Shaving My Legs

[Marcie Jensen]

On 1/4/2022 at 10:14 PM, Delcina B said:

Hi Jamey! I mostly shave up, but sometimes to get the stubborn ones whichever way works. The first time I was rinsing a lot due to the longer hair. A "guy" razor works fine for me. I like using Nair best despite it being real smelly, less nicks & smoother skin. Skin lotion afterwards.

 

Have fun!

Delcina

I'm with Delcina. I use Nair as well.

[Niamh]

I don't see anyone having mentioned Epilating. If you can tolerate waxing then you can probably tolerate epilating for the same areas. I use an epilator over all of my body except armpits, face and actual genitals (and there's a bit in the middle of my back I can't reach!)

I use one I bought in the UK which is similar to this one on US Amazon - Amazon.com : Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9 9-720, Hair Removal for Women, Wet & Dry, Womens Shaver & Trimmer, Cordless, Rechargeable : Beauty & Personal Care

 

At a one time cost of $85 it's a very economical way of keep skin smooth and hair free. I use mine about every 3 days (I'm not on any HRT). I shave everything else (carefully!)

[Sorourke]

Hi anyone know how to stop the stubble on legs growing back so quickly after shaving your legs would using nair be the best option 😀

Stefi

[Jackie C.]

Just now, Sorourke said:

Hi anyone know how to stop the stubble on legs growing back so quickly after shaving your legs would using nair be the best option 😀

Stefi

 

If you go with Nair, be very, very careful. I know a lot of people who got chemical burns that way. That stuff is no joke.

 

Hugs!

[Sorourke]

Hi thanks Jackie tried nair on chest and got terrible burn 😞 thought it might be different on legs though but will be careful 

hugs Stefi

[Betty K]

On 2/18/2022 at 12:22 AM, Sorourke said:

Hi thanks Jackie tried nair on chest and got terrible burn 😞 thought it might be different on legs though but will be careful 

 

Hi Stefi, I burnt my chest with Nair the other day too actually, but in my case I'm pretty sure it was because I didn't rinse it off thoroughly in the first 10 minutes. Generally I set a timer and rinse thoroughly after 5-10 (usually 10) minutes.

 

Also, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my hair grows back about as quickly after Nair as it does after shaving. Maybe a day later, if that.

 

I feel as if my days of using Nair are numbered. I've heard the some of the horror stories Jackie is citing too. I certainly don't see it as a long-term solution.

[Betty K]

On 2/6/2022 at 9:42 AM, Niamh said:

I don't see anyone having mentioned Epilating.

 

Hi Niamh, thanks for the tip. I used to watch my wife epilating and it looked pretty painful, but it's not that kind of pain that worries me, it's the pain (and especially the ugliness) of ingrown hairs later on. Do you find epilating is better or worse than waxing and/or shaving in that regard?

[Guest]

In the cycling community the consensus is that waxing lasts longer but shaving is cheaper and more convenient. After some time on HRT you will not have to shave as much. Pre HRT I was shaving every 3 days. I’ve been shaving my legs for almost 20 years and it’s just another part of my morning routine. 

[JustineM]

I’ll epilate occasionally. I’ve found that if you use a scrub on your legs about every other day and lotion it minimizes the ingrown hairs. As always ymmv but it works for me.

[Ticket For Epic]

I'm a ginger with sensitive skin.   Shave at the end of your shower, after everything has softened up.  Exfoliate first and remember that it take less pressure than you think.  I also found that a shave cream works better for me than a shave foam.  And don't stretch or pull your skin, that's a recipe for in grown hairs.  If you are going to go against the grain for that ultra smooth feel, do it on the second pass when there will be less friction and resistance.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[Marcie Jensen]

7 hours ago, Betty K said:

Also, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my hair grows back about as quickly after Nair as it does after shaving. Maybe a day later, if that.

 

I feel as if my days of using Nair are numbered. I've heard the some of the horror stories Jackie is citing too. I certainly don't see it as a long-term solution.

Me, too @Betty K. Frankly, I'm done with nair on the chest. I've started electrolysis. It hurts a bit, but it's so worth it.

[Betty K]

2 hours ago, Marcie Jensen said:

I've started electrolysis.

 

I have my first appointment next week. But I understand it may take years to achieve lasting all-over results, so I guess I’m stuck in the meantime.

