Ok Ive never shaved my legs before and I'm really excited to see how i look after but I've heard some horror stories about the first time, getting rashes or bumps. Is there a secret to getting a smooth nice look my first time or will i just have to live with the irritations the first few times?
I do it a lot, but I never heard any horror story's about it. Probably be best if you not tell me so I don't get scared next time XD
But I just use a regular hand held razor, and I don't even use any special shaving creams or anything. Not even needed. It may be a little helpful if you use water, as I do sometimes. But other times I don't use absolutely anything. It doesn't even hurt. When it's your first time, lots of hair gets cloged in the razor, so you would want a trash bin or something that you can wipe it off into (Warning: make sure you wipe it off the correct direction or else you could easily cut yourself). I usually start from bottom to top rather than top to bottom so your cutting against the hair rather than with it.
But it's great when done, your legs get very smooth, and feel so great^^
Thank you Sam, do you use lotions or anything afterwards? I m just about to do so if you haven't heard from me its because I'm to embarrassed to post about my horror story :)
Quote from: sophiaInside on July 20, 2014, 08:34:25 PM
Thank you Sam, do you use lotions or anything afterwards? I m just about to do so if you haven't heard from me its because I'm to embarrassed to post about my horror story :)
Sometimes yes. In fact, just a baby lotion will actually help with any soreness you might get (notice that it feels really weird to wear pants after words at first-as if you got sand on you. Feeling goes away fast though). But it also makes the legs a lot softer and smooth. It's optional, you don't have to though, they still feel plenty good without it.
I usually do lotion up afterwards but you want to use a non-perfumed lotion if possible as the perfume can cause irritation to some peoples skins. I prefer to use an aloe based lotion. As far as irritations unless you have extremely sensitive skin you shouldn't have much trouble and if you do just make sure you're using products designed as such. You make end up with an ingrown hair or two the first couple times, but the more you do it the less it will occur. Just use an exfoliating body wash the next day as with anywhere you shave to help remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs.
You really need to get a trimmer and trim the hair really short. Then soak in a tub of hot water for a while. The best thing to use is conditioner that you use on your hair and rub that on. Then use shaving cream over the conditioner. Use a new sharp razor too. Don't use too much pressure either to avoid nicks nad cuts. Shaving takes the natural oils from your skin along with the hair, use a good lotion afterward. Don't go for silky smooth the first couple of times especially your thighs. Better yet, use the trimmer to trim the hair just as short as you can and leave it a couple of days. It lets the skin get used to the clotihing rubbing on it and so on. If you have never shaved your legs before, the skin will be supersensitive and it usually takes a week or two until it becomes less sensitive. The thighs especially the back of the thighs and your bikini area is where you will usually get rashes and so on so be prepared.
My wife doesn't consider it normal for me to shave my legs. However, I try to shave all except for some on the front of the thighs when I can do it without her seeing me do it. I shave them in the shower with just soap and water.
I really like the look and feel of perfectly shaved legs and would like to be able to shave them completly on a regular basis with her approval.
You can get a "body shaver" that is nice and rounded and has protective strips on both sides of the blades. This really does work to avoid nicks and cuts. Wet is better than dry.
I do need more practice...
Erin
I am one of those horror stories that you heard about, lol. No matter what I do, I have tried everything there is to try, I ALWAYS end up getting both a rash and ingrown hair. It looks ugly and I hate shaving my legs
Quote from: melanie maritz on July 21, 2014, 11:05:21 AM
I am one of those horror stories that you heard about, lol. No matter what I do, I have tried everything there is to try, I ALWAYS end up getting both a rash and ingrown hair. It looks ugly and I hate shaving my legs
Poor Girl - that is terrible
Quote from: melanie maritz on July 21, 2014, 11:05:21 AM
I am one of those horror stories that you heard about, lol. No matter what I do, I have tried everything there is to try, I ALWAYS end up getting both a rash and ingrown hair. It looks ugly and I hate shaving my legs
Sorry to hear that. Do you try waxing them instead?
I have done that myself and it hurts sooo much. I had much better results with waxing than shaving and a lot of the hair took months to grow out and when they did, they grew out thinner but when I just left it it went back to what it was like before.
