicting breakouts. Will this make razor burn or ingrown hairs worse for me?
It’s true that coconut oil can tend to be comedogenic (inflicting breakouts) for some individuals because of the kind of fat it accommodates [source]. For those who’ve had bother with coconut oil inflicting breakouts previously, I like to recommend utilizing a pure oil from a high-quality model reminiscent of Dr. Bronner’s. It’s the one model I exploit on my face because it doesn’t wreck my pores and skin, and it must be nice for legs as nicely.
Why aren’t my legs completely clean after shaving?
In relation to shaving, the nearer you will get to the hair root, the smoother your legs shall be. Which means exfoliating, utilizing a pointy razor, and taming post-shave irritation each single time.
However for those who’re nonetheless battling stubble, you would possibly need to give sugar waxing a strive. We cowl the ins and outs of creating your personal sugar wax at house in this publish.
Why does my pores and skin sting after shaving?
Razor burn is most frequently brought on by dry shaving or utilizing an previous razor. Lots of the suggestions we talked about earlier, reminiscent of changing your razor usually, letting the nice and cozy water soften pores and skin, and utilizing a moisture-rich shaving cream, may also help forestall razor burn.
Will making use of physique oil after shaving clog my pores?
No, it shouldn’t! Simply be sure that to decide on a non-comedogenic oil, like jojoba, candy almond, or safflower oil.
Will shaving make my tan fade quicker?
Nope, that’s an previous wives’ story. Tanning takes place within the deeper layers of pores and skin, so even when shaving removes the outermost layer of pores and skin cells, the layers beneath will nonetheless retain some coloration.
Is it okay to shave with out water if I‘m in a rush?
Dry shaving is okay in a pinch—so don’t make it a behavior. Shaving with out water is a surefire solution to find yourself with ingrown hairs [source], razor burn, and a heckuva lot of nicks.
Pure Shaving Picks
Greatest for bikini line: Venus for Pubic Hair & Pores and skin This razor’s double blades take away hair with minimal pores and skin contact to reduce irritation in your most delicate spots.
Greatest for legs: Schick Instinct Razor with Coconut Milk and Almond Oil
This razor is infused with coconut milk and almond oil to lather and moisturize, leaving your legs clean and permitting for a exact shave.
Greatest for underarms: pleasure Ladies’s Razor
The (pink!) non-slip deal with is ideal for harder-to-reach areas, reminiscent of your underarms—and bonus factors for the 5 tremendous sharp blades.
Greatest electrical: Panasonic Electrical Shaver
The three ultra-sharp blades intently observe the contour of your pores and skin, whether or not you’re shaving your legs, underarms, or different areas.
Greatest security razor: Zomchi Double Edge Security Razor
For an environmentally pleasant shave, go for security razors. This one gives a extremely shut shave and doesn’t trigger rashes or darkish spots.
Shaving cream: NOW Options Nutri-Shave Cream
For clean, nourished, wholesome pores and skin, this all-natural shaving cream is soothing and protecting, excellent for delicate areas.
This publish was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with in depth expertise in medical, beauty, and surgical dermatology. Study extra about Howdy Glow’s medical reviewers right here. As all the time, this isn’t private medical recommendation, and we suggest that you simply speak along with your physician.
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