The Perfect Shave

Posted on March 1st, 2009 / Filed under For the Body:

I tried waxing my legs a few times. It’s not even the pain that keeps me from doing it. It’s the unsightly waiting period. Six to eight weeks? No. No way. After six days I could be mistaken for some kind of forest-dwelling creature. That’s not to say you shouldn’t wax.  If you don’t mind the wait or anything else about waxing, by all means continue to do it. But if you’re like me and prefer a regular razor, there are several things you can do to get smooth legs without nicks, cuts or ingrown hairs. Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting a perfect shave.

1. Wait at least a few minutes after getting in the shower before shaving. This will allow the water to soften the hair.

2. Spread shaving cream or gel over your entire leg. If you have sensitive or irritated skin, choose one with little or no scent, and with vitamin E, aloe, chamomile or other soothing ingredients. A few good options: Aveeno Positively Smooth or Therapeutic shave gels ($3.99, drugstore.com), Avon Skin So Soft Shaving Cream ($5, avon.com), Gillette Satin Care Sensitive Skin ($2.79, drugstore.com), Kiss My Face Moisture Shave, Fragrance Free ($5.99, drugstore.com), Zirh Shave Cream ($14, sephora.com).

3. Use a clean, sharp razor (three- or four-blade models will get you a closer shave). Start at your ankle and pull the razor up about one-quarter of the length of your leg. Work your way up the leg, rinsing the razor after each stroke. When you’re finished, move on to the next leg.

4. If you tend to get razor burn easily, and find it too irritating to shave against growth, then simply shave in the same direction. The results won’t be as good, but it will reduce the risk of razor burn.

5. You can shave your knees either by straightening your legs or bending them. Pull the skin taut with one hand, and run the razor over with the other. Both ways are effective, so do whichever works best for you.

6. When you’re finished, rinse well and apply a moisturizer suitable for your skin type.

7. When shaving your underarms, you have to shave in different directions, because that’s how the hair grows. Start by shaving up, then down and then across, rinsing and reapplying cream after each stroke.

Tips & Tricks

  • Wait at least 20 minutes after getting up to shower. Skin tends to be more swollen in the morning, which will make shaving more difficult.
  • Exfoliate regularly with a scrub to remove dead skin cells that can clog razors, which dulls the blades. This will also help prevent ingrown hairs. If you prefer, you can use a moisturizing lotion with salicylic or glycolic acid instead.
  • Choose your razor carefully. Multiple blades, pivoting heads and built-in moisturizing strips are all things to look for.
  • Change your blades regularly — roughly once per week, depending on how often you actually shave.
  • Don’t use your husband’s or boyfriend’s razor.
  • Run out of shaving cream? Hair conditioner works just as well.
  • If you’re already suffering from ingrown hairs, try using Tend Skin ($20, sephora.com) for a few days to get rid of the bumps.
  • Choose a lotion with aloe or vitamin E if you’re experiencing irritation or redness. You can also try a 1% hydrocortisone cream.