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So, been shaving every 2-3 days for about 3 months now.  The problem I am having is what I call the Cheetah Effect.  After shaving no matter how carefully I do it, I end up looking like a Cheetah with spots all over the place.  If I shave every day, it gets worse, if I shave later than 3 days it gets worse.  These are not cuts, just the hair follicles locations looking really large, like they are irritated, but there is no discomfort.  I currently am using the same type of razor as I use on my face and the same shaving cream for the whole body.

How long does this go on before my legs look nice?  Is it my razor?  Is it the shaving cream?  Is there a lotion I should use to reduce this look?

Maybe wax instead  ??? waiting until hairs get long enough so you remove them at the root...

It could be your razor. It also takes time for your legs to adjust. I used to have issues with my legs getting the same way; it lasted for probably 6-8 months.

How often you shave can also have an effect. I shave every 2-3 days in the summer and in the winter it's more like every 5-7 days (but I try to wax as much as possible come springtime). The more frequently I shave, the more prone I am to getting a few bumps. It's important to switch out your razors if you're shaving frequently, but I'm sure you're already aware of this.

Having a good razor is important, as I mentioned earlier. I use Venus disposable razors. They're decent. I was using men's Mach3 razors, but switched when my hair about a year and a half ago, as my hair was finer.

As far as shaving cream, I can't really answer that. It's been a long time since I've used it, I usually just lotion afterwards. I know hair conditioner can be used as a substitute and works well. An ex of mine used this and swore by it. She said it helps her legs stay smooth/silky after shaving.

Your issue could also be genetic. My partner has folliculitis and it gets really bad when shaving. However, you would probably know already if you had this.

Hope this helps (:


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Male legs are prone to ingrown hairs.  You need to do things to prevent them, like exfoliating every day you don't shave.  Usually, I'll just use the electric trimmer, which doesn't get close enough to cause ingrowns.

Wax or get an epilator. It'll work a lot better. I developed KP and I get a ton of breakouts. The epilator will keep from getting the crazy breakouts and lasts about a month. Waxing will get you about 3 months. But if you prefer to shave, use a Dual Edge safety razor and some good shave soap or Alba creme shave.

I also vote "wax." You can get a warmer and good wax from Amazon and let the hair grow while you wait for the package to arrive. I became very adept at waxing legs, armpits, even ear and nose hair! After a while the hair was much finer and slower to return, leaving far less to deal with in the shower.

We use cheap disposables and Dr. Bronners liquid soap as lube. I usually let things go during the winter and after a good wax session each spring only a bi-weekly touch-up. And have someone else do you. It makes it easier to reach all the nooks and crannies without risk of nicks. (Plus, it is more fun!)

Ive always used a male razors with replaceable heads and womens shave gel,
When I shave I always do it in a warm shower and a nice even coverage of the shave gel and dont have a problem with red dots even if I do it every couple of days but mostly about once a week these days and if I get lazy I just wear tights or panty hose or long pants, like other cis women,
On the times I havent done it in the shower Ive always ended up with red dots from the skin getting cold while shaving,
But waxing is better and the more you do it the softer the hairs will get and the long the hair will take to grow, but I found for me I ended up with ingrown hairs even with exfoliation and it lasted for about a 3-4 weeks,
Another thing Ive notice is HRT has helped softened my skin over time so thats another part to it I guess,

Cheers Tracy

That sounds like razor burn or possibly ingrowns.  Do the spots go away after a few days or do they become welts?

At any rate, as a person who dealt with HORRIBLE razor burn and ingrowns, I can totally relate. Here's what you need to do to.

1. Drink lots of water. Dehydration dries your skin, which causes irrigation/ingrowns.

2. Moisturize. Same reason as #1

3. Exfoliate (don't over do it though)

4. Avoid tight fitting clothes, especially the day after you shave.

5. Keep your hands off your legs. I know it's tempting to feel that silky goodness after a shave, but the bacteria on your hands gets into all the microscopic cuts on your legs, which causes irritation/infection/ingrowns.

6. Don't pick at the bumps. If you have an ingrown, sterilize a needle or tweezers, as well as the site with alcohol and carefully remove it. Bacteria causes tiny infections which lead to scarring.   If you have a really deep ingrown that you can't see through the skin, do NOT attempt to dig it out. Go to a derm and have them remove it.

7. Check out a product called "FPB Vanish". It's an over the counter medication you apply to the skin to prevent/treat razor bumps. It's a little pricey, but works WONDERS.


