For people who shave their legs, keeping your legs smooth after shaving can be a trial. Stubble often seems to reappear quickly, and dry skin can plague you even if your hair grows slowly. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your legs stay soft for a while after you put down that razor.
3 Steps to Get Smooth Legs After Shaving
Getting smooth legs can begin with the shaving process. First, be sure to use a sharp razor. If the blade feels rough on your skin, it's time to replace it. If you are using a disposable razor, experts advise that it will last just 3-10 shaves.
Next, be sure that your skin is moist. If your skin and hair is dry it will be harder to shave and may even dull the blade faster. Make sure the water temperature and room temperature are as close as possible. Some people use an exfoliant to soften the skin and you might also choose to use a shaving cream for added moisture. Lastly, use long, even strokes to remove the hair on your legs. Take extra care around the ankles and knees to avoid nicks and cuts.
After exfoliating and shaving, it's time to do a little extra maintenance.
1. Use Moisturizing Soap
While you are still in the shower there are a few steps you can take to help you legs stay smooth longer. Wash legs after shaving for maximum benefits of the moisturizers in the soap. However, the soap you choose is important. Bath soap is a moisture-robbing culprit. Choose a bath soap or shower gel that is moisturizing, such as Dove, not a deodorant or antibacterial soap.
There are many products on the market that promise smooth skin. However, many of these products contain alcohol, which can rob the skin of moisture. Look for products that do not contain alcohol or that have it listed near the bottom of the ingredients list.
2. Apply Moisturizer
Immediately after stepping out of the shower and before drying off, apply a post-shave moisturizer. Mineral oil, such as baby oil, may help seal in moisture after you shave your legs. While baby oil works to seal in moisture, it may not be enough for very dry skin. For very dry skin, immediately after drying from the shower, apply a moisturizing cream instead of a lotion.
Finding the best moisturizer after shaving can be overwhelming. Consider these products to keep legs smooth:
- CeraVe® Moisturizing Cream promises to increase the skin's ability to hold moisture. It penetrates deeply into the outer layers of the skin to restore the balance of lipids and to help prevent moisture loss.
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion is rich in vitamin E and promises deep hydration. It can be a good option that you can find at any drugstore.
- The Body Shop Body Butter comes in various scents, and is rich in cocoa butter and shea butter. Along with cocoa and shea butters, Body Butter contains coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil, plus glycerin and lanolin. It is a velvety and luxurious cream that may provide deep hydration.
- Some people consider olive oil is one of nature's best moisturizers. It is high in vitamin E and antioxidants that maintain skin's elasticity. Olive oil has been used for thousands of years for many cosmetic uses, but its use as a skin moisturizer is controversial. Talk to your dermatologist if you would prefer to use olive oil after shaving.
3. Dry Off Carefully
The way that you dry your skin can play a role in keeping your skin soft after shaving. Always use a clean bath towel to prevent a flare-up of skin conditions. Then, pat the skin gently to prevent any irritation. Rubbing or vigorously drying the skin may cause additional drying and inflammation.
How to Maintain Smooth Legs Days After Shaving
There is no rule about how often you should shave. The experts at Gillette advise that many women shave every 2-3 days but add that hair grows at different rates on different areas of the body. For example, they say that armpit hair tends to grow 50% faster than leg hair. In addition to growth rate, there are a few other factors to consider when deciding how often to shave.
Consider a Shave-Minimizing Lotion
One of the downsides of shaving is that hair can grow back quickly, often requiring more shaving in as little as a day. This means that cut hairs will begin to poke up above the surface of the skin, creating stubble. Some lotions promise to minimize stubble and give your more time between shaving sessions.
However, shave-minimizing lotions are controversial. Some work and some do not, and there aren't studies that show whether they are effective in general. Still, if you find that your hair regrows quickly, it may be worth trying one out. Choose a product, such as Completely Bare Don't Grow There, that have many positive reviews.
Manage Razor Burn
Razor burn and ingrown hairs can cause bumps and rashes on skin that keep it from being as smooth as you'd like after shaving. If you have razor burn, give your legs a chance to heal before you shave again. Shaving over the bumps will make the condition worse. After things have healed, you can resume your shaving routine and get back to having smooth legs.
Moisturize Daily
A daily moisturizing regimen is just as important as a good razor to make a close shave last. Proper hydration is a key factor in keeping skin looking healthy, smooth and youthful. Hydrated skin not only feels better, but will also help prevent razor burn and irritation from shaving. Go ahead and wear that short skirt to show off those silky-smooth legs.