I would love to have my legs waxed by a professional person so that I don't have to worry about spots I missed or doing it wrong
In my recent experiences, I tried shaving the upper part of my legs and later decided it was ok to do the whole thing. I used a razor for the upper part, but wasn't happy with the results. I didn't have too many issues as a result of the razor. Then I tried the creams. If you've never shaved, I would highly recommend this method. Its 100% pain free. Its very discussing and a little more time consuming, but the results last longer and I haven't had any reactions unlike with the razor. However in the end I just got an epilator. I was "creaming" too often for my tastes and I was probably going to have to buy it more often than razors. The epilator does hurt (if it doesn't hurt then there is no hair) a little bit, but its not as bad as I thought. I have only started with this a couple of days ago so I don't know how it compares to the creams, but considering it takes the whole hair out, I would say this is going to be much better.
One problem I've encountered is ingrown hairs. I've seen pictures that look like little tiny bumps. No this isn't what I have. I have hairs growing along the skin underneath of it. Sometimes they work themselves out, but for many I have to take tweazers and rub the skin until it pops out. I'm open for other suggestions. I've attempted a loofah sponge, but it doesn't seem to help.
It is just like anything else. It takes practice. Just take your time and don't rush it. DON't USE CHEAP RAZORS! The expensive ones do work a lot better. The less hair you have works better so blade doesn't get plugged with hair. Make only a couple strokes and tap hairs out of razor. Feet, lower leg, front of upper thigh and behind knee you should be pulling razor up against hair growth. The back of thigh and derriere you should be going down towards knee. This should give you the closes shave. You will more than likely miss spots. Again Practice Practice Practice. There is nothing like having smooth shaved legs. I have kept mine shaved for the last 5 years and hate not having them silky soft. It is worth the little bit of nicks, cuts and razor burn. I will also use Nair and Veet once in awhile too.
Best of Luck
XOXOXO
Gretchen
Heres a really good forum on hair removal/shaving..
http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/26983/Razor_bump_basics.html#Post26983
That article seems to be mostly about shaving facial hair, which isn't really the same as the topic here, Shaving legs...
I also get a lot of ingrown hairs, but only on the upper thighs(also the stomach, if I shave it). Shins and knee area this doesn't happen. I have no idea why, or what's different.
Ratfarts.. grabbed the wrong link.. brb with the right one..
Quote from: VeronicaLynn on July 22, 2014, 11:28:30 PM
That article seems to be mostly about shaving facial hair, which isn't really the same as the topic here, Shaving legs...
I also get a lot of ingrown hairs, but only on the upper thighs(also the stomach, if I shave it). Shins and knee area this doesn't happen. I have no idea why, or what's different.
The difference is that the upperthighs usually have a little more fat than the lower legs. Also if you wear pants the upperthighs are usually way tighter agaisnt the skin that the lower legs especiall when you sit down.
But seriously though the main thing is that the skin has to get used to it. It has to get used to the razor and the supersensitivity of not having hair for a couple of weeks or maybe even am onth or so. Always moisturize and use powder that can provide lubrication against the skin and clothing. That should cut down on the irritation and possibly ingrown hairs but you are definately gonna have to put up with it until the skin gets less sensitive. If you stick with it eventually most of the irritation and a lot of the ingrown hairs will go away. Your bikini line though will still pose a problem. Cis women also have the same problem with the irritation and razor bumps there too, so don't feel too bad.
I got a recommendation to use Sleek and Shine conditioned and I LOVE it! Moisturizes, and softens, a sharp(new) razor isa must! Buy them in 5 or 10packs and throw them away after you use them.
I looked up sleek and shine and that came up as hair conditioner. I thought we were talking about legs or did I miss something?
Use the best razor you can afford, cream rinse works well as shaving crea and of course use lotion after when still warm. T blockers help as well as hair for me at least is less.
No you didn't miss anything, that was my bad. I didn't actually say to use it on your legs.., I was told to use it to shave legs. Razors glide with it, and it moisturizes perfectly. So yes, use hair conditioner for your legs to shave with.
Use both. Conditioner that you use in your hair and put the shaving cream on top of that. It really makes the razor glide a lot better plus the conditioner helps keep you legs moisturized and then use a decent lotion after. With the conditioner under the shaving cream, you can pretty much kiss the razor bumps and irritation goodbye. Except for the bikini area.
Laser on bottom is the best as two treatments all but gone. Shaving doesn't work imho
Fortunately I have virtually no hair on my legs. However, I do have unwanted hair elsewhere. All I can say is that it gets better over time. In time you will discover what works and what doesn't and what products to use and what not to use. There is simply no simple solution beyond trial and error unless you want a professional to do the work. IMO, just do it and learn from the mistakes. In time it will become relatively easy and satisfactory.
Conditioner works great. I bought a tube of gel at CVS for bikini area use.