[Sorourke]

Thanks Kitty and everyone yep I think I will get rid of the nair, it’s too risky, the way I do my legs is in the shower with conditioner sometimes and then go from my legs to all over followed by moisturising lotion before drying off. I have an epilator and have used on legs but you really have to build yourself up to use it as it is quite painful by pain is beauty I guess 😀

thanks everyone hugs Stefi 

[Sorourke]

So sorry Betty got mixed up with your name 😔 apologies Stefi

[Marcie Jensen]

1 hour ago, Betty K said:

 

I have my first appointment next week. But I understand it may take years to achieve lasting all-over results, so I guess I’m stuck in the meantime.

True, but multiple factors are involved including, but limited to: the amount  of body hair you have, whether or not you've started HRT and how long you've been on it, whether your hair is coarse or fine and it's color.

[Sol]

Hello!

My advice on leg shaving (when I actually cared enough to do it), would be to use shaving cream or soap (either is fine), and I've only used women's razors, which usually have a guard or other feature above the blade. I've never used men's razors, so I think that's up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

Shave from the ankle up, and start in the middle before going left or right. Rinse the blade after each pass, and go slowly to get all the hairs. Sitting on the floor or side of the tub is best, because then you can rinse the blade easily and it's better than standing. Also, don't put pressure on the blade. Let it rest on your skin and drag and it'll do the work. For me, it helps to shave my calves and knees, and then my thighs. Separating into sections made it easier for me.

Hope this helps!

[Sorourke]

Thanks Sol 😀 that’s a great help

[StephieGurl]

I use an Aldi generic of bic 3. However, I had bought bic 3 and it was horrible ,tilted I stay with the Aldi one. I shave in the shower using oil of olay body wash. I shave up and down, and at angle on my they and hips. Also do my breast and abdomen, arms too. After 2.5 years on hrt my hair has finally slow down, so shaving is not needed as often. But, an essential part of my routine is   using body lotion preferable shea butter and almond oil. My skin feels soft and smooth.

[awkward-yet-sweet]

I'm not a shaver of any part of myself...my fur grows thin and fine and isn't an issue.  But some in my family use razors.  One of the most cheap and successful have been a 1950's style double safety razor.  You can get a stainless steel handle on Amazon for less than $10, and it will be good for a lifetime. 

 

The blades are phenomenally cheap compared to others.  The handle isn't disposable, leaving only thin metal blades and a tiny amount of paper wrapping to get rid of or recycle.  I like not filling the planet with trash.  We use Astra brand blades.  Currently available on Amazon in packs of 100 for $10 a box.  Dirt cheap compared to other things.  Our older boxes seem to have been made in Russia, but now they look to be made in the US. 

 

For shaving cream or lubricant, normal soap.  Get a boar bristle brush (buy online for $5 and lasts several years).  Rub the brush while wet over a bar of soap, or even leftover soap chips.  So much cheaper than a shaving soap.  I watch my husband do this daily, and if it works for his face I'm sure it could work for legs, armpits, or wherever. 

 

Lots of people are spending way too much on shaving products, when a simple combination can let you shave all year long for less than the cost of lunch. 

 

 

[lillyinmn]

On 2/5/2022 at 4:42 PM, Niamh said:

I use one I bought in the UK which is similar to this one on US Amazon - Amazon.com : Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9 9-720, Hair Removal for Women, Wet & Dry, Womens Shaver & Trimmer, Cordless, Rechargeable : Beauty & Personal Care

I bought one of those a while back.  And mentioned in another entry that I could not believe how painful it was.  So I thought I would give up on the idea.

 

Well, I gave it another try.  I got the Braun out thinking I would try the shaver (It came with attachments for epilating and shaving), but decided--why not give the epilator another try as long as I was at it?  I am not sure why my experience is different now, but I think it has something to do with the hair being at different lengths when I tried it again.  It was much less painful.  And My lower legs are definitely smoother now.  I think regular attacks with the epilator (like once or twice a week) gets at hairs that are at different stages of growth--so less discomfort.  There is virtually no discomfort when I run it over my lower legs now.  I think there is more hair on my upper legs, so I think it will take a little longer to get results that will be satisfying over the long term.  

 

I guess that means that it was worth giving it a second try!