Need advice on how to shave your legs? Our guide will show you how to get smoother legs without nicks, razor burn, and skin irritation. These steps for how to properly shave your legs are ideal for those difficult areas and everything in between.
Although knowing how to shave your legs may seem simple enough, there are key steps you can take to minimize the risk of skin irritation. Here are some simple tips to keep in mind.
#1. Moisturize your skin before shaving your legs
If your legs aren’t well hydrated, it will be harder to cut hair, increasing the risk of skin irritation, nicks, and razor burn. Shaving dry hair can dull your blade more quickly.
When you soak your legs in hot water, including a bath or shower for at least three to five minutes, the hair in that area thickens upon contact with the water. This helps soften your hair follicles and makes it easier to trim leg hair.
#2. Apply shaving gel
After wetting your legs, lather the shaving gel and smooth it evenly over your legs. Using shaving gel maintains hydration and allows the razor blade to glide more easily over your skin. You can also see which area you still need to shave to avoid having to shave completely again. This also helps reduce the risk of irritation.
#3. Use a sharp razor blade for your shave
If your razor blade pulls hairs or feels rough on your skin while shaving, it’s time to replace it. Using a dull blade when shaving increases the risk of cuts, razor burn and irritation. We recommend changing your razor head approximately every two weeks if you shave daily.
#4. Shave using long, even strokes
You don’t need to press hard on your razor when shaving, as long as your blade is clean and sharp. Shave using long, even strokes.
To find out the best way to shave your legs, here is our step-by-step approach:
Don’t press hard
Venus razors are precision engineered so you only have to slide the blade over your legs once. Shave using light strokes, as applying too much pressure can cause skin irritation and shorten the life of your razor.
Correct direction for shaving legs
For anyone wondering which direction should you shave your legs, for a smooth shaving experience, we always recommend following the direction your hair grows.
#5. How to Shave Tough Areas
Carefully shave bonier areas such as ankles and knees to avoid accidentally cutting yourself. Here are our tips for shaving these areas effectively.
How to shave your knees and ankles
When shaving your knees, try to bend your leg to keep this area of skin taut. This will allow you to shave the front of your knee with more ease, avoiding catching any loose skin.
How to shave the back of your thighs
To reach this delicate area, it’s best to straighten your leg when shaving behind and remember to avoid using hard pressure as this area can be prone to nicks.
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#6. Moisturize your legs after shaving
When you are satisfied with your shave, rinse your legs, dry your skin with a towel and apply moisturizer or lotion. This will help prevent skin irritation after shaving and keep your legs hydrated.
When you want to achieve silky smooth legs, learn more about Venus razors and razor blades.
Additional Tips for Shaving Legs
For anyone who wants to learn how to shave their legs correctly, we have some final tips:
Clean your razor
Rinsing your blades as you go helps keep your razor sharp over time and reduces the risk of razor burn. If you don’t know how to clean your razor, it’s also a great idea to visually check for stuck hairs, as they reduce the life of the blades.
Don’t shave in the morning
Although shaving can be part of your morning routine, it’s best to wait until the evening because the hair is closest to its follicles when you wake up due to nighttime fluid retention.
Use a sharp multi-blade razor rather than a single-blade model
When looking for the best razor for you, we suggest opting for models with multiple blades. Our Gillette Venus Swirl razor has five blades as well as Flexiball technology to catch more hairs than a traditional razor.
You can also try bikini line trimmers to shave hair in hard-to-reach areas. Our Venus hair removal product line includes a range of accessories to try for all your grooming needs.
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Leg Shaving FAQ
On average, it takes most women less than ten minutes to shave their legs. Following our tips on gentle hair removal is a great way to ensure you’re removing hair effectively without burning or rashes.
While body shaving is a personal decision, many women love the aesthetic of smoothly shaved legs. Try leg hair removal yourself to discover your ideal routine!
It is always recommended to shave with the grain to reduce the risk of skin irritation. If your razor pulls on the skin’s surface, it can leave redness and affect how hair grows back.
Most girls will start shaving their legs for the first time during puberty. There is no ideal age, so feel free to start whenever it suits you.