It worked great and a lot less bumps. :D
I shave my legs about twice a week, and use hair remover cream on most of the rest to remove chest and back hair, following the instructions. Lovely to have a smooth all over body and growing breats thanks to certain patches. I shave between the legs and pubes as well to have a smooth all over feel: love it in the sauna.
PS: I use E45 cream all over, after shave / remover, it makes the skin lovely and smooth & soft.
Quote from: melanie maritz on July 21, 2014, 11:05:21 AM
I am one of those horror stories that you heard about, lol. No matter what I do, I have tried everything there is to try, I ALWAYS end up getting both a rash and ingrown hair. It looks ugly and I hate shaving my legs
Hi everybody, this is my first post. I need to figure out how to get a photo of me posted, but I digress...
My fave trick for smooth legs is to rub on olive oil and let it soak in for 15 minutes. Then you can either gently wash it off or do as I do and put the lotion on right over it.... it feels sensuous and works great!
Roxanne
hello Roxanne! Welcome!! someone should be along in a bit with the rules for this place, but you'll see in them, that you get a picture avatar, and Private Messages after.. i think its 15 posts.. so, dont fret... welcome again, hon!!
Ooo conditioner? I have to try that! Maybe when I shave my arms too.
I get some of the worst in grown hairs known to woman. From experience, I once learned to shave against the grain in order to get a closer shave for various things like smoother legs or face. Ultimately, as it turns out, there are better techniques that do not involve shaving against the grain. The problem is hairs get trapped under the skin. To avoid doing this, avoid shaving against the grain.
My technique is to run a wet hand against the grain to get the hairs standing up. At this point, shave with the grain or at an angle if necessary. Repeat this until it looks smooth. If necessary, to get closer, stretch the skin AGAINST the grain and hold it while shaving WITH the grain on the stretched area. This seems to work really well on my face as well, providing the same smoothness as against the grain without the ingrown hairs for me. The key is you need to be very careful about applying this uniformly, and over time the skin will become healthier, smoother, and easier to shave.
When you first start shaving, It is a real pain for a month or two. The more you shave, the more the skin gets used to it. I used to have some ingrown hairs but a lot of razor bumps and irritation especially on the upper thighs and underarms Now though, no big deal except for the occasional nick or cut. The more you do it the less sensitive the bare skin becomes and the closer shave you can get without the irritation. Especially using conditioner under the shaving cream. god I remember the sensation of crawling in between sheets with hairless legs or the way wearing pants felt. Now though I can't tell the difference whether I had hair on my legs or not. That sensitivity is not there anymore like when I first started a long time ago, but no more irritation razor bumps or ingrown hairs. I do tend to get them if I go a day or so without shaving so for me it is an everyday ordeal. 10 extra minutes in the tub or shower for the result is priceless.
I just shaved my legs last night for the very first time ever and I am forty years old and it was an experience to say the least.
First off I used an electric razor that I use for my facial hair but it worked perfectly for my legs, I also shaved my pubic area as well and that was great too. I then took my regular shaver that I have that is like a mach 3 or something and I shaved the rest down. I didn't have any baby oil or anything at the time to lotion them down but today I bought some as well as some other lotion and they don't feel so bad, there are no rashes or anything like that. Though my pube area is kind of strange feeling and might have to do some more work on that. I want to try and shave them as often as possible.
I bought a womans shaver today that is used for the legs and was pretty cheap and now I know why, next time I am going to buy the more expensive one and shave my legs every other day or as often as I have to cause I love having smooth feminine legs. I also shaved my butt as well as my butt crack lol
I too am one of the horror stories - first time for me I got fairly bad razor burn / ingrown hairs, and as it started growing back again (just a few hours for me), it was really prickly so I got stubble rash just to add insult to injury :( Had much the same experience with my chest and stomach too, although oddly my arms and underarms are absolutely fine with shaving.
For my legs, chest and stomach I use hair removal cream. No razor burn, ingrown hairs or stubble rash, and it's a billion times faster to cover the same surface area! :laugh: The first cream I used did burn my skin very slightly, but nothing a bit of Savlon cream couldn't fix. I've changed to a newer version of the same product now though and it doesn't burn at all.
In the not too distant future I plan to move on to waxing, and also get a Tria Home Hair Removal Laser (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tria-Hair-Removal-Laser-Green/dp/B005VCP6CY/ref=sr_1_2?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1413668754&sr=1-2&keywords=Tria) for a more permanent effect :) ♥︎