Help, I can't shave my legs!

[Graverobber9]

For the past three years I've been struggling with this. Whenever I shave my legs I ALWAYS get razor burn. I don't get razor burn on any other parts of my body, just my legs. The worst part is my legs are now completely disfigured by razor burn, hypoinflammation, and general scarring. My legs are a complete disaster.  I use Nair now, but I absolutely hate using it. .  I'm still pre HRT, so I'm praying that it will help my skin become more receptive of shaving. Does anyone have tips on this matter?

Thanks

[Cindy]

I use the Schick Intuition razor that has an inbuilt soap dispenser that smooths the skin as you shave. I always shave in the shower after a nice warm shower to relax everything.

You can get them waxed which would be a good start.

Cindy

[BunnyBee]

Wouldn't shaving over razor burn just keep the razor burn refreshed?  Maybe you should give them a break, which nair should let you do.

I don't have much leg hair left, but I still use (mild) conditioner on mine while I shave them so I don't end up shaving my skin.  Paul Mitchell "The Conditioner" is great for so many things.  There is leg shaving cream too if you want to try that.

[Graverobber9]

I haven't shaved my legs almost all year. I've just been using Nair.  Despite that, my razor burn has not healed.

[AprilAero]

maybe stop shaving for awhile and try having them waxed at a professional salon.

Also those hair removal creams you are using, you are suppose to wait I think 72 hours since you last shaved . The Nair can cause irratation in most cases if you have shaved recently.

[Cindy]

Nair is may be irritating the skin

[AprilAero]

Sometimes even if you have not shaved the cream can still cause irratation.

[findingreason]

I got sensitive skin problems so razor burn has been something I've dealt with before...but I found using something as simple as a small layer of hair conditioner on your legs can help a lot when shaving them. After searching through several razors too, I found the Schick Quattro Titanium razors were the nicest to my skin. They get a close shave, and tend to have a fairly decent life to them as well.

I hope this helps!

[AprilAero]

Also I have found that Exfoliation helps too, and also they might be really dry, but the once you get on HRT the follicles will get softer, or well less coarse as, as the hairs will get less noticable.

you want to look into getting some quality lotion , I use Aveeno Active Naturals. try that.

I sometimes have a similar issue with mine but that they are really itchy after I shave and get out of the shower.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,101979.0.html

[Forever21Chic]

For the past three years I've been struggling with this. Whenever I shave my legs I ALWAYS get razor burn. I don't get razor burn on any other parts of my body, just my legs. The worst part is my legs are now completely disfigured by razor burn, hypoinflammation, and general scarring. My legs are a complete disaster.  I use Nair now, but I absolutely hate using it. .  I'm still pre HRT, so I'm praying that it will help my skin become more receptive of shaving. Does anyone have tips on this matter?

Thanks

    Start waxing your legs, it hurts and is a pain but lasts alot longer then shaving or nair & you don't get razor burns yay!! I use veet wax stripes 1 box costs about $10 dollars and comes with like 20 double sided stripes. Like the other girls said if you have to shave with a razor don't skimp on the shaving cream and try using some conditioner to soften the skin up.

I haven't shaved my legs almost all year. I've just been using Nair.  Despite that, my razor burn has not healed.

    I had this problem too, try exfoliating your legs every 2-3 days, this scrubs away the dead skin cells and smooths out your skin. Also make sure to moisturize your legs daily with lotion. Another product i found that is good for getting rid of razor bumps is witch hazel, it's really good for razor burn, insect bites and just about anything! 


   If none of the above helps then contact a dermatologist.

[azSam]

I've heard of nair causing problems. My mother swore that when she used it that it burned her legs.

Are you sure it's razor burn and not folliculitis? Do you get red bumps around where the hair follicle should sprout? This happens because the hair is coarse and shaved just beneath the surface of the skin, causing the hair to grow back just under the skin and causing minor infections. I used to get folliculitis terribly bad everywhere on my body. HRT helped clean it up though.

Give your legs a break. Try to let them heal. I suggest keeping products off of them. After they've healed, try shaving again; but this time do it in the shower, after the warm water has had some time to raise and soften the hairs some. Use a good razor, I personally use the Gillette Venus; and use some good shaving cream, I use very creamy body wash instead.

Edit: Err, I typed this up like 90 minutes ago and thought I pressed "Post" but hit "preview" so it never posted.

[JungianZoe]

After searching through several razors too, I found the Schick Quattro Titanium razors were the nicest to my skin.

