Consider how much of your legs and above will be visible to other people. Are you going to be wearing shorts in the near future? Do you change clothes in locker rooms frequently? Is someone special going to be seeing you naked? If you’re shaving for aesthetic reasons (dancing, bodybuilding, modeling, or plain old preference), you will most likely want a very smooth shave along your entire legs and possibly your genitals and rear as well. [2] X Research source If it’s for a practical purpose, like swimming, running, or preparing for medical treatment, you don’t have to worry so much about how you look. However, depending on how long you plan to keep your legs shaved, you still may want to consider their appearance if this is going to be a long-term practice.
If you live in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors for miles, feel free to take care of your private areas in the great outdoors, too. If not, retreat inside once your legs are done and then finish up with a towel spread on the floor to catch the falling hairs. If you’re only shaving your legs for athletics, this step alone may suffice for your purposes. [4] X Research source Depending on how thorough you wish to be, this may also be all you need to do as far your private areas go. Remove the groomer’s skin guard for the closest shave possible.
Pay special attention to your thighs and any other sensitive area. If a shower is unavailable, wash, exfoliate, and rinse your skin with a bowl of water. Then wrap your legs with warm, wet towels and let them hydrate your skin for a couple of minutes.
Rinse the blades under hot water before you start. This will lubricate them and provide a smoother shave.
Although you could also use the tub to catch your hairs when you first trim them with the scissors or electric groomer as part of your prep, these longer hairs are more likely to clog your drain.
If this is your first time, shaving both legs will probably take a while. To keep your lather from drying out, break each leg up into parts (left calf, right calf, etc. ). Only lather the area that you plan to start with. Then, once that area has been shaved, lather and shave the next, and so on. [10] X Research source For best results, pick a product that is rich in lubricants and moisturizers. Avoid lower-tier brands that create excessive foam.
Thicker areas will likely clog and/or dull your razor right from the start. Starting with the thinnest patches of hairs will probably extend a blade’s usefulness. Unlike shaving your face, you will be dealing with areas that are hard to see. [11] X Research source Also, if you are shaving your genitals along with your legs, you undoubtedly want to treat these with extra care. If you tend to rush projects as you approach the end, start with these more delicate tasks and leave the easy stuff for later.
To avoid nicks, razor bumps, and irritation, shave with the grain, in the direction that your hair grows. But if what you want is the closest shave possible, shave against the grain. [14] X Research source Use a handheld mirror to see what you’re doing when you reach the back of your thighs and higher. [15] X Research source
Always rinse off before shaving again. Minimize clogging your razor with hairs that have already been shaved, or being fooled into thinking that they are hairs you missed the first time.
Use a moisturizer designed specifically for men. Since men’s skin typically produces more natural oils than women’s, using women’s products may lead to clogged pores. Continue to moisturize your skin daily to avoid irritation as your hairs grow back. [21] X Research source
