Problem shaving my legs

[Leah443]

Well as the title says I have a problem with shaving my legs. the problem being that when i do, my legs get irritated and ugly red bumps spring up on my legs and i could really use help on this. any would be appreciated

[Andaya]

This is super common! I get it on the tops of my thighs occasionally. Suggestions: Don't press too hard, the razor should glide over the skin, especially in sensitive areas. Also, try shaving gels/creams that are designed to minimize bumps (I've seen a few at the Pharmacy). Make sure your razor blades are sharp and fresh, and not dull from overuse. On days when you aren't shaving, perhaps try to exfoliate and clear up the skin with a body wash.

Anyhow, those are random suggestions to try, I wish you luck!

[Jessica Merriman]

Try Skintimate shave gel also.

[Taka]

try something other than shaving. my leg get itchy from shaving, only way to lessen it is to shave with the growth direction. can't get smooth legs that way, but at least they won't look hairy.

hair removal cream works better for me if i need smooth legs, doesn't itch at all. waxing is too much work for me after i quit pretending to be a woman, but that used to be my favorite. i don't need much water for it, it doesn't itch much, though it can sting a little the first day or two, and it lasts longer.

[FTMDiaries]

As others have mentioned, the bumps are generally caused by shaving against the grain, or using a blunt razor, or not using the right kind of foam.

Hair removal creams are of limited use because they don't usually remove all the hairs. But you might want to try using one to get rid of the bulk of hair, and shaving what's left. Electric shavers keep the skin smooth but you'd probably have to shave your legs every day if you went down this route.

There are razors and shaving foams on the market specifically designed for women; try these out if you're not using them already because they tend to give better results for leg hair. In all honesty, back when I used to shave my legs I used to use ordinary soap as a lubricant, because it worked better for me than shaving foam (particularly men's shaving foam, which isn't very good for shaving legs & pits).

[Pippa]

Use a razor for sensitive skin and use an approrpiate shaving gel or cream.  There are other options out there such as waxing and epilators which may at first give what appears to be a similar reaction, in the long run will give smoother legs.

Also, buy and use a sensitive skin body lotion.

[Cindy Stephens]

I know it sounds odd, but try any hair conditioner for the lubricant.  Picked up tip at S.C.C at a cosmetics seminar.  Have tried it, works great, but miss the smell of skintimate gel.

[Lesley_Roberta]

I shave daily and I shave aggressively and I shave with and against the grain. I frequently use a cheap twin blade to death and and I am not afraid to press.

I also bath not shower though. It must be a factor. I also pour the water and then I squirt in a few good bursts of soap loaded up with moisturizers and body butters (I find bubble bath soap a waste of effort, better effect with actual soap). I then go over myself after shaving with my usual body soap which as mentioned is a form of intense skin care based concept.

My skin seems to actually like the regular dose of upper layer removal somehow. I usually will apply a body lotion after if my legs will be exposed in shorts. Never hurts and adds to a nice smell.

Your skin might be more sensitive than mine, but I do know this much, I sure push it to the limits. As I see it, part of being a woman is it takes that extra span of time indulging the skin. Girls are not born soft, they are made that way deliberately

[Jennygirl]

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Use any razor / soap / gel / whatever you want and go against the grain for a super smooth shave. Just don't forget to exfoliate! It's common at first to get irritation from shaving a new area, you have to train the hair to grow more straight out rather than at an angle like our leg hairs normally do.

Now that my hair is trained, I barely even have to exfoliate and I never get bumps. At first, it was like... crazy, yo

[Lo]

I've shaved every other day (legs, bikini, arms, pits) for years now, and I've learned some things along the way. I have pale, sensitive skin and thick dark hair, so a really close shave is important to me.

Two things, really:

1. Fresh razors. I shave all the aforementioned stuff about 3 times a week, and a razor will last me 2 weeks. Also, the more blades, the better for me. I stopped getting razor burn after switching to a 5-blade razor.

2. Exfoliate. Once I started exfoliating in the shower before shaving, I stopped needing to use creams and gels (which never worked that well for me anyway). I usually just give my legs a good scrubbing with a wash cloth beforehand, and that does the trick. About once a week I'll use a moisturizing salt scrub before using the wash cloth, but if you use any sort of oil or butter-based product, you have to wash it off with a little soapy water otherwise it'll gunk up the razor.

Keeping your legs moisturized I'm sure helps shaving (it helps to make dark hair slightly less visible under the skin, too), as well as letting the skin soften up under the warm water. Water that's too hot will dry out the skin and contribute to irritation.  If you're still getting razor burn after trying these things out, there are tons of aftershave products for women too to help ease the pain of irritated skin.

[Jennygirl]

Yeah I forgot moisturizing.

If you are looking for a cheap, natural, and way optimal skin moisturizer try coconut oil (extra virgin unrefined). It treats irritated razor burn skin like nothing I've ever found off the shelf. Also I use it for a million other things like makeup remover, facial moisturizer, and making delicious food dishes. I guarantee you: it does not cause your skin to break out like one would think.

If you are curious about coconut oil, just do a google search and you will see how many uses the stuff has. If you have a coconut allergy, though, it's probably not the best idea

You can also use it as a shave oil (it works amazingly well for that), but it will gunk up the razor and dissolve the little lubricating strip on most razors in half the time.

Another thing you can try for treating razor burn is witch hazel. Use it like an after shave and then moisturize once it has dried.

[Leah443]

Thanks everyone for your helpful answers

[Murbella]

What Jenny and Lo said. 

Exfoliate
shave with gel/foam
exfoliate again
moisturize

That first time you shave all your hair will have been leaning over from years of hanging long, so when it starts to grow many of the follicles will have exaggerated tilt in the direction of the grain.  As you go, the follicles will align themselves better with the pore and not stab their way back out resulting in less irritation and ingrown hairs.

I just started shaving myself and wow that first morning goosebumps before I got in the shower the next day sucked.  Thousands of tiny needles trying to poke their way out of my skin.

[RavenMoon]

I shave in the shower. I've been doing that for years, and it was the only way to shave my face and get it smooth. I have to go against the grain everywhere.

The only thing that ever gave me bumps was using an epilator on my arms recently. And after a week they are still there. But otherwise my arms are nice and smooth.

[Alice Rogers]

Other than my face and head I epilate everywhere, I DO get the red bumps for about half a day afterwards but since I only need to epilate once every 2 or 3 weeks to remain completely smooth it is worth the irritation. The bumps usually manifest on the more sensitive area's to a greater degree, my boy parts tend to actually get pinpricks of blood on them and are VERY sensitive for a day or so afterwards but Its the price I willingly pay to be smooth.

I also get far less ingrown hairs from epilating than any method other than waxing which seems about the same.

I KNOW epilating hurts like a bitch, especially in those hard to reach places, but the feeling of utter uncompromised smoothness afterwards and the sense of accomplishment is great, also the pain is a good way to prepare yourself for any laser hair removal you might go for in the future because on dense area's such as the face than hurts like a bitch!

Alllie

[RavenMoon]

Oh yes epilating leaves you very smooth, and hurts like hell!