That's exactly the type I use as well.  And when shaving my legs, I use an organic shaving lotion called Kiss My Face (you can get it at Whole Foods and most natural foods markets if they sell bath products).  A little bit goes a long way and a bottle lasts over twice as long as the cans of body shaving cream I find for cheap, so the price is really a wash.  Especially if you find it on sale.

Since I started using that lotion for shaving, all of my problems with red bumps disappeared.  Of course, now they're coming back with the cold weather since I have to wear more clothing and I get bad reactions to laundry soaps.

[ativan]

A double blade razor with the little buzzing motor does work quite well. Nair is basically drain cleaner with a few neutralizers added. It's ok, but follow the directions to the T.
If you can't find a twin blade, the other multi blades are just fine. Shower and clean first the soap or conditioner works wonders. Conditioner takes longer, but does leave your skin in better shape. It's those little buzz motors that helps the most, and rinse the blade like crazy.

Ativan

[Forever21Chic]

I've heard of nair causing problems. My mother swore that when she used it that it burned her legs.

   Yeah 4realz, i had a bad exp with nair. I left it on my legs to long and it like melted away parts of my skin....yeah no joke it took months for my skin to heal and it looked so ugly *shivers*    Also if you get it on your nails it will dissolve them like acid!     

[AprilAero]

Also one thing you could do , but this would be very expensive is have professional Laser hair removal done in salon, it would likely cost thousands but if you have the money for it would probably be worth it because it would eliminate the problem all together,

tho this is likely out of reach , it certainly is for me. but it is just something to consider.

you could also try the tria laser.

I suggest you look into Veet it works nicely on my lower legs but my upper legs are a bit too sensitive for it.

[JessicaH]

Shaving my legs before HRT was total misery. Chaffing, itching, ingrown hairs...  After just a few months of HRT, it became no problem at all and I only have to shave about twice a week to stay smooth now after 9 months HRT.

[Ann Onymous]

silly question, but how old of a razor is being used?  THAT could be making a BIG difference with regard to the burn being described...there is a reason couples get upset when their spouse or significant other is ALSO using the razor while in the bath or shower.

[ByeBye]

some parts pf my legs = smooth as a baby.

others = stubbly. 

[rylielove]

i had the same problem before HRT - it still happens occasionally so im going to shoot lasers at them!!

[SandraJane]

Let's see...

-Razors; Schick Quattro & Intuition, Gillitte Venus. Have used all 3, found the Quattro works best, same as the Intuition, but w/o the soap
               strip, costs less. Venus works better on my arms though.

-Depilatories; Nair, Veet. Strong Base or Alkali solutions, they will burn the skin. Best not to use if there are any skin cuts or irritations.

-Waxing; Good but messy, not to mention sticky! May cause bruising, especially on the inner thighs, painful,but last longer. If you are not
                meticulous and good with your hands best to have done by a pro at a Salon ($$$).

-HRT; Those on HRT are reporting less problems and less hair growth.

-Laser; Permanent solution, is expensive, guesstimate avg $500.00 per session for both legs, 4-6 sessions avg = $2,000 -3,000.00!

I suspect you live in a more Northerly location, cold & dry, little sun on legs...may be getting shaving Folliculitis, possibly Eczema. Try not shaving or using Nair or anything for at least a month, then consider using one of the mentioned razors, a fragrance-free body wash or liquid baby soap, makes for a slicker shaving surface. I use Aveeno Fragrance-free Body Wash plus K-Y Jelly (generic will do), mix the 2 together and slather it on your "wet" legs! Turn the shower head to the side to avoid washing it off. Consider at least 2 shaves, first in the direction of hair growth, second against the direction or "grain"

Knees and ankles more prone to nicks, so keep a tube of Neosporin handy to dab on the cuts afterwards. Pay attention the direction of hair growth, it can be different for each area of the leg, especially the Upper Leg/Thigh.

It takes time and good technique, so please be patient, also moisturize your legs afterwards. You want to avoid clogging the pores. I found that Avon's Skin So Soft and Dove's line of Oil Body Wash's work for me, use to use Emu Oil mixed with Sweet Almond Oil, one of my cat's liked it and would lick it off of my legs! Talk about exfoliation But it is expensive. Another previous suggestion is to exfoliate the legs 24hrs before shaving and no sooner than 24 hrs afterwards, in time this will no longer be needed as the shaving will do this.

In the end...find what works best for you! A lot of great input and items  suggested so you should find something that works well for you!