So you have a safety razor in your hand, but before you take it to your legs, there are some important steps to follow to ensure a safe and effective shave.
This guide will walk you through all the necessary steps to achieve smooth and hair-free legs using a safety razor. Let’s dive into the details.
7 Steps to Shave Your Legs with a Safety Razor
Here’s a step-by-step guide on shaving your legs with a safety razor:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prep Your Legs |
| 2 | Apply Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap |
| 3 | Position the Safety Razor |
| 4 | Don’t Press Down |
| 5 | Begin Shaving |
| 6 | Rinse and Repeat |
| 7 | Apply Aftercare |
1. Prep Your Legs
To ensure a smooth and painless shave, it’s important to prepare your legs. You should exfoliate your legs using a scrub or an exfoliating glove to remove any dead skin cells. Then, take a warm shower or soak your legs in warm water for a few minutes to open up the pores and soften the hair.
The warm water helps to reduce skin irritation and the chances of developing razor bumps.
2. Apply Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap
While many folks will use a pre-shave oil to add an extra layer of protection and glide, it’s not essential. However, the application of a high-quality shaving cream or shaving soap is.
We recommend ditching the canned creams and instead opting for traditional shaving soap or cream, which provides a richer lather and better protection for your skin. Don’t worry, they aren’t always chock full of super masculine scents; there are plenty of neutral or even feminine-scented options available on the market.
Using a shave brush, work up a lather in a shaving bowl or directly on your leg, ensuring that you cover the entire area you intend to shave. The lather should be thick and slick enough to provide a protective layer between the razor and your skin. Make sure the lather isn’t too runny, as this could reduce the effectiveness of the shave and increase the risk of nicks, cuts, and irritation.
3. Position the Safety Razor
Here’s where a lot of people make mistakes when first using a safety razor. Unlike cartridge razors, safety razors require a specific angle and pressure to ensure a close and comfortable shave. 30-degrees has been widely accepted as the ideal angle for a safety razor.
To find the correct angle, place the razor’s head flat against your leg, with the handle parallel to the floor. Gently tilt the handle down until the blade is just touching your skin. This should result in that sweet spot of around 30 degrees. We talk about it more in this post if you’d like a deeper understanding.
Lastly, practicing this angle without actually shaving can help you get a feel for the proper alignment.
4. Don’t Press Down
In addition to getting the angle right, it’s crucial not to apply too much pressure while shaving with a safety razor. Unlike cartridge razors that have a pivoting head designed to apply pressure automatically, safety razors require a gentler touch.
Allow the weight of the razor to do the work for you, using minimal to no pressure as you glide it over your skin. Applying too much pressure can lead to nicks, cuts, and irritation.
5. Begin Shaving
Start shaving your legs, making sure to follow the direction of hair growth (also known as a shaving ‘with the grain’). This prevents irritation and the chances of developing razor bumps or ingrown hairs. Focus on areas such as ankles, knees, and the bikini area, being extra cautious around the contours.
Try to keep the strokes short and don’t apply too much pressure — let the weight of the razor do the work.
6. Rinse and Repeat
After each stroke, rinse the razor under running water to clean off any hair and shaving lather caught in the blades. Repeat this process until you’ve shaved all the areas you want to.
7. Apply Aftercare
Once you’re done shaving, rinse your legs with cool water to close the pores. Gently pat your legs dry with a towel and apply a moisturizing after-shave balm, butter, or body lotion to soothe and hydrate your skin. This helps to prevent razor burn and keeps the skin moisturized.
Tips for Shaving Your Legs with a Safety Razor
Here are some additional tips that can help to improve your leg shaving experience:
- Replace the Blade Regularly: Always use a sharp blade to get a clean and effortless shave. Depending on how often you’re shaving, you should aim to replace your razor blade every 3-7 shaves.
- Take Your Time: Shaving with a safety razor is not something you should rush. Take your time and make sure to stretch the skin out a bit for a closer shave.
- Avoid Going Against The Grain: While it may be a popular practice to shave against the direction of hair growth for a closer shave, it increases the chances of developing razor burn, irritation, and ingrown hair.
- Use A Pre-Shave Oil: To further soften hair and help the blade glide smoothly over the skin, consider applying a pre-shave oil before the shaving cream or soap.
- To Heal Cuts or Nicks: In case you accidentally nick yourself during shaving, apply an alum block or a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding and promote healing.
- Clean Your Razor: After each use, take the time to clean your razor thoroughly to prevent buildup, rust, and to keep it in optimal condition. Disassemble the safety razor and rinse each part under warm water, using a soft brush or cloth if necessary to remove any soap or hair residue.