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It kind of sounds like KP. Red spots? That kind of thing? Perhaps see a dermatologist.

One thing you can do is after you shave run cold water over your legs. It will close all the pores so your less likely to get dirt and bacteria in them. Cream can also be an issue if your fresh out of the shower cause again the pores are open and you filling them up with the cream making it more prone to infection.

And like someone else said exfoliate always helps


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Not bumps, just the area around the follicle is red.  There is no irritation, and the hair grows normally, no ingrown hairs found.  The skin is a bit dry, and has been since about 2 weeks after starting hormones.  I am currently doing a razor, electric shaver rotation, which seems to be helping with the spots.

I do have a problem of rubbing to feel the smoothness shortly after shaving, so that is likely the cause.  I just like the feeling.

Do you have fine or coarse hair? Are you shaving with the grain or against? I occasionally get bumps shaving against the grain but it works for me and I dont usually have problems. It may be as simple as the direction, or like others have said waxing over shaving.

~ Trystlynn

Against....mostly.  On the upper legs I go side to side as the blade sometimes catches the flab if I go against the growth.

As a side note the spots are almost completely gone now, only a couple places turn red and look huge.  Looking for a moisturizing shaving cream to see if that helps more, otherwise I have to use my wife's lotion and she hates that.  I don't see the point in purchasing 2 different lotions.

I was really into the epliator before I discovered laser beams.  But when I did shave, and even now when I have to touch up, I generally use drug store hair conditioners (using VO5 Moisture Milk right now), except on my face, which are really cheap but leave my skin silky smooth.  Good luck!

Erin

I've had good luck with the Seiko Cleancut ES-412 foil razor.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31i11M0kwmL.jpg

I use coconut oil and salt for exfoliating my legs. I also use it the shave them. I shave very my legs infrequently  except for my knees which is every 3 or 4 days. 

Quote from: Mia on November 15, 2016, 11:03:37 AM
nose hair!

Ouch! How do you do that?

Quote from: DawnOday on December 26, 2016, 06:44:05 PM
Ouch! How do you do that?

It isn't pleasant but it's quick and effective! I saw a "pro" video of it - apply a ball of wax, gently pressing it into place with the applicator. Then apply more to make a pull tab. I guess the most important details are: wax not too hot, and pull lip area tight when you go to tug it off. [emoji21]

 I think  a major part of the problem is how often you shave.

Yeeha!  Today after showering I noticed that my leg hairs are a bit more sparse, and not very long.  The last time I shaved was the Thursday before Christmas.  So happy that my leg hair's growth I slowing down.

I will give sugar waxing a try this weekend as I'm so tired of shaving my legs twice weekly. Waxing should also make the hair more sparse over time


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I have the same issue and no idea how to deal with it. After searching the web, I came across something called strawberry legs. It's exactly what happens to my legs.

After more research, and reading some comments on exfoliating, someone brought up Keratosis pilaris. You should check that out too.

For those in an early phase of transition or whom, for whatever reason are unable to go as far as shaving their legs yet, I can offer a tip of sorts.  Get yourself a pair of matte finish footless or stirrup dance tights (in a shade closest to your skin colour) and wear them underneath your desired legwear.  Your leg hair will more-or less disappear and none will be the wiser.

Quote from: rebeccal on December 27, 2016, 11:09:32 PM
For those in an early phase of transition or whom, for whatever reason are unable to go as far as shaving their legs yet, I can offer a tip of sorts.  Get yourself a pair of matte finish footless or stirrup dance tights (in a shade closest to your skin colour) and wear them underneath your desired legwear.  Your leg hair will more-or less disappear and none will be the wiser.

If you have need a good reason to justifying to others why you shave your legs just say your a cyclist and shaving prevents infections and easier to clean if you come of the bike, and people just change the subject to something else....

Cheers Tracy

I shave my legs every second day right up to my hips. I hate that stubble feeling on my legs, I like to keep my legs silky smooth.

I use shaving cream with a women's razor. (I know real old school). I usually moisturize my legs daily with cream.

That works for me.

Before HRT, I had thick, black hair on my legs. After one year of HRT, I have fine leg hair and I only shave my legs once a week.

Quote from: JessicaSondelli on December 27, 2016, 06:58:29 PM
I will give sugar waxing a try this weekend as I'm so tired of shaving my legs twice weekly. Waxing should also make the hair more sparse over time


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i have done mine twice now and it is awesome every 4 weeks you go back and the hair is thinner
i love sugar waxing i have been doing it since before my transition (thats how my back is nice and hair free)