There's a good chance you've been shaving your legs for years — maybe even decades! But how you were taught to shave way back when might be the root of your problems, from razor burn to ingrown hairs.
If you're still struggling with irritating bumps, missed spots, and other less-than-ideal results, here are the mistakes you'll want to remedy the next time you grab your razor, plus tips on the best ways to get your smoothest, longest-lasting shave, from dermatologists and Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts.
1. You're shaving first thing in the morning
It sounds counterintuitive, but shaving at night will actually leave your legs smoother. As you sleep, your legs swell slightly, which can make hair retreat back into its follicles. Extra credit: Rub body moisturizer onto your legs before bed to hydrate skin as you sleep, so you'll wake up even silkier. If you have normal skin, choose a body lotion formula, which is more lightweight; for dry skin, opt for a richer and more nourishing body cream or butter.
2. You're shaving your legs as soon as you hop into the shower
Understandably, you want to get your routine underway, but experts advise hanging out in the shower or bath for about 15 minutes before you start shaving, so start with your shampoo, conditioning, and body cleansing routines first. This will soften the hair and open up the follicles. Any longer, though, and your skin will wrinkle and swell, making it harder to get a close shave.
3. You're using single-blade disposable razors
It's fine to use a disposable if you're staying in a hotel, but for everyday use it's best to invest in a four- or five-blade razor, like the GH Beauty Breakthrough Award winner Gillette Venus Swirl. They provide the smoothest results, letting you navigate tricky areas like your knees and ankles. "Single-blade razors, like many disposable ones, are likelier to drag against the skin," says Neal Schultz, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. If and when you do opt for a disposable razor, make sure you opt for one with multiple blades, like the BIC Soleil Bella.
Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Moisturizing Razor with Bikini Trimmer
4. You're dry shaving or using bar soap
No matter how hurried you may be, skip the temptation to shave "dry." Lather up your legs with a moisturizing shaving cream or gel to guard skin and make sure the razor glides easily, the Beauty Lab suggests, and help you avoid nicks and cuts. We love eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream for its skin-softening ingredients like aloe and oat extract to soothe while you're shaving.
In a pinch, hair conditioner will do just as good a job. But skip the bar soap: "It doesn't create enough lubrication for a razor to slide easily against your skin, which can up the odds of cuts," explains NYC dermatologist Ellen Gendler, M.D.
5. You're not replacing your razor blade often enough
You may have bought yourself a nice razor, but it won't do you any good if you don't change your blade at the first sign of dullness. Old blades are not only ineffective, but more likely to cause bumps and redness and trap bacteria, which can potentially cause infections. The blades should be replaced about every two weeks (no, not months!) for maximum safety and efficacy, the GH Beauty Lab recommends, and rinsed often to unclog them.
6. You're shaving up the leg before you shave down the leg
On your first pass, only shave in the direction your hair grows (down the leg), and if you have very sensitive skin, don't shave upward at all. While going "against the grain" may get you a closer shave, it also increases the possibility of irritation, nicks and cuts.
Once your hairs are already very short and the skin is warm and lubricated, going against the direction of hair growth is much safer. "If you'd still like a closer shave, reapply the gel and shave again — against the direction of the hair growth," Dr. Schultz advises.
7. You're not preventing razor burn the right way
Close shaving can result in ingrown hairs, and untreated razor burn can turn into long-term scars. To help prevent those annoying red bumps in the first place, use an exfoliating body wash or body scrub (like our picks below) twice per week to shed the skin that's trapping hairs.
To treat bumps, put a warm compress on the affected area — the heat will relax the hair. After showering, apply body lotion (see the GH Beauty Lab's moisturizing body lotion test winner below) to soften the hair, leaving your skin less prone to infections.
Eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream
Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Body Lotion
8. You're having with a men's razor
A lot of women think using a men's razor is more effective, so we tested the market leaders to find out whether it's really true. The three-blade Gillette Mach3 disposable razor finished in last place, while the refillable three-blade Gillette Mach3 Turbo did just as well as the top women's razors. So it's fine to steal your guy's in a pinch (as long as it's clean!), but your best bet is to stick with razors developed specifically for women's hair and skin.
