I can't pinpoint exactly when or how I started shaving my legs, just I know it was probably around the fourth dimension I started obsessing over my piddling Abercrombie shorts, and showing off my legs in them. And then it'southward rubber to say it's been a long fourth dimension since I beginning started shaving my legs. And in all these years, it'due south never really crossed my mind whether or not I was shaving the right way. How frequently should y'all shave your legs? Am I switching my razor blades oftentimes enough? Am I using the right products for shaving? Do I even need to shave?

Well, get-go off, it's totally cool to not shave your legs at all, if that'southward your preference. But for those who practise choose to shave, you've probably realized (similar I have) that no one really teaches y'all how; information technology's kind of a trial and fault situation. So, with the aid of a few board-certified dermatologists, I'm here to answer all of your pressing questions on shaving your legs, and tell you whether you've been doing it wrong your whole (adult) life.

How often should you shave your legs?

Like most everyday health habits, at that place's really no set up rule for how oftentimes you need to shave. First of all, it depends on whether you prefer to have completely blank, slightly stubbly, or all natural non-shaven legs. There's no right or wrong answer, and it's upward to your preference.

According to Dr. Arielle Nagler, lath-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, how frequently you should shave also depends on your pilus type and growth. How quickly does your pilus grow dorsum afterward shaving? Exercise you have super thick or thin leg hair?

So is it OK to shave every day?

Though dermatologists don't necessarily recommend shaving daily, if that'south what y'all prefer, it's totally safe as long every bit you're actress mindful of the all-time practices.

It isn't dangerous to shave daily, but it can be potentially irritating to the hair follicles, which can crusade razor bumps, says Dr. Mona Gohara, Dove's lath-certified dermatologist.

However, if y'all're using shaving cream and a proper razor while shaving, and moisturizing your legs thoroughly later on, you shouldn't have any issues shaving every day. It'southward purely based on your preference!

But what's actually more than important than how frequently (or infrequently) yous shave is if you're shaving the correct way. Hither'due south what you need to know to get the perfect shave...

    How exactly should you be shaving?

    Though it might seem pretty obvious, the first thing is to brand sure you're shaving in the shower or bath, or at the very least, with enough of water. And the warmer the h2o, the amend.

    "The warm water [from the shower] softens the hair and opens the pores, making information technology optimal shave conditions," says Dr. Gohara. Your pilus will exist much easier to remove once information technology'southward wet.

    Lath-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban also adds that it's platonic to shave in the shower or bathroom, as it warms up your pare, giving you a slicker surface. A dry surface might take hold of the bract and you lot could irritate your peel, she says.

    In terms of technique, information technology depends on the hair blazon. If you have curly hair, Dr. Shamban says information technology'southward probably a better idea to shave the way your hair grows. This means that you should shave in the direction from the human knee down to the ankle. Though shaving this fashion might not get you the closest shave ever, information technology volition help prevent ingrown hairs and razor bumps, she says.

    On the other hand, if your hair is on the straighter side, Dr. Shamban recommends shaving against the way your hair grows (aka up from the ankle to the knee).

    What shaving products should you be using?

    The products you utilize to shave are more important than you might call back. Dr. Gohara suggests using a cleansing and hydrating shaving foam, like Pigeon's Body Wash Mousse or Aveeno'south Positively Smooth Shave Gel (a Seventeen dazzler accolade winner!) to go the best shave.

    The Best Products for Shaving Your Legs

    When it comes to your razor, you should choose it depending on how sensitive your pare is to irritation. If you're more than prone to razor bumps and irritation, Dr. Gohara recommends using a razor with 1 or 2 blades.

    If your peel isn't super irritable, try a multi-blade razor that's also hydrating, similar Billie's razors or Schick'southward Hydro Silk Sensitive Razor.

    While using the correct products while shaving is essential to your skin, what you lot use afterwards is just as of import. Always exist sure to moisturize post-shave, though y'all should be lathering your body in lotion afterward every shower anyways!

    Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin

    CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry out Skin

    How frequently should you exist switching your razor?

    Though it depends on how often y'all're shaving, Dr. Nagler typically recommends 30 uses per razor. Plus, if your hair is very thick, it's important to know your razor will get duller more quickly.

    If y'all're too lazy to continue rail of the number of uses (me), a good indicator that it'due south fourth dimension to switch is if you feel like you're having to shave over an area multiple times to get a clean shave.

    How can you prevent ingrown hairs?

    The more blades a razor has, the closer your shave is, Dr. Nagler says. But that ways you're also more than probable to get ingrown hairs. "If you're decumbent to ingrown hairs, a razor with multiple blades is probably not the best for you," she says.