Shaving legs is simply a part of summer. With our tips, shaving is injury-free and the result is absolutely smooth.
That’s why it’s smart to shave your legs
Swinging the razor is a quick, easy and cost-effective way to get rid of annoying leg hairs. You can do the hair removal quickly in the shower, in the bathtub or even in between at the sink. All you need is a blade razor and shaving foam (or the clever alternative, which we will tell you in tip 4). How to shave your legs safely and without bleeding wounds or skin irritation is explained in our overview with the best tips.
Here you can read everything about intimate shaving.
Tip 1: Peeling before shaving
Before shaving your legs, you should do an exfoliation, so that the pores of the skin open and the hair does not grow in later.
Tip 2: Warm, not hot
Wet your legs with warm, but not hot water. Hot water closes the pores, warm water opens them – this makes shaving more comfortable and effective.
Tip 3: Change the blade
Very important: Change blades regularly! Dull blades no longer shave well and cause skin irritation more easily.
Tip 4: Shaving foam – dosage and alternative
Shaving foam is ideal to prepare the skin for shaving. However, you shouldn’t take too much as it clogs the razor blade and makes you lose track of which hairs you have already shaved and which you haven’t yet. If you don’t have any shaving foam, you can alternatively use conditioner, which softens the skin and hairs and lets the blade glide smoothly over the skin.
Tip 5: Shave from bottom to top
Shave the legs against the line – i.e. from bottom to top. This is the only way the hairs can lift and be shaved so short that no stubble remains.
Tip 6: Shave short sections
If you pull the razor in one line from the ankle to the knee, you run the risk of leaving out some hairs. It is better to work your way up in short lines.
Shaving wet or dry?
Wet shaving is gentlest if you apply a shaving gel beforehand, which also contains soothing substances and prevents skin irritation. If you shave your legs with an electric razor, you will be gentle on your skin, but in the end you will not have quite as smooth skin. However, electric shavers are ideal for the sensitive bikini zone.
Which razor should I use?
In general, the more blades a razor has, the less often redness or pimples appear. Several blades prevent the risk of cutting. Most wet razors work with a three-blade system, but there are also some with four blades. Many products also contain an integrated moisture glide strip, which is intended to care for the skin at the same time.
Little offspring – the hairs come back that quickly
- Shaving cuts the hairs on the skin surface. After 3 days at the latest, the first stubbles are visible.
- Wax or epilation devices pluck the hair at the root. Reproduction after 1-3 weeks.
- Depilatory creams dissolve the hair even below the skin surface. Fine new hairs after 5 to 7 days.
The alternatives to shaving
If you do not want to shave after all, you have several alternatives. We introduce them to you and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Waxing instead of shaving
Warm and cold wax is best applied in the evening, then the skin can recover at night. Warm wax in a water bath or in the microwave warm up, apply with a spatula and then press on the fleece strip. Depilation with cold wax strips is easier, but not quite as thorough. They are ready coated with the wax and are glued directly to the legs. Then remove with a bold jerk against the direction of growth. In very hairy or sensitive areas, only a small area at a time.
Epilating instead of shaving
The new epilators even work on shorter hairs, which is less painful than longer ones. Move the device slowly and without pressure at a right angle to the skin and against the hair growth. Then apply a light, calming care product.
Or depilatory cream after all?
Depilatory cream or mousse dissolves the hair so that it can be removed with a spatula after a few minutes. The active ingredient is the same that curls the hair during a permanent wave (thioglycolic acid) – but in higher concentration. Then wash the skin thoroughly.
I’d rather not!
Do not use alcohol-based deodorant or strongly perfumed body lotion immediately after shaving or epilating the armpits and legs, as this irritates the skin too much.