Shaving your legs can be a hassle, especially when you emerge from the shower to find a missed spot or that ever-annoying patch of razor burn. Here are five things you should avoid to make shaving your legs a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Avoid the hasty morning shave. We know you’re probably rushing to get ready and on with your day, but experts say you should slow down and give your legs a chance to breathe. Warm up in the shower for about 15 minutes to soften and open up hair follicles. Also, try shaving your legs at night rather than the morning as your legs can swell while you sleep, which affects your ability to score a smooth, close shave.
Put down the bar soap. Using shaving cream in place of bar soap can help reduce the potential to scrape and cut your legs. Not only will shaving cream help keep your legs free of nasty nicks, but it will moisturize your skin for a flawless finish. If you run out of shaving cream, grab conditioner as a substitute.
Ditch the disposables. A good razor often comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s well worth the investment. Disposables are great for a weekend trip or an overnight stay at a friend’s house, but using a four-or-five-blade razor on a daily basis will prevent cuts and burns – giving you the best results.
Don’t dismiss direction. Your razors route matters. You should always start by shaving downward, in the direction that the hair grows first. While shaving upward, against the natural growth patterns of hair can produce a closer shave, it also elevates the risk of irritation. After the initial pass downward over the skin, the hairs should be short enough and the skin lubricated enough to pass back upward.
Refresh your razor. Don’t forget to change your blade every five-to-ten shaves. Old blades are too dull to produce a clean, smooth shave and thus have more of a chance of causing bumps and irritation. A razor blade can be a breeding ground for trapped bacteria, so changing your blade regularly helps to avoid infection as well.
Looking for more ways to liven up those legs this Summer? At Advanced Dermatology, Dr. John F. Gallagher offers vein treatment procedures to patients all around and has offices on Long Island and in parts of Queens. Contact us at (888) 747-5273 today to schedule your consultation.