Are women's razors better for shaving legs?
Women's razors are often cushioned with larger, and more conditioning strips as women shave more surface areas—their legs, bikini line, or underarms. Men's razors may have edging blades that allow for the trimming of facial hair.
If you shave any part of your body that's not your face, a body or “women's” razor is likely the best tool for the task. Unlike facial razors, body razors are engineered for use on broad expanses of skin and in the slippery arena of the shower.
The Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Swirl is our Best Overall because it provides a clean, smooth shave. After coating my legs in Barbasol Shave Aloe, I glided the five-blades of the Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Swirl against the grain (the opposite direction my leg hair grows) and received a smooth, clean shave.
Using shave gel maintains moisture and helps the razor blade glide more easily across your skin. You also see where you still need to shave so you can avoid having to re-shave over any areas. The Venus Satin Care Ultra Sensitive Women's Shave Gel will help lock in moisture and give you a clean shave.
Contrary to popular belief, men's razor blades aren't usually any sharper or higher-quality than women's blades. But according to Today I Found Out, they're more closely packed together in a razor head—the better for cutting through coarse facial hair and getting as close a shave as possible.
You might experience fewer body breakouts
Experts seem to agree that your skin will benefit from not having a razor glide across it regularly. "Generally, when patients stop shaving on areas that are normally shaven...the skin experiences significantly less irritation," says Yagerman.
In general, we recommend shaving every two to three days if you want a clean shave; three to five days if you want to simply style or trim; and if you want to just let your hair grow, then simply stop shaving. How quickly hair grows also depends on the area of the body.
Shaving after showering is widely regarded as the superior of the two methods.
Shaving with the grain
You must shave in the downwards direction as it protects you from getting razor burns or ingrown hair. Although shaving against the grain can undoubtedly give you a closer shave, it is not something you must follow if you have sensitive skin.
Straight up, there is no science to support a reason not to shave above the knee, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Some women don't feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg.
How do you get rid of prickly hair on your legs after shaving?
If you are already dealing with prickly hair after shaving as you read this, you would want to know how to soften prickly hair. The answer is using a moisturizer. We recommend using organic balms or hydrating your skin with a few drops of essential oils.
A woman meanwhile, shaves difficult places, such as the armpit, as well as more curved areas, like the legs. Here, the handle of a women's razor allows them a better grip on the razor when held in a multitude of ways, allowing them access to these difficult spots.
Razors marketed for use by men are generally better on coarse, bristly hair, while those marketed for use by women are generally designed for use on softer, longer hair. For women who shave their face, they're better to use razors marketed for use by men.
You shouldn't share a razor with anyone, female or male. You can use a male razor for touch ups and shaving facial hair, but when it comes to shaving larger areas of the body, consider a women's razor.
- Shaving with the grain using a good quality razor.
- Exfoliating using a towel or physical scrub.
- Using lotion after shaving.
- Using shaving gel when shaving every time.
Legs: shave lightly from the ankles up. Underarms: shave in all directions your hair grows. Bikini Area: shave in the direction of the hair growth first; then you can go against the grain for a closer shave.
"Because body hair is natural." —Debbie A.
"I stopped shaving my body hair because it is a part of who I am. Society has told women for so long that their hair is gross and improper. To me, it's natural and everyone has it, so why would not love it? I'm a relatively low-key person and razors are a hassle.
No, you will not necessarily have problems if you do not shave your pubic hair. Pubic hair is a natural part of the body and serves several functions, including protection from friction and irritation during sexual activity and trapping bacteria and other debris to prevent infections.
Not shaving reduces skin-on-skin contact friction, which means when you do activities that involve arm movement, like running or walking, your skin is much less likely to get irritated by the friction. This might lead to fewer skin issues like rashes and ingrown hairs.
Everyone likes to groom differently and how often to shave pubic hair depends on your desired appearance. To stay hair-free everyday, some might opt to shave daily but if you only do so for wearing a bikini, you might simply shave before going on holiday or swimming.
How long does it take the average woman to shave her legs?
Leg Shaving FAQs
On average, it takes most women under ten minutes to shave their legs. Following our tips on smooth hair removal is a great way to ensure you remove hair efficiently without burns or rashes.
No — shaving hair doesn't change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Shaving facial or body hair gives the hair a blunt tip. The tip might feel coarse or "stubbly" for a time as it grows out. During this phase, the hair might be more noticeable and perhaps appear darker or thicker.
When should you shave? The answer that any professional will give you: in the morning, and on an empty stomach! This is because your skin, like you, has slept through the night and is not yet awake. The blood circulates slowly, which limits the risk of cuts.
Yup, according to beauty experts, "we should be shaving our legs before bed. This is because, as we sleep, our legs become warm and swell slightly which means that the little hairs we may have missed retreat back into their follicles and are less obvious.
- Grab a clean, sharp razor. ...
- Another tip we've found helpful? ...
- Wet your legs. ...
- Exfoliate. ...
- Apply shaving cream. ...
- Shave against the direction of hair growth. ...
- Rinse your razor. ...
- Rinse your legs.